McCain's Panic in PA, More Than Just Ugly

The panic whipped up by the McCain campaign in PA sounds horrific because of the ugliness and hate that it pours into the election, but the real threat it poses is to our ability to get things done.  If John McCain were to win the election by kicking up enough anti-Muslim, anti-African-American, anti-Liberal, conspiracy theory rage--he would have transformed the country into utter chaos in the process.  Such a campaign--if victorious--would push our civic culture beyond the point where it was able to recover and function. And under such conditions, McCain would ultimately preside over a nation capable of little more than pitchforks and torches.

More and more it seems that John McCain has bet the farm on winning Pennsylvania by turning the race as ugly as possible, which means abandoning all pretense of healthy civic exchange.  The results are disquieting.  In recent days, a Republican group circulated an email claiming that a vote for Obama was tantamount to enabling the rise of Hitler and would lead to a 'second Holocaust.'   Can it get worse than that?   Apparently, it can.  At a rally in Pottsville, McCain supporters gather in a threatening mob shouting 'Terrorist!' 'Communist!' 'Child Killer!'  and openly call for the death of Sen. McCain's opponent.  As high profile Republicans endorse Obama and reject the politics of bigotry and violence, McCain continues to stoke the rage in Pennsylvania in some vain hope that the destruction of democratic culture in one state will win him the chance to lead the country.

(video credit: www.keystoneprogress.org)

Everybody should watch this video.  As disturbing as it is to see McCain supporters in Pennsylvania shout horrific and violent epithets about Sen. Obama, the sad reality is that videos shot at McCain rallies have become the key political symbols of the 2008 political race. 

Either one walks away from watching these videos disgusted, or one walks away believing the voices of those shouting.  The middle ground has vanished. 

As the 2008 race winds down, McCain's cynical campaign in Pennsylvania and other close states has succeeded in undermining any semblance of debate over real problems in America.  In shouting violent epithets, the McCain supporters in Pottsville have abandoned any interest in real problems, choosing instead to tilt at windmills.  Is America in real danger of a Manchurian candidate seizing hold of the White House by hiding his true identity from billions of people the world over for decades?  Sadly, that is not even the real question that concerns the country.  What we should all be asking is:  Can we afford to waste even one more second on useless bigotry and fear that does nothing but prevent us from working together to solve real problems?

The answer is a resounding: No!

Imagine what it would mean for the United States and the world if the mob politics of McCain's campaign were to dominate the next 8 years.   It would ruin this country--destroy it every level. 

A victory for McCain delivered by an enraged campaign mob would shatter any and all possibility for deliberative democracy.  Democratic government based on conversation would give way to rule by mobilizing panic. If victory comes at the hands of rage and panic, governing by the same is quick to follow. 

What a world it would be.  A world completely devoid of solutions to any of the problems we face.  A world without healthcare.  A world without retirement security.  A world without effective education.  A world without renewable energy.  A world not fueled by optimism and American pragmatism, but by constant, never ending alarm.

The McCain campaign panic Americans see in Pennsylvania is more than just a window onto an ugly side of American life.  It is a warning.

© 2008 Jeffrey Feldman, Frameshop

Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman

Comments

[hopefulinpa]

It's a shame that those biggots will benefit from an Obama presidency. How can anyone be so ill informed. I guess they aren't. I think those people are as upset about the last 8 years as we are only their fear has turned into misguided hate which McCain is fueling. I hope McCain also gets kicked out of the Senate when this is all over. It is a pretty sad thing for McCain when ranking Republicans are outwardly endorsing Obama. McCain is a pathetic figure. I truely pity him. He is not even going to face his campaign works and followers to give his consesion speech. What a coward. Bush will go down in history as the worst president and McCain will go down in history as having run the worst, most hate filled campaign in history. Some legacy guys!

[Ignatz88]

That was very, very upsetting. Especially to see kids just spewing hate. Elders who should know better talking explicitly about violent action against Obama. Is this the legacy that John McCain wants to leave behind? I have two teenage kids and I want them to watch this video. We can make fun of Sarah Palin all we want, but this is real and not an SNL skit.

[llisa]

Several of my Republican friends have expressed their shame and embarrassment over what their party has become.

I know if the Democratic party was inspiring this sort of hatred and bigotry, I would no longer be a part of it.

