Opinion

Olbermann: McCain, Latest Pander Plan

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by: Keith Olbermann, MSNBC Countdown

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    The GOP ticket is inciting supporters to violence against Barack Obama.

    Transcript

    1:25 PM Eastern Time, today, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. During the warm-up act by a Red Meat Congressional Candidate aptly named Chris Hackett, Hackett mentions Obama and a Palin audience member shouts "Kill Him."

    And Gov. Palin, as usual, does nothing about it says nothing to these thugs and psychos. She may not have heard this one. It is impossible to believe that by now she has not heard about the other ones. Her silence is deafening. Just as, Sen. McCain, you have done nothing when violence has been asserted. Correction. You have done one thing.

    Asked why in real time you do not repudiate this hatefulness you act as if you are the victim. Speaking today to our NBC Station in Washington.

    McCain: "Sure and I repudiated it as I have on several occasions. Unfortunately, Congressman John Lewis is an American hero who I admire who made the worst, most unacceptable statement a couple days ago that I have ever heard. He accused me and Sarah Palin of being involved in segregation, George Wallace and even made reference to a church bombing where children were killed. Senator Obama has not repudiated that statement. Senator Obama should do so immediately. Its the most outrageous thing that I have heard since in politics…it is disgraceful."

    Disgraceful?

    Obviously, Senator, you haven't heard your own speeches, and Gov. Palin's, and what people shout during them. And you haven't heard your state GOP Chair in Virginia, Jeffrey Frederick, giving talking points to 30 of your field-operatives heading out to canvass voters in Gainesville, Virginia. With a reporter present, telling them to try to forge a connection between Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden to emphasize bombings and terrorism. And you haven't heard those volunteers, your volunteers Sen. McCain, shout back "and he won't salute the flag" and "we don't even know where Sen. Obama was really born."

    Sen. McCain, these people are speaking for you! And how dare you try to claim Congressman Lewis was linking you to Gov. George Wallace's segregation. He was linking you, aptly, to Gov. George Wallace's lynch-mob mentality.

    "As public figures with the power to influence and persuade," said Congressman Lewis, "Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all."

    Sen. McCain, your supporters, at your events, are calling Obama a terrorist and traitor and are calling for him to be killed. And yet you keep bringing back these same rabid Right Wing nuts to deliberately stir these crowds into frenzies. And then you take offense when somebody who remembers the violence in our political past, calls you on it. You, sir, are responsible for a phalanx of individuals who are shouting fire in a crowded theatre. There are some things to respect and honor about you, Sen. McCain.

    But on this, you're not only a fraud, Senator but you are tacitly inciting lunatics to violence. If you want to again grand-stand and suspend your campaign here's your big chance. Suspend your campaign now, until you, or somebody else, gets some control over it and it ceases to be a clear and present danger to the peace of this nation.

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Comments

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Colin Powell hammers

Colin Powell hammers McCain...other Republicans have hammered these methods now Olberman hammers again. On the Chris Matthews show several Sundays ago David Ignatius said McCain has "lost his soul"

I watched in amazement when

I watched in amazement when the crazy woman accused Obama of being an Arab. That was out there, but then when McCain took the microphone away from her, he said, "No, not he's not. He's a good man." And nobody in the media I have read said, "Hey! An Arab is NOT a good man?" the slur went unchallenged. Hey!

The reason is clear. If

The reason is clear. If Obama is taken out, then Biden must run. It would be a national tragedy. Bush could say a few words. It would devastate the Democrats and overjoy the republicans. McCain could pay respects-boost his sagging ratings and win an election. Right now the GOP's only hope is a nutjob with a gun. Even the paid GOP message board trolls have gone home. McCain, does the word Custer mean anything to you?

Thank you Keith Olbermann

Thank you Keith Olbermann for the insight and courage to condemn what truly needs condemning. I am encouraged by the many thoughtful responses posted in this blog. They are so different from some of the comments I've heard in my neighborhood. Obama is right on target: WE must be the force for honesty, integrity, and care for our human nieghbors and our magnificent planet. Let's see if we return to Constitutional values. This is a crucial test of which direction we will go.

