McCain, Media & Meltdown: A Witches' Brew for Election Violence

As previously described, John McCain's body language shows he is a hater ("McCain's Body Language: He is a Hater", October 8, 2008). Now, his rhetoric has caught up to his body language. He has been baiting his audiences to view Barack Obama as dangerous, and representative of a "foreign" (read: sinister) element.

The spontaneous reactions of his audience -- from "kill him", "off with his head", to "he's a terrorist" -- show that the effect of such language is to remove the veneer of civility that keeps our country together and enables us to settle our differences through the rule of law and electoral processes. When people leave a McCain rally telling reporters that Obama is a terrorist because "it's in his blood", the potential for violence is real.

Sure, McCain has every right to question Obama's policies, his past statements and past votes, and even his past associations to the extent they are truly relevant and not a manufactroversy (i.e., a manufactured controversy).

How those questions are put determines whether they are inflammatory, whether they are the equivalent of "yelling fire in a crowded theatre." When McCain says, "Who is Barack Obama?" it is clear that he is not just questioning his policies, he is not too subtly suggesting that Obama is "not one of us."

Evolution has hardwired our brains to make instant judgments about whether a situation is safe or dangerous, part of me or "other." With the exceptions of food and sex, the default mode is defensive, and then the brain rationalizes that emotional choice. The more the McCain campaign feeds the emotional triggers, the more people will default to the defensive perspective that Obama is "other."

We are also primarily a visual species (more than auditory, touch or smell) Hence, to convey that John Kerry was really "French" (which he is not), they focused on his hair, and windsurfing (French is elite, just think of wines). For Barack, his race and his origin, as reflected in his middle name, is even more effective. For Obama to be perceived as "one of us," he had first to overcome the initial "us"/"other" response based upon his skin color.

As indicated in "Obama's Millennials -- 83 Million Strong," (June 30,2008), for voters born after 1980, who grew up in an integrated society, differences in skin color do not register as "other." By contrast, even the most progressive boomers, who may have grown up in integrated schools, but who were in the frying pan of the controversy, do not have the same easy "us" response to differences in race. Thus, McCain's attempts to trigger emotional responses to the default position of defense against Obama as other, will only work with people born prior to 1980, i.e., the boomers and the elderly.

The McCain campaign's strategy is deliberate, scientific, vicious, disgraceful and, most worryingly, dangerous.

This would be bad, and inflammatory enough on it own, but when engrafted upon a very angry electorate, people whose good works have been lost in a flash of greed and mismanagement, and who feel powerless, it is like shouting fire in a crowded theatre. A person who truly "puts country first," as McCain claims to be, would err on the side of caution. Indeed, he ought affirmatively to condemn any implication that Barack Obama is strange or has any hidden agenda. That does not stop McCain from strongly disagreeing with Obama.

In neurological terms, an honorable McCain, who puts country first, would specifically seek to "avoid the amygdala," dampening down the reptilian responses, and appeal to peoples' logic. He would do so even if there were not this underlying fuse just awaiting a signal to be lit, but especially since there clearly is a growing incendiary feeling among the electorate.

Here is what McCain said about Obama just 10 weeks ago:

"Let me begin with a few words about my opponent. Don't tell him I said this, but he is an impressive fellow in many ways. He has inspired a great many Americans, some of whom had wrongly believed that a political campaign could hold no purpose or meaning for them. His success should make Americans, all Americans, proud. Of course, I would prefer his success not continue quite as long as he hopes. But it makes me proud to know the country I've loved and served all my life is still a work in progress, and always improving. Senator Obama talks about making history, and he's made quite a bit of it already. And the way was prepared by this venerable organization and others like it. A few years before the NAACP was founded, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage and an insult in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the nomination of an African-American to be the presidential nominee of his party. Whatever the outcome in November, Senator Obama has achieved a great thing -- for himself and for his country -- and I thank him for it." (McCain speech to NAACP, July 10, 2008).

