Time was when I honestly thought John McCain would run a respectful campaign for the presidency -- as he promised to do, mind you.
Now I'm starting to think that just about any of his former opponents -- maybe even Huckabee! -- would have kept things a little cleaner.
Of course the press is abounding with reports of "hate" growing in the McCain-Palin crowds, and I've spent the morning reading commentary and analyzing videos.
McCain seems to be getting some sort of credit -- "extra credit," perhaps -- for trying to tone things down on the angry, racist bent of his latest crowds. But listen to the actual text above of his half-hearted "defense" of Obama, first on the question of being "scared" by an Obama presidency:
"He is a decent person, and a person that you do not have to be scared as President of the United States."
McCain is clearly ill at ease here, or else is taking lessons at the Sarah Palin School of Syntax.
After being booed, his follow-up suggests he may also be studying at the Sarah Palin School of Incoherency, G-droppin', and Folksiness:
"Now, I I just, now I just, now, now, look, I, I, if I didn't think I wouldn't be one heckuva lot better president, I wouldn't be runnin', okay?"
What does that have to do with anything? I almost feel sorry for you, Johnny, because I'm not sure you expected to end up running this type of town hall meeting. But when you play with fire, you get burned.
And you end up having to deal with inconvenient side effects, like the most horrifying question yet asked in public by anyone during this campaign:
"I cannot trust Obama. I have read about him, and he's not, he's not...he's an Arab."
First, notice McCain's nodding understanding after the first phrase. Then his supposed "high road" reaction:
"No, m'am, no m'am, he's a decent, family man citizen..."
That totally idiotic, racist question should not have been dignified with a response and McCain should have said so in no uncertain terms.
And this is being billed as defending Obama? Giving this lady the subtext that an Arab, of course, can't be "a decent family man, citizen?"
I guess he's just doing the best he can. But it's sure not good enough.
So John, why don't you save what little is left of your much-touted honor and drop out now -- and take Caribarb Boobie with you?
Oh and hey, John, can I call you Jack? Because I can't wait to see you hit the road.
16 comments:
Ha! great final line, Betty. It is all so nasty out there right now.
I can actually detect a bit o' anger in your post. It makes me so happy. ;-)
His campaign is a joke, his supporters are clinical, and what's frightening is what these nutballs might end up doing after Inauguration Day.
"That totally idiotic, racist question should not have been dignified with a response and McCain should have said so in no uncertain terms."
Agreed.
It would not surprise me if that woman was a plant by opponents
randal -- Yes, I am a little peeved because the press is making so much of John trying to patch things up, even Obama has ackowledged it! I figure McCain got himself into this mess, so if he's really turning over a new leaf, he should sound MUCH more convincing.
John...well, that's an intriguing idea. It's not my gut feeling, but I can't offer any proof! If I accept your theory, I would wonder if half the audience was planted! All those people raving about socialism and being "scurred" -- it certainly was a weird atmosphere.
Ha! I'd heard about that speech, but hadn't yet seen it.
I voted, and when I put my ballot in the mail bow, I triple checked to make sure the envelope slid all the way down...I really want my vote to count!
It's not really a speech, poppy, it's more of a town hall thing filled with people "drooling and raving about socialism," to steal, perhaps inexactly, a line from Woody Allen. The video I posted shows some of the lowlights.
I really can't agree more with you, Betty and thanks so much for posting this video because I hadn't watched it yet.. I am soooo disgusted with these racist Americans with such tiny, close-minds brains!!! I agree the question SHOULD NOT have been allowed... I think the woman could VERY well have been a "plant!" I'm peeved at the whole thing... I'm infuriated!! I really hope Obama wins so we can get past this election and do start getting the country back on it's feet... I'm going to forward your post on via email to friends.. and also put a link on my blog to it... Have a nice Sunday!
PS. to Poppy Fields.. I explained to the very nice woman at the Poste when I gave her my ballot to post, that it was very important... my vote for President of the US... and said how stressed I was and how happy I was to finally have voted and to mail it off... Now, we just have to wait until everything's counted... I also asked her to post it right there in front of me and send it off ... WHEW!! What a HUGE relief that was.. I was really, really stressed about the whole process!!
john... left me the idea that that woman could have been planted by Obama supporters to make McCain look racist, but she could just as well been planted by far-right nuts to get those nasty ideas out there. And having thought about it, I think the latter is far more likely.
Right on, Betty. I'm trying to keep my distance from the U.S. presidential election, but that doesn't stop me from having my opinions. They resemble yours. Ken
I could use a little distance, I guess. I would just like to not have to explain how the USA has elected an idiot for four more years. Eight is enough.
About the woman at the McCain rally: Not only is she not a Democratic plant, she's a McCain volunteer who has been mailing these accusations about Obama out on behalf of the McCain campaign.
See her speak here, after the rally, to several reporters:
http://The-UpTake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/933/
Thanks for the information and link, anonymous. I hadn't really though she would be planted by the Obama campaign! But she was so weird it seemed something was up.
As his desperation seems to grow and he tries to reinvent himself on a daily/hourly basis--it only seems to be going worse and worse for him and that, in my mind, is a good thing.
Great rant, Betty!
McCain (who always had my respect, if not my allegiance) disappointed me with his reckless choice of Palin. As one editorial writer put it, McCain put politics over his country with that one.
I felt sorry for him in the incident you describe.
I think the fact that Obama has 105 newspaper endorsements to McCain's 33 is very telling indeed. As a former newspaper journalist, it gives me a ray of hope that not all newspaper editors and publishers are gutless conservatives.
Palin is one of the most frightening personalities to enter American politics.
Yes, Mimi, there is something kind of sad about seeing John McCain at the end of this campaign that has turned itself into a nightmare. But I'm afraid John himself has to take much of the blame. From what I've read, the Palin choice was something of a whim because he was miffed that party officials wouldn't okay his first choices -- but "that's not putting America first."
But I'm saving any reserve of pity I might have for the guy until AFTER BARACK WINS!
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