"That One": McCain's Use of Dehumanization as Hate-Speech

When McCain uses dehumanizing phrases like "that one" to refer to Barack Obama, he is implementing long-standing military techniques for dehumanizing one's opponent during wartime. But this is NOT a war, and McCain's behavior in this context is beyond irresponsible and amounts to hate speech.

According to military wisdom, dehumanization is a necessary technique during wartime because it enables human beings to kill other human beings without hesitation in combat situations.

Think about that.

Now, think about that in the context of an election in a country where racism is still prevalent and McCain's opponent is the first black presidential nominee in our nation's history.

When McCain refuses to look at Barack Obama and refuses to use his name, he is employing modified versions of this same technique -- and versions that could be said to fall on the acceptable side of the line of strategic judgment. But when McCain tolerates expressions of "Kill him!" targeted at Barack Obama during pro-McCain political rallies, he steps over the line -- very, very far over the line.

When McCain and his surrogates, including prominently Sarah Palin, discuss Obama as someone who is allegedly friends with a "terrorist" -- they are not just utilizing the technique of dehumanization -- they are building an entire narrative based upon it. It is impossible in this culture not to be aware that "terrorist" is currently synonymous of someone deserving death or political assassination. McCain knows that, Palin knows that, and the McCain campaign strategists know that.

The reports in the media of the epithets used by McCain supporters toward Obama and of those same supporters harassment of media representatives show the degree to which the use of this kind of strategy can quickly develop a mob mentality.

McCain continuously cites his experience as a POW during the Vietnam War as a reason why he is qualified for the Presidency. No doubt techniques such as dehumanization helped McCain survive his period of captivity -- and they were appropriate in that context. However, they are NOT appropriate for use in non-combat situations -- and are particularly frightening when applied against fellow American citizens.

It is common for survivors of trauma, such as being held in captivity and tortured as McCain was as a POW, to revert in periods of stress to the use of the defenses that helped the survive the trauma. As we have all watched his behavior devolve over the past few weeks, McCain appears to be demonstrating such a reversion.

In doing so, he is using what can only be described as hate-speech to inflame emotions and to pour gasoline on the embers of racial animosity in the United States. While we all have respect for McCain's service to his country in the past, what he is doing now is unconscionable and anti-American.

Someone needs to remind John McCain that he is not in the jungle anymore.

Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Town Hall Debate from HuffPost
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Comments

[SavvySigma]

I'm really glad to see someone else making such a strong point about all this stuff! You make a great point. AND, I am SO worried about what this is doing to the hearts and minds of his supporters who are growing increasingly threatening, not only to Obama, but also to black people in general. (I'm thinking of the story where a black camera man had something thrown at him).
I realize that Obama has tried to stay out of most of the race talk, but I do feel that he should come out strongly against this behavior because of the hostility these comments are stirring up.

[Adam11]

THAT ONE. got my Vote


That One/Biden08

[Leah McElrath Renna - Huffpost Blogger]

Interestingly, as noted elsewhere on this site, McCain recently used the phrase "my fellow prisoners" when he meant to say (we can assume) "my fellow citizens":

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/08/mccain-calls-americans-hi_n_133037.html

Which does appear to support the idea that his history of trauma is having an impact on his current behavior under stress.

[Bigjonsey]

The election strategy of republicans is like penicillin. The more frequently it is used. The more immuned we become to it's effects.

[malmond]

Great post!
There is an important point that no one (I've read so far) has pointed out. While Palan and McCain continue the dangerous and criminal smear campaign-one based on guilty by association-they don't seem to have any trouble with certain nasty, criminal, violent, and dangerous supporters of theirs who yell out "Kill him" at Palan speeches (refering to Obama). Why do I say they are associates? Because to date no one in the Palan/McCain campaign has done anything to stop them or speak out after the fact (assuming Palan couldn't hear at the time). This is serious business. Threats are being made to kill a US Senator and likely future President of the USA. How ironic and hypocritical can they get.

[DixieMelody]

Testimonies regarding the infamous, chest-poking, McCain temper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAyK-enrF1g

[Leah McElrath Renna - Huffpost Blogger]

This is quite an extraordinary video - thank you for posting it.

[FiveFortyOne]

I would advise anyone dismissing this author's conclusions to spend some time browsing an anti-Obama blog (there are many!) There is a lot of strong irrational fear of Obama. Whether or not they are doing it deliberately, the McCain campaign is stirring it. This can't be healthy.

[Cathyv]

"That one." I picked up on it as soon as it was said. It struck me as rude and condescending, and came from an experienced politician who prides himself, as he's reminded us so many times, on 'reaching across the aisle" to get things done for his country. Calling his opponent, who is also a Senator, "That one." detracts from McCain's vaunted ability and desire to compromise.