McCain has NOT lost his

McCain has NOT lost his honor. He never had any.

I bet we'd hear all kinds of

I bet we'd hear all kinds of right-wing hysteria if anybody at an Obama rally was yelling for McCain or Palin's blood. I bet the right-leaning media would be screaming if people started calling Palin a "domestic terrorist" for her connection to the AIP, a group with ties to Iran. I bet that if anybody connected even remotely with the Obama/Biden camp had shouted these things, the FBI would already have them in custody. There are laws to prevent people from threatening elected officials and candidates, but, as with so much "law" in the USA, we can see that the enforcement of it is awfully one-sided. Law? What law?

Thank you Keith! Most of us

Thank you Keith! Most of us have vowed "never again". We can call it out and we can VOTE!!!

Everything I'm reading here

Everything I'm reading here is smack on the money. Thank you Keith and everyone else. I recently remarked to a friend that I couldn't believe voters couldn't see that Sarah Palin was just Dan Quayle with breasts. I now realize I owe Dan Quayle an apology.

Thank you, Mr. Olbermann.

Thank you, Mr. Olbermann. You may have saved Senator Obama's life.

We are the answer. Here in

We are the answer. Here in the USA, it will take USAmericans each one personally, to speak up against vulgar crude language publicly inciting racial violence. John Lewis was there on the bridge, and in the streets. With a soft voice and from a full heart he speaks the truth. Lots of us took part in many demonstrations back in those days. Hatred is a sound that echoes through the years, once heard it cannot be forgot. Bloodshed is an indelible sight. The heat from flames in cities and the rumble of tanks down our avenues burns still in dreams, and you can see it in photos...but the reality, in our neighborhoods, I hope never to see again. So I will say to each friend, each co-worker, each neighbor, anyone seated near: I will repudiate any person, any group that calls down the plague of hatred. Please join in. One by one by one...continue to change the world.

While I would never accuse

While I would never accuse McCain or Palin of instigating such racist and hateful remarks, and will even credit McCain with his weak but sincere protest against his own supporters for their hate based verbal attacks on Obama, they MUST SEE just how their empty and intellectually bankrupt campaign is being supported. It is truly SAD. I do not have any personal vendetta against the republican candidates, but their remaining support base is truly ugly. THIS election IS important, just like the bail-out bill was, because it will be a clear picture of what the American public is thinking. The bail-out bill was carried through against the overwhelming opposition of the American people, and the market crash unending is the only possible result. WE the PEOPLE are bailing OUT of the corrupt markets! McCain must realize that he has boarded a runaway train, but this is his last and only chance to realize his personal ambitions. He can not back out now. He isn't a backer-outer anyway. My sympathy is not untouched, but it is so clearly OBVIOUS that he and his supporters are unbearable to any decent citizen of America. I think his popular vote tally will be shockingly poor, BUT as many as DO vote for him nevertheless will be a shocking picture of just how many Americans are either fools or corrupt themselves.

I have studiously read all

I have studiously read all the above responses. I agree that Keith Olberman has expressed the views that we should all express. The hatred Palin and McCain seem will\ling to foster to achieve their goals, takes the U.S. back to a time we would like to forget, but should not forget. We are all human beings and should respect the right of all of us to live in peace. McCain and his selected VP will do anything to win the presidency and vice presidency. Save us all if they are successful.

KEITH OLBERMANN is so very

KEITH OLBERMANN is so very delicious!!

No one has so far mentioned

No one has so far mentioned what I saw at this last debate that when asked, "Do you think your running mate is qualified to be president" McBush did a lot of stammering. I'm sure that by now he knows that picking APPALLING PALIN was an insulting and STUPID CHOICE.

