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

[bodo]

Losing campaigners get vicious, unfortunately. As a person who professes to love his country (though many doubt that after he picked Palin), McCain should consider the permanent damage he is doing to the country by his hate-mongering. After President Obama is inaugurated, McCain will leave behind a deep rift he created -- a rift that may take many years to heal.

[dogman44]

We should be thankful to MaCain for insuring O's election and exposing the irrational haters
among us. People like that are the reason I carry. They are a large and dangerous minority
of unteachable savages.

[springsm]

Truthfully, I think McCain loves to say that, but mostly I think he hates himself..a­nd he is very angry. My guess is that he is still trying to prove something and he isn't able too. I don't think he really thinks about anybody but what is inside his head. Bush is the same way.

[NotMcCain]

The irony is that Obama is the real deal, exactly as he seems (including being a DEVOUT CHRISTIAN).

It's McCain and Palin who are the phonies. I just hope this time those tricks and lies (and all the pandering that seems the latest "new" strategy) won't work.

[leetz]

"39 percent of American voters still think she is 'qualified to be president.­'"

This is incomprehensible to me. This election has shown a great deal of the bad side of America but I'm not sure anything is more damning than that statistic. I mean, I knew we had some thick-headed people in this country, but wow.

[Whatareyouthinking]

Please explain what Barak Obama has done to qualify himself to be president? What has he accomplished in his "long" 3 year career in the senate? You scoff at the qualifications of one candidate when your own, who by the way is running for PRESIDENT, is just as inexperienced.

[aliceinthewater]

If we have to point it out to you then you just don't get it.

[4-obama]

How about visiting his website to inform yourself on what he has been able to accomplish? That shouldn't be too hard now, should it?

[MassHysteria]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-lee-curtis/do-you-think-im-stupid_b_124635.html?show_comment_id=15703253#comment_15703253

Obama sponsored 820 laws in Illinois, authored 152 bills, and co-sponsored 427 more in the U.S. Senate. In the IL State Senate he authored a bill, passed 35 to 0, to require that interrogations and confessions be videotaped to ensure confessions were not given under duress. He also played a major role in the state's first earned-income tax credit to help the working poor and the first ethics and campaign finance law in 25 years which was recognized as "one of the best in the nation on campaign finance disclosure­." In the US Senate, he co-authored the new lobbying reform law that requires lawmakers to disclose the names of lobbyists who "bundle" contributions for them. He was an Illinois State Senator for 8 years 1996-2004. Chairman, Health and Human Services Committee. He was a Constitutional Law Professor at the U of Chicago Law School 1993-2004 and was a Civil Rights Attorney - 1992-2004. He's a United States Senator 2004-present Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs Member, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Member, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Obama Education: B.A. Political Science with specialization in international relations- Harvard Law School J.D. Magna cum laude 1988-1991- President, Harvard Law Review

[boophus]

I really think that a large proportion of those who supposedly believe she is qualified are either too stubborn and invested in thier original support to back off from it. This is a common human failing to deny your judgment was wrong because you have your ego invested and if you admit to being wrong then that may injure a weak self-image. Which is exactly what many of the women who support Palin have . .. a weak self- image. The women who have strong self images know better but are cynically supporting Palin because thier real candidate chose her.

[garyloewenthal]

I wonder if some people identify with the part of her personality that seems to be "I'm proud to be ignorant."

[edgemo]

But...what makes you know for sure, who isn't... the next Hitler? If it could be anyone, I'd be placing bets on the ones rallying the crowds with hate.

[Gary50]

What else do they have to run on? Their record? The last eight years have been a catastrophe. How many sane people want more of the war, incompetance, unbridled greed, finacial collapse, multi-trillion dollar deficits, cronyism, arrogance, and criminal behavior that the Republicans have blessed us with since Bush was appointed president? All they have left is instilling fear and lies. McCain claims to know how to get Osama bin Laden, win wars, and fix the economy. Which he will surely do right after he walks on water, cures cancer, stops global warming and makes everyone a millionaire. And don't you just love the way he gets all indignant when anyone questions his veracity?

