McCain denounces pitchfork-wavers

[Spider-Dan]

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/mccain_denounces_pitchforkwave.html

McCain Denounces Pitchfork-Wavers

Posted by Ana Marie Cox

Here in Lakeville, the traveling press was pretty sure we'd see more of the kind of vicious anti-Obama attitude that's becoming a hallmark of McCain rallies of late.

As the town hall started, McCain was off with more pep than usual. Making the same old jokes, but with energy that reminded us of "the old McCain." But would he use his power for good or evil? An audience member teed up a great big softball that could totally hit a dark side home run, asking, "We want you to fight at your next debate... we want to see s REAL fight at the debate, we want a STRONG leader for the next four years." That is Minnesota nice for "RevWrightACORNAyers," etc.

But then something weird happens: He acknowledges the "energy" people have been showing at rallies, and how glad he is that people are excited. But, he says, "I respect Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." People booed at the mention of his name. McCain, visibly angry, stopped them: "I want EVERYONE to be respectful, and lets make sure we are."

The very next questioner tried to push back on this request, noting that he needed to "tell the American the TRUTH about Barack Obama" -- a not very subtle way, I think, to ask John McCain to NOT tell the truth about Barack Obama. McCain told her there's a "difference between record and rhetoric, and I plan to talk about his record, respectfully... I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity, I just mean it has to be respectful."

And then later, again, someone dangled a great big piece of low-hanging fruit in front of McCain: "I'm scared to bring up my child in a world where Barack Obama is president."

McCain replies, "Well, I don't want him to be president, either. I wouldn't be running if I did. But," and he pauses for emphasis, "you don't have to be scared to have him be President of the United States." A round of boos.

And he snaps back: "Well, obviously I think I'd be better. "

Of course, this is kind of the best of both world: Crazy base-world gets to bring up Ayers and whatever else, really, and he gets to say, "Be respectful." But I think he means it.

UPDATE: Indeed, he just snatched the microphone out the hands of a woman who began her question with, "I'm scared of Barack Obama... he's an Arab terrorist..."

"No, no ma'am," he interrupted. "He's a decent family man with whom I happen to have some disagreements."

--

I applaud Mr. McCain for his actions.  Some of the supporters at his rallies were downright disturbing; it would have been no exaggeration to call them "angry mobs."  Regardless of the results on Nov. 4, we are all Americans and we are going to have to live with each other.

Some of the leftwing blogs are claiming that this is another McCain political stunt to gain ground with moderates, saying, "too little too late... you popped the cork, and you can't stuff the genie back in the bottle."  I strongly disagree; whether this is designed to gain votes or not, it was the right thing to do.

I think, at this point, that McCain realizes that the kind of statements that were coming out of his rallies are potentially a serious and permanent anchor on his future political career.  Kudos to him for standing up and doing the right thing.

[Buddhagirl]

I actually saw the clip on the news last night, and have to APPLAUD McCain for finally saying something about this. The crowds have pretty much turned into angry mobs and many truly believe that Obama is a terrorist or an Arab.

Forget all the political implications, we cannot have people running around thinking that Obama is an Arab or a terrorist. Someone's going to attempt to harm him.

[Dave Gray]

Yeah, I heard the clip, too.  It made me feel good about McCain.  I think that some of his handlers are scumbags, but I think that he's a decent man and hates that the campaign has come to this.

People (a few bad apples) were screaming "Kill him" at the mention of Obama's name.  ...and one woman posed a question to McCain about Obama being an "A-rab".  McCain said that Obama was an honorable man, but that they differed on issues.

Good for McCain.

[Defense54]

I actually saw the clip on the news last night, and have to APPLAUD McCain for finally saying something about this. The crowds have pretty much turned into angry mobs and many truly believe that Obama is a terrorist or an Arab.

Forget all the political implications, we cannot have people running around thinking that Obama is an Arab or a terrorist. Someone's going to attempt to harm him.

So YOU DO see something positive about the Man? 

Glad to see it. There is hope for this place yet. 

UPDATE: Indeed, he just snatched the microphone out the hands of a woman who began her question with, "I'm scared of Barack Obama... he's an Arab terrorist..."

"No, no ma'am," he interrupted. "He's a decent family man with whom I happen to have some disagreements."

I knew what kind of man he was before all that and that's why all the Fat Face and crap about his wife sickened me here. I probably still am going to Vote for Obama at this point, But it has nothing to do with John McCain the man.

[bsmooth]

So YOU DO see something positive about the Man? 

Glad to see it. There is hope for this place yet. 

I knew what kind of man he was before all that and that's why all the Fat Face and crap about his wife sickened me here. I probably still am going to Vote for Obama at this point, But it has nothing to do with John McCain the man.

Too bad he did not do that earlier when the crowds have been getting worse and angrier everyday, or had Palin back off the whole terrorist thing which only stoked the fears of crowds who have been hearing he is a muslim. He only said something when he FINALLy had too or else it would have come back to hurt him with moderates who would look at his rallies and cringe in horror at the behavior of his loyal throngs flocking to see him.
Good thing we have that great news agencies that have "accidentally" called him Osama, and put up Osama's picture with Obama's name under it.
Cindy was right, this is the ugliest campaing ever, but it is because of the blatant racism and fear mongering by people putting out he is an arab and a terrorist supporter.