[truesteam]

I don't want to sound racist....But, is my slip showing?

All I can do is cry. I hate that this issue of racism is still around for my children to deal with.
These animals feel perfectly OK speaking of his death. What has happened in these people's lives that they would feel such hate? Why do they see themselves as so weak and threatened? They are like cornered raccoons.

[LisaLisa1234]

I'll betcha the guy saying "Bomb Obama" is a deacon in his church. Sorry, but it's very likely.

[truesteam]

It is definitely possible. My Grandpa very religious, very bigoted, very sad.

[CIgarCityGirl]

Has anyone noticed that all the signs held by Obama supporters are FOR Obama? While most of the McCain supporter signs and slogans are anti-Obama--not pro-McCain? Obviously, they do not support their candidate. They have nothing positive to hold on to...They are running in fear from the change that Obama promises.

How sad for them. It must be hard living in "their" country.

[Cyano]

McCain who?

[LisaLisa1234]

Very good observation.

[jobecky20]

I wonder if these people will even bother voting. Hope not...I don't want any violence to break out on November 4. These people scare the crap out me...I am so lucky to be voting in Durham, NH, where most voters are pro-Obama and the McCain supporters are civilized at least. I bet if many Republicans could see this video, they might change their vote to Obama. A lot of Republicans do not wish to be associated with the mob mentality.

[MillsOnLiberty]

I expect to get flamed, but here is another example of violence from the left.

Obama Supporter Assaults Female McCain Volunteer in New York

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/obama-supporter-assaults-female-mccain-volunteer-in-new-york/

[truesteam]

No flame.
Just a- you're kidding me, right?

[rfk68]

I'd give you the benefit of the doubt, but it's hard to take naked people seriously.

[AZBunny]

NEVER NEVER NEVER have Obama supporters at a rally called out for violene against McCain. Get the difference?

[enlighteninglad]

If this is even a true story, there is no video, a singular incident of a nutjob is hardly a reason to label all "libs" as this crazy especially as compared to this horrible display of intolerance. There may not have been violence but if this keeps up there surely will be. Of course, you'll say that the left started it and justify the actions of those you agree with.

[Fabienne]

These people are, nonetheless, a small minority of the population. Cain and Unable are bringing them out of the woodwork, to be sure, but there aren't very many of them, and once Obama is elected, they will be marginalized. I don't want to use the cliche about crawling back under the rock from which they came, but how else to explain such lack of information or misinformation in this interconnected world?

[jobecky20]

Cain and Unable? That is PERFECT!

[kmich718]

Write McCain - write Ed Rendell! Let them know how you feel! I just did!!! This can not take place.. this will lead to violence against each other. Stand up now and say NO!

[kmich718]

We have to write McCain and tell him how we feel! Unite! Do not let this happen! We should also write to the Govenor of Pennsylvania to call for calm and unity!

http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/

Ed Rendell's email page:

http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html

[ThePeacemakers]

MoveOn should take the Rev. Wright audio and as video should play the Ashley chick, people in the video above and the two youngsters arrested the other day for threatening violence....

Check. Mate.

[eljodio]

Actually, this isn't ugly at all. Stupid, desperate, maybe even sad. The problem for us liberals is that reality is a vast and complex thing. For conservatives, reality is what they say it is. Think how comforting that is. Ideas don't matter, arguments don't matter, and reality certainly doesn't matter. Hey, just vote for the white and you've voted on the side of truth and justice. McCain and Palin really ought to be ashamed about the kind of supporters they have. When you think about it, they can say anything, anything at all and they'll still win votes. Because so many of their supporters are voting for the white guy. In short, McCain is irrelevant, Palin is irrelevant, what's relevant is "what," they are, which is white, and not what they believe. In most parts of the world, ideas have no colour, but in America they do.

[ConCreteHead]

This must be the part of PA Frank Murtha was referring to !!!

[LisaMarieC]

Oh, god. This makes me sick. And the kids these people are inoculating with the same hatred. Unbelievable. I'm really scared.

[kjzraik]

This soooo illustrates one distrubing fact. While Obama continues to attract large crowds, McCain deliberatly draws mobs.

[AliHajiSheik]

I don't want to sound racist but...here's some racist stuff coming out of my mouth.

[LisaLisa1234]

LOL!!!