[NotMcCain]

Seriously, I watched McCain's speech this morning. He promised Palin would come to Washington and get rid of all the old guys with their old ways. ROFL!

Then he talked about how he's the only one fighting for us in Congress. ROFL again! Do any of their speeches ever LIST the things McCain has done for us in his 26 YEARS in Congress?

He has made so many promises today to cut just about every tax for every person for every reason. AND to "balance the budget in four years!" ROFL!!! He really does believe, "There's a sucker born every minute".

[buglet]

Uh, as many have pointed out, the first old guy and his old ways she'll get rid of is McCain.

[murf123]

My favorite in McC's speeches is the generic boilerplate "I know how to get it done!" (whichever "it" we are talking about.) HOW, exactly????

[RedneckDem]

When I hear the taunts of "terrorist" or "kill him", it fully explains to me how we can now condone torture, greed and wars of choice. We've lost our moral compass. There are way to many in this society that have bought into "the blame the Dems for all their problems" game.

Someone once said that fascism will come to America with a cross and draped in the Stars and Stripes.

[edgemo]

Hear, hear!

[ektruiasjalfanmik]

I think the quote you're going for is; "If we let our liberties go, we may never get them back. When totalitarianism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the American flag." Attributed to Lawrence Guyot (in 1992, no less) -- one of those infamous "community organizers­"...

[VSamuels]

The entire undercoating of blame Democrats for all of the problems stems from the cultural recognition that the Dems represents a party they see and or believes works for the benefit of blacks. It is a deep resentment that fuels their beliefs that the republican party stands for them as white souls; even as they would have to be rich to share in the booty. Such folks would however rather confirm their racial identity as white, than join the party which speaks to their economic future.


But, we also can not overlook the corporate media which fails miserably in clearly pointing out that the republican party supports big business and not the white working or middle class. They sort of look the other way as they continually fail to confront them about what policies they advocate speaks to the interest of these folks. Thus, the narrowly tailored policies of the republicans gets a consistent nod of 'omission' that they in fact represent a group of people, when they clearly are only using white culture to secure their vote.

It is troubling, yet it is why the republicans manage to thrive, as many in their base can't wean themselves off of their 'white priviledge' and accept that they do not share anything in common with the party of the upper crust of white society. It is an old meme, but one which keeps unfortunately the GOP in power.

[legalclubs]

Let's not get crazy here. It seems to me that McCain has been fairly good in his responses to unruly comments, even telling one women who said Obama was an Arab and that she didn't trust him that she "didn't need to fear an Obama presidency". That's doesn't exactly sound Nazi like to me. In fact, I think both sides have been remarkably restained in the type of attacks they've made during this election (don't you think the Hillary/Obama campaign was much more vicious?). Yes it appears that McCain is going to lose and going to lose badly, however, McCain is likely someone Obama will need to work worth in the future if he wants Republican support or if he needs to break a fillabuster given that McCain is the most likely of the Republicans to cut deals with the Democrats (i.e. McCain-Kennedy Education Bill, McCain-Fiengold Campaign Finance, and McCain on Immigration). In fact, a real coup for Obama might even be to offer McCain a cabinent position in his administration, such as SecDef. Chances are McCain will turn it down but it will play very well and if he takes it we might pick up another Senate seat in Arizona.

[pcplz]

As far as has been reported..­.that was just one time that he tried to calm the crowd.....­then he attacked. If something should happen to the Obama family, I wil hold him responsible.

As far as working with him....? He has shown who he is and what he brings to the table, hatred and dishonesty. His loss of honor will follow him to the grave.

Arizona will definitely lose face if they vote him any extension in congress in any capacity.

[hyjanks]

"In fact, a real coup for Obama might even be to offer McCain a cabinent position in his administration,"
How about the Secretary of War?

[super]

How about Ambassador to the Moon?

[edgemo]

Yes, McCain had someone to make the same old claims, then weakly corrected her....

First remember that the crowds at McCain/Palin events are probably vetted better than was Palin....

