History's Lesson Concerning the Recent Viciousness of McCain/Palin Rallies

A friend stopped me yesterday to say that the McCain/Palin rallies reminded her of the brown shirted fascists in Hitler's time. I reluctantly agreed.

Hatred unleashed in any era, is ugly. McCain is no Hitler but he and Palin are giving their fervent supporters permission, if not downright encouragement, to express their most base emotions, and they are doing it by whipping up fear. When people are afraid, as they were in the days of the economic chaos in the Weimar Republic in Germany they seek scapegoats. Then, it was the Jews.

McCain/Palin do not go so far as to name the scary enemy as an African American, but Barack Obama is clearly the enemy by implication. When Palin, who is the attack pit bull, at the prompting of the McCain handlers, asks "Who is the real Barack Obama?" they got some unexpected answers. The crowd turned from expressing normal campaign enthusiasm into creating an air of chilling menace. "Traitor," "terrorist, "kill him" and "off with his head," they shouted. He is "not one of us", is the message. He has "palled around with terrorists" (in Weimar days, it was the communists). By repeatedly asking "Who is the real Barack Obama?" this desperate Republican team is hinting that he has a hidden agenda -- an agenda that threatens all of us. By making Obama the Other, McCain/Palin are fueling racial paranoia.

It's downright dangerous. When statements that are politically incorrect suddenly become correct and are cheered into hysteria, no one is safe. Not Obama, and not our democracy.

It is time for McCain/Palin to stop whipping their supporters into a frenzy of hatred and tell them to stop. He did so for one moment, when he countered that there is nothing to fear in Barack Obama and Obama promptly thanked him. But Obama's gratitude was premature because a moment later, McCain was at it again, full force, in speeches and in political ads.

The good news is that Palin's numbers are down from six weeks ago. The bad news is that 39 percent of American voters still think she is "qualified to be president," 55 percent believe she is not. Usually when women express anger or turn negative, they loose support. One reason Palin my not be sinking faster is that she is in fact a pit bull who wears not only lipstick, but also a sweet smile as she hurls her nasty diatribes at Obama.

As expected, white women are coming home to the Democratic side. According to the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, married women, usually the most conservative group, (they supported George Bush by 55% in 2004) favor Obama over McCain by 6 points. I always thought that the story line that angry Hillary supporters were either going to stay home or vote for McCain in significant numbers was exaggerated. It turns out a majority of women have common sense. They do not vote on the basis of gender (surprise!) they vote on the issues, they vote on qualifications.

Since 1980 the gender gap has been as high as 10%. In 2008, the gender gap may determine the outcome of this election because women vote in greater numbers than men and women tend to vote in larger numbers for Democrats.

There is evidence that women are more turned off than men by the vicious attacks we've seen in the last week. If all this holds true, women hold the key to this election.

Madeleine M. Kunin is the former Governor of Vermont and was the state's first woman governor. She served as Ambassador to Switzerland for President Clinton, and was on the three-person panel that chose Al Gore to be Clinton's VP. She is the author of Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead from Chelsea Green Publishing.

Comments

[perclidestide]

Oh my God, this is one of the saddest political epics to ever explode on the public spectacle. The McCain /Palin ticket is behaving in such a shameful manner--eager to display of uncivility in this very important political discourse. The fact that both McCain and Palin want to be Preseident/Vice President respectively is horrifying. They are inciting the basest actions and whims of ordinary, but gullible Americans.

[Pupadup4oBama]

"The party of Abraham Lincoln"
Do they REALLY think he would be proud of the way they are handling themselves?
Does McCane think Teddy Roosevelt or dare I say even RR would be proud (his supposed heros). RR was so angry with JM when he left his first wife - he and Nancy never really spoke to him again.

[imagram3785]

McCain and Palin both need to be reprimanded by the leaders of the Republican party for unethical unAmerican campaign tactics. Republicans should refuse to acknowledge them as their chosen candidates if this outrageous crowd-baiting behavior continues. We don't need a War-happy President and a Winky VP...thanks, but no thanks.

[rpd123]

Actually, the leaders of the Republican Party not only condone this, but probably encourage it as well.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Actually I think a lot of them are very much against him and many have come out and said so...its just the few neocons that are the most vocal it seems (guess it makes for better ratings).