You don't have to like everyone you work with, but you do have to treat everyone with respect if you want to get anything done. The GOP flounders because of ta blatant lack of respect for their Democratic opponent. I was leaning toward McCain; now, I just see an ambitions man with no plan, waving the flag, touting his ability "to reach across the aisle". branding himself as a 'maverick'. That's his campaign strategy.

Obama seems more composed, and, as everyone say, 'presidential'. I don't think his plans for universal health care are much more feasible than McCains. Taxes - I'd like to hear more of the plan and see a full analysis of the affects of it. Iraq - a quagmire; he will be surprised to find American troops still in Iraq in 8 years.

Top issues:

1) Economy/Regulation of money handlers.
2) Iraq/Afghanistan
3) Deficit, Deficit, Deficit.
4) Energy - Alternative
5) Universal Health care - this topic covers medicare/medicaid
6) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
7) Social Security

[ohioan73]

Its uplifting to see how far the racial paradigms are shifting. Its great to know that bigotry is becoming less and less tolerable as the years tick by. Its happening at an astounding rate since the dawn of the 21st century and I believe it has a lot to do with our ability to globally communicate with people from the comfort of our living rooms. The more we know each other across state, national, local, and international lines, the less likely we are to form negative opinions about each other's races, religions etc...

Welcome to the New United States of America. We don't coddle hatemongers. As long as we have a hatemongering administration, the world will never see how far we have come and we will continue to be branded as sadistic racists who hate Muslims.

[BAVirago]

This is a terrific analysis of the dehumanizing tactics employed by McCain and Palin. I'm surprised at the resistance to your ideas. McCain likely does suffer from PTSD (as many Vietnam veteran POWs admit to having) and he is under stress at this time, leading him to regress to the same tactics used and mentality he had as a POW.

Too, the McCain campaign is definitely employing racist attacks against Senator Obama. (For example, they call him "elite" when they really mean "uppity" or they say he's too "cosmopolitan" which means "urban" which itself is a euphemism for African-American or, as the kids today say "ghetto.") Denial (by McCain or by those commenting here) does not remove the taint of racism. I think that people are so willing to write McCain a pass because they themselves want a pass for their own racist behavior.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

I think you're absolutely right -- I watched the debate with an African American colleague and he likened the tone to fomenting a lynch mob -- Palin and McCain are playing with dangerous forces channeling people's anger and fear at Obama or other sources, fomenting calls for violence -- I've seen that movie, it's called the Weimar Republic.

[Leah McElrath Renna - Huffpost Blogger]

Joseph, thanks so much for posting. I appreciate your perspective.

[bkgrizz80]

I listen to how easy Gov.Palin belittles Sen. Obama and I can only wonder what her relationship with the minority citizens is like in her home state is like? Can anybody get back to me on that? How do they veiw her?

[Nommo]

Through a lens, darkly.

[SimonAronoff]

McCain has a history of using racial slurs. Sadly, last night's was mild compared to his, "I hate the gooks" comment widely reported on back in February (McCain refused to apologize). He was referring to his former prison guards specifically, but, as it was well put by Diane Chin of Chinese for Affirmative Action: "The use of a racist slur can't be acceptable for any national leader, regardless of his background. For someone running for president not to recognize the power of words is a problem." Clearly, this remains a problem for McCain.

[Leah McElrath Renna - Huffpost Blogger]

Excellent point, Simon. Thank you for your comments.

[DixieMelody]

Oh, McCain and his handlers recognize the power of words alright.

These latest rabble-rousing, hate-filled, dehumanize Obama speeches seem to me to be overtly spewed forth with the thinly veiled hope that someone who hears the mud being slung will be motivated to do actual physical harm to Obama.

If ever there was a time to man-up and issue an apology on behalf of McCain/Palin supporters, it was yesterday when the crowd was chanting "terrorist" and "Muslim," and then the booming voice rang out from the crowd with the chilling words, "Kill him."

But no apology will come from that camp, ever, as evidenced by Palin's look of glee when it happened and by the dehumanizing tactics still being used by McCain toward Obama at the debate last night.

[kimest3e]

Thank you for your post Leah. I wholeheartedly agree.

[DaOne]

If anything happens to O, God forbid, the incitement leads directly to the McSame/Palin campaign tactics.

[apauline]

If anything happens to Senator Obama, GOD forbid, the incitements will lead directly to McCain, Palin, Sean Hannity, Karl Rove, Steve Schmidt, Dick Morris, Joe Liberman, Nicolle Wallace, Carly Fiorini, Joe Scarbough, Pat Bucannan, Cindy McCain and other republicans that will do and/or say anything to get Senator McCain elected. I have never witnessed anything like this, I am frightened by their behavior and constant hate speech. I guess the article in the Rolling Stone about McCain was true, every word of it.