[TRYKER]

The very idea of offering McCain a cabinet spot is utterly ridiculous. Why would a progressive Dem want a lying old fool anywhere near him? Pray tell.
And as for needing his cooperation so he should be courted is absurd. He should be retired and turned out to graze.
If his character hasn't appeared loud and clear enough for you, you haven't been paying attention. You don't deal with creeps like this, you ignore them.

[springsm]

Nice try Legalclubs. But that was the first time he really tried to nip something.­.before he sat there and grinned or agreed. When the public began to cry foul, his campaign told him to rachet it down a notch...he tried meekly to do that..and then went on with it. He loves this rhetoric. McCain is angry and those are angry hateful remarks. It fees what is normally called, the soul. McCain is a lost man..he needs to step back and retire. Palin needs to go face the music in Alaska. You betcha.

[BlueZoo]

I'd hoped the Bush years of "us against them" would be destroyed with this campaign. My hope was dashed. Why can't we have disagreements on issues and yet still be Americans? I weep...

[NationalTreasure]

McCain/Palin and the republicans know that McCain is not going to win on Nov. 4.

These attacks by McCain/Palin and the republicans are more nefarious they are an attempt to dehumanize and marginalize an Obama presidency.

What the republicans are doing is sowing the seeds anarchy in the event Sen. Obama is elected President.

[WilburPig]

Frightening. I think you might be onto something.­..

[MadOzbo]

These tactics are nothing new. They are merely being trotted out in a newer, shinier, more deadly form.

The fact that the McCain-Palin ticked manages to put SUCH a smiley face on this EVIL smear campaign is truly the most repugnant for the image of John McCain as a once decent man...

Joe Biden is correct, and John McCain will regret his behavior all the rest of his Life, but ONLY if he does NOT win on November 4.

Three weeks to go, people!
How much lower do you think McCain-Palin can sink? Not much.
They've tried every trick in the Karl Rove playbook.
There's not much time and not much left to try...

Expect things to turn even uglier the next 21 days...

[MinasTirith]

Well Said, Madeline.

Your to-the-point article speaks volumes that should be echoed across the country.

Instead, McCain and Palin merely shroud, rather than halt, their hate filled diatribes and rhetoric, appealing to the lynch mob crowd mentality.

A mentality that is apparently invisible to those who stand within its confines as controlled by it. Which is why they have to be snapped out of it by their 'keepers' during their political injection trip... namely the purported responsible adults in the room in the form of McCain and Palin.

Obama was quick to quell even boos when McCains name was mentioned at a speech, telling his crowd sharply, that 'We don't need that'.

None of us do.

[Chris]

"Who is the real Barack Obama?"

This is a fair question. I beleive it is fair becuase I am currently reading "Audacity of Hope" and the BO in the book and the BO on the campaign trail are two different men. In his book he repeatedly calls for universal health care but not so on the campign trail. So which one is true? This is just one of many differences.

[Foolacious]

What are you talking about? Universal health care is a major theme of Obama's campaign and he talks about it all the time.

The book is also interesting in that it reveals Obama to be much more of a centrist than a lot of folks think.

[Chris]

Actually he now turns away from universal healthcare to private healthcare and then the gvoenrmetn picking up the pieces. Actually a very similar plan to what Mitt Romney passed in the commonwealth of MA.

[hyjanks]

I believe he said in the last debate that health care is a RIGHT for the American people.
Or weren't you listening?

[RingWorlder]

He hasn't changed his policy view. Universal healthcare does not mean it has "socialized" as so many FUD (Fear Uncertainty & Doubt) spewing "conservatives" cry falsely about. He and his team have chosen a way top do it differently.
McCain wants to TAX your employer provided medical benefits.

[jhNY]

The older I get, the more I believe that history's lessons don't exactly exist. History, rather, seems to be a body of accumulated recountings of the things we are doomed to do repeatedly, whether we know it or not.

[hyjanks]

History is no more than the portrayal of crimes and misfortune.

--Anonymous

[wfs77]

The lessons are there. It's up to us to recognize, learn from, and remember them. When we don't do that, yes, they will repeat themselves until we do.