[somedork]

I'm afraid to say that the "brownshirts" comparison is not so far-fetched. As I write here:

http://www.somedork.com/daily-ramblings/the-end-of-the-usa-as-we-know-it/
The End of the USA as We Know It

our country is in a fascist-oriented trend. If you follow the conspiracy theories explored in that blog-post, you will hopefully come away concerned for our liberties.

[VSamuels]

The racist nutcase Sean Hannity has been pushing many of the themes I've notice that the McCain/Palin ticket has been using lately. The issues have become secondary to pushing fear, hate and ignorance; but it is a good sign when one sees West Virginia go from solid McCain to leaning.

[sandrarita]

I think Obama is doing just fine, so I don't know why people are beating a dead horse and continue to add fuel to the fire. McCain's 'swift boat' tactics and smear and fear are what the Republicans do as a matter of course in elections, only this time, it is not working and actually is working against them. Americans have wisened up to Republicans, see them for what they are. The only ones that are fueled by the smear and fear are the only ones left in McCain's base at this point: right wing rabid extremists, neocon thugs, religious fundamentalists and the sheep who can be frightened and herded as McCain's camp sees fit. There is nothing you can do to keep 'this type' in check except with the threat of riot control in case of violence. It is better that they are out from under the carpet rather than slithering around in hate filled rooms - waiting to spawn another Timothy McVeigh. I would imagine that 'moderate' Republicans do not attend rallies like this, and in fact, are jumping ship from McCain faster than the Titanic.

[Heartlight3]

There may be nothing you can do to keep these people in check, but using incendiary language and whipping them up into a frenzy certainly doesn't help. I'll be surprised if there is not violence before this election is over if they keep this up.

[Nutri1Max]

Women are better able to see through the syrupy smiles to the toxic nature beneath. We've all seen it before. I still find some women who say "Oh, she's just a mom," but they are extremely rare.

[cyclewerker]

Essentially, the republicans are going to realize after this election, that the Nixon strategies that have worked well for the last 40 years, of demonizing the opponent by any means possible, of playing the pretend game of who's more commoner, just doesn't work any more. Nixon, for all his faults was an intelligent man, Palin is his disasterous legacy.

Except for those fundamentally opposed to having anyone but an old privileged white guy and the woefully uninformed, the country is in fact moving towards the 21st century, and both sides expect candidates that can move us there, hence Obama's appeal to the moderate right.
I am a registered independent, who constantly hopes that a republican will innovate, and deliver on liberal social issues, while being fiscally conservative, and creating a thriving economy...­unfortunat­ely, the repubs have slipped more and more into scary niche rhetoric, that plays to fear.

President Obama will be awesome, I can only hope that the democrats are able to truly rescue this country once they are in office, and that they aren't tied up due to the economic collapse...

[kayatarms]

My comment disappeared?

[missionimpossible]

For some reason I try to post at times, and POOF!!

[PhantomAviator]

..

Certain words make your post go away. If I listed them, this reply would go away.

.

[brenner21]

Essential reading: should be passed out to all students and young people voting in their first election.

[AndSoItGoes]

The Republicans have become despicable and dishonorable. It hopefully will cost them the election.
For a retired military officer to take such a dishonorable tack just to win an election speaks volumes about his character and values.Cannot imagine what the military is thinking when they are serving to protect this country and are risking their lives for us, and McCain / Palin are working to set the country back a century with their hateful tactics. This is so very wrong.

[Hastings]

The criticism of Barack Obama has been very mild compared to the vicious attacks on John McCain and Gov. Palin. Don't believe me, just read this website on a daily basis.

[LAcarlito]

So comments about Obama on this website are criticisms while comments about McCain are attacks...your choice of words are interesting. Your phrasing makes you sound a bit bitter.

[Hastings]

Not bitter, just truthful.

[Gidster]

It is the typical "I'm a victim" rationale.

McCain and Palin fabricated their campaign information. They lied in their political attacks on Obama.
When that did not work they turned mean; attempting to call every aspect and interaction in his career, his patriotism and even his citizenship into question long after these allegations were proven false.

Criticize all you want to, there are many here that actually prefer spirited debate, there are some that are a bit rabid in their enthusiasm, but to call the slander and smears and rumor "criticism" is a bit disingenuous.

[Hastings]

What slander? What smears and rumor? What lies? How are they being mean? Barack Obama built his political career by befriending and becoming politically allied with every major radical left icon in Chicago. Since the day he announced his candidacy for President and hid Rev. Wright in the basement Barack Obama has been running from who he really is so fast that one would think he is trying to qualify for the Olympics. why?

