As the New York Times reported:
WASHINGTON — Representative John Lewis, the Georgia Democrat and civil rights leader, said Saturday that Senator John McCain and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, were “sowing the seeds of hatred and division” in a way that reminded him of former Gov. George Wallace and “another destructive period” in the nation’s history.
John McCain didn't get it. This was his moment to truly raise the level of political discourse and reach out to the America people. This was his chance to prove that he, John McCain, could be a leader for ALL Americans. But instead, John McCain did the typical "Washington insider" thing, played to his right-wing conservative base and blamed everything on "the other guy".
This was John McCain's chance to put "Country First" but instead the self proclaimed "maverick" pandered to the people who scream "Traitor". "Treason", "Off With His Head" and "Kill Him". Instead of taking a few moments to simply state that he does not condone that language, behavior and viewpoint, John McCain stated that Barack Obama should denounce the comments and concerns of a civil rights leader who is intimately acquainted with what happens when hateful rhetoric escalates into hateful actions.
Instead of doing the right thing, John McCain sent a message, albeit by his silence, to the radical fringe that he is proud of all of the people who attend McCain/Palin rallies.
John McCain stated tonight that he wants to change the culture in America.
Well, after you watch the following video clip ask yourself which candidate do you want to shape the culture for the next eight years. And then, pray that you can live with your choice.
C-SPAN Video
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I agree completely. The entire debate was, in my opinion, a debacle for the McCain campaign. He acted like the wounded child on the playground, when in fact (polls show this) - most of us see him as the bully!
ReplyDeleteHe complained about Obama's ads attacking his healthcare proposals(an actual policy difference between the two) - but refused to repudiate the assertion that Obama is friends with terrorists.
I think his performance may have been a success only to viewers on the far right. And initial polling seems to support that undecideds felt Obama won. Yet, the media doesn't seem to be reporting it this way.
Could it be that they'd hate to see the race as over - because then what will they do for the next few weeks? Maybe they have an interest in keeping in close so we'll all hang on every word.
Last night was not close. Not by any measure in my book. John McCain doesn't get it... The economy, the struggles the average American faces, women, the war, or even the change he now claims to represent. The straight talk express previously served him well is completely off track.