Strange. We've been used to

Strange. We've been used to "coded" messages of hate from the GOP. At least the demogoguery was couched as patriotism and the bigotry dressed up as plain-speaking populist disgust for those hypocritical liberal elites. Now there it is undraped and unhinged--in all its ugliness. But if the polls are right, it's not just liberal bloggers who are disgusted with the McCain campaign. Increasingly voters are seeing the ugliness of Republican desperation--enough, I hope, to elect Obama. If God is up there, we sure need Him now to protect Senator Obama and guide our country away from this upsurge of lunacy ( a prayer from a wishy-washy agnostic). Maybe Country-First McCain will return to his senses. I'd like to think he has them.

I live in Ohio; right now, I

I live in Ohio; right now, I can't imagine a more controversial place to be ,with the campaign this year, than where I am. Right-wing nutcases over here are screaming for Obama's death. Why? because they see him as an Arab and/or a black man. They say that alone is reason why he should be killed, ASAP. I didn't think that the city of Columbus had that many racists, but I have to tell you, that for this election, the nutcases are coming out of the woodwork. If I was Obama and Biden, I would wear Kevlar protection. Same goes for Bush and Cheney. There's a lot of angry people in this town.

Thanking and agreeing with

Thanking and agreeing with Olbermann, it is Don Ray's creative suggestion that needs traction, too. Personally, I will be acting nonviolently when I cast my vote for Obama and assist others in getting to the polls to behave like peaceful, patriotic citizens. When I watched Frontline last night, it was with great sadness that I learned more of the compromises to his integrity that McCain has chosen for many years. We do NOT need to go back to the 1960's.

Once again Olbermann is

Once again Olbermann is right about john mccain he does nothing except lie and slime anyone opposing him. He has no morals and is willing to do anything to win, including a totally unqualified vice pres. pick, both of which are of low intelligent (5th.- last out of 998)an out of touch with reality.

I daydreamed receiving the

I daydreamed receiving the following email from the Republican Party: "My friends, We apologize for falsely insinuating that ACORN was committing voter fraud. In reality, their canvassers could turn in a million fake registrations and yet it would not create a single illegitimate vote. It's simple: First, each registration is cross-checked by the registrar, and second, matching identification is required at the polls. If by accident Mickey Mouse's application would not be tossed right away it would still take a miracle for the mouse to show up at the polling station, ID in hand. We propagated this obvious nonsense because we're now certain that we'll lose this election. Rather than admit that our policies and our candidates failed to convince Americans we figured we'd instead claim that ACORN and the evil Democrats stole the election. Unfortunately, too many voters were able to put two and two together and called our bluff. But let bygones be bygones - I hope you'll trust us again in 2012. Keep us tuned on Fox News! Sincerely, John McCain and Sarah Palin

Can we talk about real

Can we talk about real issues? No, we can not. We have not talked about real issues since before 1968. The McCain / Palin "campaign" is a hateful murderous parody. Olbermann was not strong enough in pointing out these would be murderers.

McCain ("son of Cain in

McCain ("son of Cain in Irish, BTW) and Palin flunk basic ethics: In US Law silence means nothing, but in ethics, silence gives consent. McCain and Palin are encouraging the murder of a Presidential candidate.

This is Orwellian in its

This is Orwellian in its roots. When I first read it years ago, I could never imagine that I would live in a time that professed it and creates a platform surrounding it. War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength

I am repeating a

I am repeating a statement with which I open every comment I offer in a forum. When, Governor Palin, when will you stop dashing away from media representatives eager to question you? You are guarded by Secret Service personnel for your protection. As public employees they are paid to protect, not to isolate and insulate you from inquiring citizens or media representatives. The Secret Service is not and may not serve to shield you against public inquiry. You are not entitled to deference. You are expected, no required, to answer our questions. When asked a question, Stop and Stand. I demand to hear your extemporaneous responses to questions put to you on behalf of the American people. I have had enough of your evasion -- now is the time to answer. Thank you, Keith Obermann, for exposing the appalling rot within the McCain/Palin campaign. SDC

Let’s just call it what it

Let’s just call it what it is—HATE SPEECH.Why aren’t security guards moving in to arrest the people shouting “kill him”? This shouldn’t be considered political-as-usual or entertainment. America has a disgraceful record of lynchings, shootings and political assassinations. McCain should be warned that his rhetoric has consequences beyond his desire to win the election. If something happens to Obama, McCain and Palin must bear some of the responsibilty. No excuses.