As if McCain's campaign itself were not bad enough, the mainstream media is egging him on. I have yet to hear anyone say, "whoa!", "yes, McCain may be behind, but his only chance is to convince people of some major policy superiority, or even that he himself (McCain) is more trustworthy than Obama on matters that count for the electorate." Nor have any of the networks just refused to cover allegations no matter how bogus, and no matter how bogus they know them to be.

It seems to go without question to them that, if McCain is behind, then of course he should be manufacturing controversies, and doing everything he can to make people fear Obama at a gut level, i.e., that it is perfectly acceptable for him to engage in all-out, untruthful, character assassination, sowing fear and doubt.

There is one bright light -- Campbell Brown. She has realized that parity does not mean equal time when one side is speaking the truth and the other is lying, or when one side is appealing to their views of the issues and the other is engaging in false character assassination. Chris Matthews notes the problem, but gives "equal time" to people like Pat Buchanan, who claim it is "payback time" for the Goldwater campaign (!) -- were people suggesting Goldwater's Jewish background made him weird or unreliable, or just that he himself promoted dangerous views? -- and then laughs, as if incitement to violence is a big joke. I do not think John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luthur King, Jr., would get Pat's punchline.

If Obama is going to raise taxes on the top bracket, and McCain says that will reduce jobs, that's a great discussion to have on the basis of "equal time". [Obama can ask McCain to explain the 23M jobs created after raising taxes on the top bracket during the recession in 1993]. But, if Obama says he is going to raise taxes on the top bracket, and McCain says that Obama had a coffee at the home of a college professor who 40 years ago was a radical, then that's not a discussion that deserves any time just because that is what the McCain campaign has decided to make its message of the day.

During the Watergate hearings, the not-yet jailed Nixon Attorney General John Mitchell excused the crimes he and others committed against the political process and against the Constitution in the 1972 election with these words: "All we were trying to do is re-elect the President." Earlier he had explained: "In my mind, the reelection of Richard Nixon, compared to what was on the other side, was so important that I put it in exactly that context."

Although Mitchell became the nation's first Attorney General to go to jail, it appears as if the anything-goes to win psychology that has permeated Wall Street has also captured the media. There are no more standards, except the Wall Street standards of what will attract the most viewers, and thus the greatest profits. Whatever the campaigns, or the Drudge Report, serves up, they buy. It is "news" just because a campaign said it. One party can arrogate to itself the judgment that the other side is so unacceptable that law-breaking, or inciting-to-violence is justified to defeat them.

As this is being written, I am told that McCain has dialed it back, stating that Obama is not someone to be afraid of if he is elected President. Whether that is a poll-driven message or a pang of conscience, it may help... a bit. Let us now see if he takes down his inflammatory ads, publicly talks down those at his rallies who incite to violence, says "no" when he is being egged on by an enthusiastic supporter, and begins, finally, to run the respectful campaign he claimed he wanted.

John McCain had to choose between losing this election or dishonor.

He chose dishonor.

He shall lose.

Comments

[arthur2008]

In recent days, dozens of political leaders of both parties, editorialists, columnists and even conservative commentators have expressed concern over these McCain-Palin tactics.

It is instructive, then, that Senator McCain chose not to respond to the warnings issued by, say, David Gergen, waiting instead for a black politician to say essentially the same thing.

What should we make of that tactic?

[maggsa]

McCain's campaign - Who is Barack Obama implies that Obama is an Arab Terrorist on Welfare hence does not deserve to be elected as president. The unmuzzled Palin has been parading around the country inciting hatred. McCain has supported this though now he is preaching he does not want to go down this route. I am not buying it. Just remember this sounds oh to familar, as Bush was an expert in inciting fear in Americans. If one study's McCain / Palin policies there is no substance hence the only way to gain votes is to make Americans fearful of Obama.