[Melissa]

I was a Hillary supporter who is voting for McCain. I can guarantee you I am not alone. I am really tired of all the race nonsense on CNN and MSNBC.

[missionimpossible]

As a White Independent, I could care less about race. McCain lost me when he picked an ignoramus for Vice President. I am tired of folksy Presidents. I want deep thinkers, not folk heroes.

[blahdiblah]

What was the most important reason you supported Hillary?

[rpd123]

Knock yourself out.

[sandrarita]

Typical Republican - shoot someone in the face and then blame then for being in front of them when they fire the gun. McCain is the one that came out of the gate with a dishonorable, hate-filled, lie-filled campaign. Obama has been tolerant and patient, and has attacked McCain's policies not the man. McCain's attacks have been against the man. McCain should be thankful that Obama is not of his ilk because there would be a lot of smear and fear against McCain. However, Obama has more honor and integrity than it would appear that McCain has at this point. Palin is a non issue right now - she's out of here and so will McCain be soon.

[kayatarms]

Thank you for honest diatribe. I was watching Larry King and appalled that Ben Stein just said he has seen nothing racial whatsoever in the Rage duo's campaign, I am still shaking my head with my mouth open? This is why we are like we are,,and Ben is jewish..what planet is he on, my jewish friends are appalled at these hate fest rallies! Imagine these rallies and the chants...close your eyes and imagine during the screaming frenzy....Obama walks in the arena without his secret service...right ..I open my eyes too! Everyone really needs to watch Keith Olberman's Special Comment on this one, including BEN STEIN!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/14/olbermann-special-comment_n_134714.html

When they came for me, there was no one left to speak for me!

[AndSoItGoes]

Watched both this evening. Keith Olbermann's Comment was excellent and right on point.
Ben Stein has been on Glenn Beck alot when Beck started to really go after Obama. It is really a shame. Much of what I saw was taken out of context and misrepresented. Needless to say, I stopped watching that program months ago.

[LAcarlito]

Ben sold out to the Creationism crowd quite a while ago. Though he continues to walk the walk as a Jew, he is a knuckle-dragging Republican first as that is who pays his bills. Check out his latest movie.

[sandrarita]

I am Jewish, and I am disgusted with Jews like LIeberman who has sold out to the Republican sleeze machine. NOt that the fact that he is Jewish should matter. He is just an ambitious cretan who has sold his soul down the river because he also thought McCain would win. If he survives any rebids for his Senate seat, he will be relegated to the back of the room - serves him right.

[AndSoItGoes]

The Republicans have become dishonorable, despicable, and disgraceful. Palin is too young to remember the racial violence of the sixties. McCain should know better. Any self respecting individual who served in the military to defend this country's freedoms which include all are created equal, should absolutely be ashamed of himself. A tactic such as interjecting racial violence into the campaign just to win an election is goes beyond reasonable intellect and moral values. I can't imagine what our current military is thinking when they are risking their lives to protect this country and McCain / Palin are working to set this country back a century.
The Republican Party for a variety of reasons is done after this election. John McCain can take personal responsibility for most of it. Palin, ... she just doesn't care. Like she said yesterday in a radio interview, she has nothing to lose.

[Mull]

I recently read a book called The Tipping Point. It attempts to explain why people who consider themselves moral and ethical make immoral and unethical decisions. He imagines a person standing at the top of a pyramid. A choice needs to me made, nothing that seems to important. Perhaps you are a politician and a lobbyist asks you to lunch. You think you will go but not allow them to influence you. Afterward, you realize on some level that this is a bad decision. However, you think of yourself as a good person. To admit this was a bad decision is to say you are not as good a person as you think you are. So in order to legitimize the decision, you decide to do it again. Every poor decision reinforces the next one. Soon you are way down one side of the pyramid wondering how you got there. The point is once a bad decision is made, we tend to deal with the cognitive dissonance by making more bad decisions. It's a really interesting book, and could explain a lot about McCain and his supporters.

[LeonBNJ]

We know that far too often in the past Republicans have used subtile and not so subtile racism in thier political appeals. They have also done so by promoting policies that hurt the poor of this country that is disproportinally of persons of color. There are a few fools, weak of mind and education out there and attending McCain/Palin rallies that support racism and violent racism that may be publically encourged by their words. As to George Wallace, don't forget he became paralized by an attempted assinan's bullet.