Of course, Olbermann is

Of course, Olbermann is right. McCain has abandoned honor and lost all sense of decency. McCain the demagogue is no more an American patriot than Joseph McCarthy. Evidently, even the mere pursuit of power corrupts.

Why doesn't the President

Why doesn't the President repudiate this type of rhetoric? At present we are a nation faced with economic and social peril. It is the president's role to use the power of his pulpit at this time.

They're not "decent human

They're not "decent human beings." I doubt if either of them would care if one of the shouters tried to assassinate Senator Obama and I suspect they'd feel their hands were clean. How is this different from the Bush/Cheney campaigns? How are the continued court challenges (full panel of a federal appeals court just ordered OH to come up with an effective way of checking on validity of new voter registrations--how long until the election) to voter registrations any different than what happened in 2000 & 2004? After the 2000 elections, I wrote to my elected representatives asking that UN election monitors be requested, since it was clear that the US was no longer able to run a fair election. It was obvious then. Our "let's abdicate our Constitutional power & responsibility" members of Congress have done little to nothing to change this mess or solve the problem. I thought there might be some effort after the 2006 off year elections, but no the "Democratic" Congress continues to roll over for the Bush Administration. It matters little how big of a "lead" Senator Obama establishes--the GOP has made it clear how it intends to "win" this election. Same way it did in 2000 & 2004. We've had 8 years to change that. We haven't.

I thought I would pass this

I thought I would pass this on because it is an example of what is happening todaty and the danger it represents. A former student of mine, now in law school, went to a bar with a friend in Soth Jersey, His friend expressed support for Obama. Someone then shouted "anyone who doesn't vote for McCain is a Nigger lover" and threatened him with violence. The student emailed me because he had read an article which I wrote on the Political Affairs website(I write regularly for their online edition and blog) in which I dealt with suchpeople, the Repubican "base," as the sort of people who are regarded as fascists in the rest of the developed world, the people whom the Republican establishment has cultivated and used for decades. Now that these people see their world collapseing aroundthem, they become more dangerous and much more prone to violence.

As one who was present,

As one who was present, thoughtful and professionally active during the turbulent 60s, I can only mourn the failure of the McPain ticket to recognize what the messages being sent are communicating. To racist and fascist people who fear and hate Obama and what he stands for, they are encouraging the worst in the hearers. To people of good will trying to make the best decision, they are confusing and frightening. They are also suggestive of the kinds of lynchings and race batings and homophobias that have lit fires and incited riots. Our economy is in shambles. We are enmeshed in an illegal and unwinnable war. We live in a country whose leaders have lost the respect and good will of most of the world. The environment is in dire straits. Health "care" isn't able to cope -- and on and on. We need unity, not attacks and fear mongering. If McCain had had the good sense to select a statesman as running mate, he might not be winning. But at least the country would not be in danger of being torn apart. John Lewis was NOT wrong to say what he did. If only people would listen to and think about what he said. If only McPain could hear and think.

The news media have a policy

The news media have a policy of not covering jumpers on bridges or building ledges because they don't want to encourage others to commit suicide. Suppose they all agreed to not broadcast any political rallies in which someone -- even in the audience -- shouts something or holds a sign whose content would be a "clear and present danger" to any other human being. I suppose Fox would be the only network covering it, but it would be a start. Three cheers for Keith Olbermann!