[jcrush]

What really does it for me is this. Try to wrap your mind around how rediculous this is:

John Lewis makes his statement about George Wallace and the similarities in atmosphere to McPalin's recent rallies. John McCain said John Lewis was one of the 3 wise men he would consult once pres. (Saddleback forum) Here's the jaw-dropping part:

McCain called for Obama to REPUDIATE (spelling?) John Lewis' words?? CAN ANYONE SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT? McPalin both NEVER NOT ONCE denounced or repudiated ANY OF THOSE CROWD MEMBER'S COMMENTS. They never said that don't agree with it. They never said they don't stand for it. NEVER NOTHING NADA YET !! But somehow they have the astronomical GALL to ask for a REPUDIATION from OBAMA? I can't stop typing in CAPS !!! I'm ASTOUNDED. Does McPalin think that they are above others. McCain had the nerve to say he can't believe Lewis would attack his character? REALLY!? YOU CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD ATTACK YOUR CHARACTER, YOUR HIGHNESS?

At least the neocons just accuse US of thinking Obama is Jesus. MCCAIN SEEMS TO THINK HE'S RIGHT UP THERE WITH THEM. We'll, I guess even Lucifer was in heaven a one point, but I digress.

[Mysticalsister]

“I think there have been quite a few reporters recently,” said Mr. McCain’s closest adviser, Mark Salter, “who have sort of implied, or made more than implications, that somehow we’re responsible for the occasional nut who shows up and yells something about Barack Obama.” NYT

I found this statement in the NYT's article truly amazing since McCain and his surrogates have been everywhere attacking Obama for "assaulting" McCain's supporters!!! Are you f-ing kidding me? This is his CLOSEST ADVISER referring to their supporters as the "occasional nut?" Isn't that an assault?

Trying to figure out the McCain strategy is like trying to nail jello to the wall.

[Jules1]

Paul, good read, nice job. However no mention of Olbermann and Maddow who have been railing on this subject all last week.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/ Keith

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ Rachel

[hopefulinpa]

I cannot believe there are so many misinformed people out there like that woman who stood up at the McCain townhall and said she has been reading and that Obama is an Arab. Ignorance. I can't believe that these hateful people are so ignorant of the facts that are out there for everyone to see. And as far at Pat Buchanan, he is just a loud mouth. I turn him off or mute it when he is on. He says some incredibly stupid things sometimes too, and I don't watch Hardball much anymore either. Chris Matthews repeats the crap more than anybody. Over and over again. It gets sickening. Once in a while he will call someone on something, but most of the time he lets the crap go. As far as McCain dialing it back. He is dialing it back because it is not working not because he has a "conscious." If he did he never would have let it go on in the first place.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08

[hortonhearsawho]

Believe in the future and Obama.

[Jenababy]

I'm a white 59 year old voter, my mother is 87 and she's going to go vote for Obama/Biden, along with my sister and me. She always taught us not to judge the character of a person by the color of their skin, but by their deeds. Mom has always kept up with the news, and when they started calling such hateful things in those crowds mother was appalled. She said McCain is as guilty as Palin, and that the two of them will certainly be judged by their maker, for the hateful things they say and do.
Mom said she will go with her walker to vote for such an honorable man. I'm very proud of her, who says the old are too set in their ways? Maybe we should all take our elderly family members and friends out to vote, and then out to eat. Go Obama/Biden

[skippypicasso]

It's not really a coincidence that McCain is simply posing the question, the question itself is code. McCain--since he doesn't do "the email"--might not even realize why his handlers are telling him to emphasize that particular question, rather than any host of other questions he could be asking.

When McCain says "Who Is Barack Obama?" he's not just asking a simple question--what he is saying is, "All of those emails you've been getting--the ones with "Who Is Barack Obama?" in the subject line--are true and accurate descriptions.

[digustedpatriot]

The McCain campaign has taken a volitile and extremely dangerous turn. I urge everyone, no matter your party affiliation, to contact your elected state officials immediately and demand they put pressure on McCain to pour water on this fire that his campaign has set ablaze.
This has gone beyond politics, beyond the pale and beyond belief.
Is this what America stands for? Is this the face of America?
Ugly. Incendiary. Offensive. Treacherous.
America….contact anyone and everyone in your state and let it be known that you will not tolerate this hate-mongering!

