The McCain campaign crossed the line today from negative character attacks to the kind of character assassination that plays to the basest impulses and incites the most dangerous reaction. We've seen the prelude this week in the McCain crowds and in Sarah Palin's well-rehearsed, carefully telepromptered and increasingly ugly diatribes. But the intent became undeniable with the new McCain ad that falsely charges that "Obama worked with terrorist William Ayers when it was convenient"--which all but alleges that the candidate was there planting bombs.
McCain had to back off and almost apologize at an event in Minnesota when a questioner in his crowd alleged that Obama was "an Arab." McCain meekly had to explain, over the evident unrest of his supporters, that Obama wasn't dangerous.
But who was responsible for leaving people to think that he was dangerous in the first place? The McCain campaign grab-bag of tarnished tactics has trafficked in soft hate and hard fears about "the other." It has been said that everything in America ultimately comes back to race. But with Republican campaigns in trouble, starting with Barry Goldwater and continuing with Nixon's "southern strategy" in 1968, it really always does come back to race.
The McCain forces have taken this to a new low; there is no way to deny the deliberate, conscious attempt to portray Obama as unAmerican; not "one of us" as Pat Buchanan said tonight on "Hardball"; someone "who doesn't see America as we do," in the venomous patois of Palin.
In all decency, it is at least worth mentioning, even as we note that Obama is not an Arab or a Moslem, that there is something profoundly unAmerican about denigrating all Arabs or all Moslems as suspect or evil. Or, for that matter, something profoundly unAmerican about playing to the old prejudices that many assumed would prevent any African-American from ever becoming President in their lifetimes. The appeal to intolerance is amplified by commentators like Buchanan and William Kristol, who urge the McCain campaign to pound away at Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. They have a list of names they want McCain to flourish and a wave of innuendos they want McCain to raise. Joe McCarthy would recognize this; it's the smear technique that he virtually patented. To borrow a phrase from that period, a phrase that shattered his reign of intimidation, maybe we ought to ask the McCain forces, the candidate and his supporting commentariat, "Have you no sense of decency left at all?"
I don't think McCain does.
And in effect he is sending a message to voters that he has no chance at all of winning if the campaign is waged on great issues like the economy. So as things get more serious in a deeply troubled America, the McCain campaign gets more frivolous. The campaign manager, Rick Davis, says the financial crash is for CNBC to discuss every day, not for the candidates. Instead, we hear about Ayers, ACORN (conveniently, a "community organization" that helps poor, and in many cases, black families) --and, of course, Obama's middle name. How much of his vaunted courage would it take for McCain to publicly rebuke, on the spot, any supporter who rolls out the name "Hussein" as an epithet that connects Obama to you-know-who?
The reality is that in a country facing two wars and a mounting economic crisis, these desparate and despicable appeals aren't working. Obama's lead is mounting, nationally and in the battleground states. But there is a threat here too that is all too real. When I heard someone in a Palin crowd yell out "traitor" as the candidate lashed out at the Democratic nominee, I thought of the full-page ad that appeared in a Dallas newspaper on the morning of Nov. 22, 1963. The headline--"Wanted for Treason"-- was sprawled across a poster-sized photo of President John F. Kennedy.
You don't put country first by running this kind of campaign.
Watch appearance on Hardball.
The media named the McCain Lying Express the "straight talk express". McCain is a fundamental liar whose only saving grace is that he's too stupid to know the truth even if he hears it, as his class rank of 894 out of 899 (below the bottom 1% of his Class) at Annapolis demonstrated.
McCain is a two-bit liar and his whole persona has been a lie, despite the media creating the so-called "straight talk express."
Shrum's got it right. McCain has no honor or decency.
Also, inciting, and the preaching of HATE towards Barack Obama ?
http://www.ucubd.com/Index.aspx?id=805&cid=3162
http://www.hallstyle.blogspot.com
We know exactly what country Obama's father is from. So he's a mulatto Kenyan-American. This best describes him both racially and culturally. For a group that has spent way too much time focusing on Obama's race, the media can't even seem to get that right!
The fact remains that, prior to 9/11, most terrorism in this country was by the hand of right-wing hate groups.
The only people who are undecided are people that have been living under a rock. They (and no defense here), very rarely vote, and really have very little impact on any election. That the "undecideds" will determine this election is another myth of the msm.
Just remember, 53% of Americans consider themselves conservative, and it will really surprise me if anyone that considers themself conservative in any way shape or form casts their vote for the most LIBERAL candidate that has ever run for president.
What is your point, McCain is honorable because he is running for president?? Is your point he is so desperate to become the president, we should all accept his behavior?? Please Help, I Don't Understand Your Point.
Anybody know where I can get some "McCarthy-Palin '08" bumper stickers and buttons?
If Palin really wants to put her country first, she should resign from the Republican ticket, and go back to Alaska to "pal around" with her right wing extremist--secessionist buddies. She could set a good example for them by single-handedly declaring her own independence from the Union, and wandering off into the bush to hunt moose and wolves, armed only with a hockey stick. Would I like to see that? You betcha!
I've been studying everything about Obama for a year, and researched all flaming statements against his real background, policies, and work, and none of those accusations have held water.
As a matter of fact, I would love to hear your legitimate reason NOT to vote for Obama. I mean something real, a fact that can be proven. If you are against abortion or gay civil unions, then you have a point. If you make over $250K and keeping your taxes low is your highest personal principle, then you have a valid reason not to vote for him. If you want the US to stay in Iraq as long as possible, that's a reason not to vote for him. Otherwise, what have you got?
Please, continue to talk amongst yourselves, tell each other that you are right, but just be prepared to be VERY disappointed when Senator McCain is elected president.
Just know that it's gonna be alright, that the world won't come to a screachng halt because of this, that it will actually be a very good day for America!!
McCain/Palin '08
You won't accept the truth -- you'll still find a way to spin it so you can continue with your anger!
I'm married to a white man, make really good money. We came from nothing and worked hard for what we have, but the Democratic party is where I see people like us. I don't see that in RP. I use to respect Mccain, but I'm convinced that most republicans are bigots and those that deny it are blind. Calling Obama and Arab and they boo when Mccain tries to correct him? When has being an Arab something evil? JUST DISGUSTING
I realize I will never convince you differently, but calling me a bigot is no different from what the left is accusing the right of right now, dividing the country by using divisive language like terrorist and things like that. Think about it, YOU are just as guilty as the McCain party(if the McCain party is guilty at all).
Just see me as a person w/a different opinion than you have. I am an American first, and a business owner second. I have a son in the marines, and I love this country. See, I don't have 2 heads or anything!
I wasn't going to vote for them but I respected them. The Republican Party has a problem with being inclusive to African-Americans unless they are the type to play puppet (ala Condolezza, Ron Page and Colin Powell).
Besides until the real Republican Party gets out from control of the religious right and other holier than though types and also adopts a more kosher attitude to social problems, they'll never get my vote unless they steal it.
I better hush, they might try just that. Remember Florida, Ohio anyone?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Hannity's expert on Obama was blocked from the Illinois bar after a psychiatric finding of “moderately severe character defect manifested by well-documented ideation with a paranoid flavor and a grandiose character.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Way to go Hannity -- you really boosted your position! NOT!