As usual, Keith Olbermann is

As usual, Keith Olbermann is on top of what the rest of main stream media is ignoring. News outlets are failing us and our country by not calling out the McCain/Palin campaign on their continued assault on decency. Senator Obama halted his supporters from even 'booing' McCain by saying: "We don't need that" while Senator McCain and Gov. Palin both stand around like idiots as their supporters yell out things like: "terrorist" and "kill him". It's well beyond a disgrace; McCain and Palin should both be ashamed of themselves and the hatred they've incited. I applaud Olbermann's efforts wholeheartedly and suggest main stream media to take notice and follow suit. Silence is agreement and we cannot afford to fall silent on such an important issues as racism and violence.

That moment when I heard

That moment when I heard someone in the crowd yell "kill him" was when that old feeling crawled up my spine. That feeling of dread that comes over me every time I see angry white people. That feeling that I had when many of my heroes were shot down in their prime before they had a chance to improve the state of the world, the state of our consciousness. I offer this to those who would consider it,PLEASE do not harm this man. If he succeeds or fails let him do it in the same way other presidents have, based on their own decisions. Don't let racism and ignorance steal another opportunity from the people who really need it. Because if one hair is disturbed on his carmel toned head, after JFK,RFK, MLK and Malcolm X, nothing will hold back the fury and the destruction that will follow. America will be shown as a hypocrite to the world. Pledging things in our Constitution that we no longer, if ever, held dear and close to our hearts. The shame our country would feel would be unbearable, we would be unable, like Mr. McCain to look our fellow Americans in the eye, because once again the weak and stupid dictated our future all based on racism. We are all better than that, are we not?

Thank you, Keith Olbermann.

Thank you, Keith Olbermann. Well said. Even if I was pro-McCain, I'd be horrified by this rhetoric, and it's being allowed to grow. It's disgusting, base-less fear-mongering, and frankly anti-American. For to be American is to embrace diversity and people from "elsewhere". Heck, Senator McCain himself was born in Panama, no? And Governor Palin herself is married to a secessionist activist (former president of the Alaskan Independence Party). So, they can dish it, but they can't take it, apparently. Enough hate and fear mongering. Bring on civil decency and discussion of our future together. This is appalling.

Olbermann is right on with

Olbermann is right on with this special Comment. As I listened something dawned on me - Senator McCain only knows about the civil rights riots through history reports because he was a POW in Hanoi when they were tearing this nation apart. He was raised in a Southern Virgnia through his teen years, and he was part of the mostly segregated Navy of the 1960's where African-Americans were relegated to menial seaman's jobs - cook, mechanics, maintenance jobs - rather than officers. He does not have any clear real memory of what happened then, so by the most generous (and I do mean generous) interpretation, Senator McCain truly does not understand the fire he is playing with by inciting these crowds. He never actually experienced this kind of racial hatred's effects in his life. As for Sarah Palin, she was raised in a state that treats its indigenous people as second-class citizens; she embraces many of the religious beliefs that people of color are marked by God as unclean; and she knows exactly what she is doing because she has been told it is the only hope she has of being president and her ambition trumps all. She is too young to understand the race riots of the late 60's except as a history story, which she probably ignores. These two are dangerous because they are ignorant of the results and therefore, cannot understand the true depth of depravity and violence they are encouraging. These two will tear this nation apart if elected, and God help us, they are making sure they tear us apart if they are not!

Dividing and conquering with

Dividing and conquering with false demons has been used successfully for thousands of years and continues to be a successful stratagem. It has been used more recently with great success by Joseph Goebbels for Hitler and Karl Rove for George Bush and John McCain. Whether it is the Nazi's, the neo-Nazi's, or the neo-Cons, the ends justifies any means at any time against anyone. If there is a crisis, exploit it. If there is no crisis create one. Meanwhile the wealthy financiers and industrialists sit on the sidelines and watch and smile and continue to amass their mountains of lucre. Winner take all is their creed.

Olbermann is right. The

Olbermann is right. The shout out demands a response; any decent human being would see that