[provgrays]

Even more offensive than McCain himself are McCain's supporters. We have failed as a society when so many can hate so deeply and with so little justification.

[Pegi]

Its hard to get that genie back in the bottle after it is released!!! Shame on McCain for going down that path. Shame on palin for subjecting those girls to that kind of reception at a hockey game!!! No depth is too low i guess!!!

(Hey provgrays, n.kingstown here).

Voting for ThatOne

[Dupree]

McCain and Palin is stoking the sparks of hatred and if allowed to fully develop we will have a violent situation on our hands and in our country. I find Pat Buchanan and Chris Matthew approving nod to what McCain doing appalling and dangerous. I wrote a letter to Chris Matthew and asked him what was his agenda in promoting this "strategy" of a cultural war as "brilliant plan" by McCain and Palin. You should have seen the glean in his eyes this week when he was speaking on Morning Joe. I listened to a lot of this "pundits" and it seems as if we live on two different realities. They see the political ploys and tactics the same way one would evaluate a game. I find that a lot disturbing. They seem not to mind if someone employs lies, manipulations and distortions as something to be proud of and they actually act like this is contest of sport. We are talking about our country.

[dmspeech]

I think that if America were a foreign country and we heard people chanting terrorist, kill him, etc etc., we would be horrified and disdainful and so glad we were above that kind of rhetoric. We'd probably grant them Axis of Evil status. Can you imagine what people around the world think when they see these idiots at the McCain/Palin rallies? I am ashamed that those racists call themselves American.

The fact that the press justifies what they do is even worse. They, the fourth estate, is supposed to be unbiased and report the truth. Thanks Ronald Reagan for the media we now have.

[veracity]

Last night (Friday night 10-10) Phil Maher hosted (via video) former US COMPTROLLER David Walker on the show.

Maher was talking about how the trillion-dollar taxpayer BAILOUTS of Wall St. had sent the BUSH DEFICITS so high, that they... WERE TAKING THE DEFICITS COUNTER sign down from Times Square, the deficit had gotten too big for the sign to register.

Mr. Walker informed Phil and the audience that.. even at TEN TRILLION DOLLARS, the Deficit counter was off... BY A FACTOR OF FIVE, that the REAL DEFICITS are FORTY TRILLION DOLLARS MORE than the $10-trillion deficit the sign was counting!

Walker explained that meant a debt of $480,000 per household in America... FOUR HUNDRED and EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS per taxpaying HOUSEHOLD in America.... a HALF A MILLION DOLLARS OF DEBT per working family in America!!

This is of course A HUGE FRAUD PERPETUATED ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE by its economic, financial, and political leaders.

The DEMOCRAT PARTY better EXPLAIN THIS DEBT to the American people, or they will SHARE THE BLAME for covering it up.

[demfriend]

I have heard/read that this John McCain is not the John McCain "I knew" and yet his history says this is the same man just out there and for all to see. His temper has always been there and his distain for anyone willing to get in his way just as well so where have these people been that they didn't know "this John McCain"? Since the GOP has allowed these two that represent them to go straight into the sewage without any brakes on them all to "win" how should anyone view the republicans as a party? The people that McCain/Palin are playing to are their "followers who would vote for them anyway" as the MSM would have us think and they might be a bit more emotional than a regular crowd. But we have a history here in the US which we all know at the back of our minds as it has been from early on with Obama and his receiving threats enough for secret service protection before anyone else. It has taken one man one weapon and his desire to "save" whatever his insanity said he would to kill JFK/MLK/RFK.

[kellygrrrl]

just did my weekly visit to the Conservative sites to read comments.
"The Base" hates McCain almost as much as they hate 0bama.
Johnny best be watchin' his own back.

[zedthewizard]

funny, i'm reading pat buchanan's book, "the unnecessary war". i believe it was chamberlin in response to giving a guarantee to poland.

the choice was dishonor or war.
he chose war.
he shall have dishonor.

that's it or real close.