McCain: "... be respectful."

[baylorles]

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

OCTOBER 10, 2008 6:23
McCain Denounces Pitchfork-Wavers
Posted by Ana Marie Cox | Comments (137) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This
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."

[atxtraveler]

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

Yes... all republicans are pitchfork waving racists...

[tommie]

It's why I've always liked McCain.

[SoTex]

I really think he gets it. There's part of me that's truly scared of Obama. Not in the way that these people communicate (terrorist, etc.), but in the sense that I don't want a form of socialism as my government.

[Volunteer]

Obama is not a terrorist and he's not an Islamo Fascist either. He is, however, an extremely liberal politician and I do question his affiliations.

Bill Ayers did terrible things and is not remorseful. There are simply some things that can be forgiven - but not forgotten. Obama should have the character to avoid an affiliation with Ayers - yet he does not. Obama knew what Ayers was and still accepted his help. That's wrong.

Rev. Wright is a bigot and an America hater. We don't need his kind of vitroil any more that we need vitroil from the extreme right. Obama listened to over 500 sermons from Rev. Wright and claims to be unaware of the issue. Really? I'm supposed to believe this? Not a chance.

Obama has a serious problem with some of his associates. In my mind this disqualifies him from being president just like McCain would be disqualified if he hung out with skin heads. There's no difference.

[Limnos]

McCain gets it.

[GigaBear]

McCain also gets that he will not be the next POTUS.


I wish they would just get the election over with already so I can stop hearing about all this crap. Everybody knows Obama is going to win now, so we may as well start planning accordingly.

[atxtraveler]

McCain also gets that he will not be the next POTUS.


I wish they would just get the election over with already so I can stop hearing about all this crap. Everybody knows Obama is going to win now, so we may as well start planning accordingly.

I am glad you have not lost your sense of humor!

[Limnos]

aaaaaahhhhh......it's good to be young and naive.

[GigaBear]

aaaaaahhhhh......it's good to be young and naive.



One time in the history of US elections has someone won in spite of a 6+ point difference in the polls. Not only are the independents swinging towards Obama, the republican base is very much uninspired and will NOT turn out heavily at the polls.


This race is over barring a miracle, plain and simple. I'm not sure whether that makes ME naive or YOU naive. :

[Texas Golfer]

McCain also gets that he will not be the next POTUS.


I wish they would just get the election over with already so I can stop hearing about all this crap. Everybody knows Obama is going to win now, so we may as well start planning accordingly.

Planning won't help. Obama will win, families and small businesses will get further in debt, and there's nothing any planning is going to do to prevent it.

[ChipOC]

Good for McCain. Nice to see him take the high road.

Giga, was it over when the Germans bombed Perl Harbor?

[GigaBear]

Good for McCain. Nice to see him take the high road.

Giga, was it over when the Germans bombed Perl Harbor?



"....Forget it, he's rollin'....."

[SoTex]

Seriously. Many POTUS elections turned out contrary to polls just days before the election. Heck, if I recall (and I was living in Florida at the time), the EXIT polls in Florida showed W had lost only to find out he hadn't.

It is FAR from over, Giga. I'm not saying Obama won't end up winning, but to say it's over is definitely naive (at best). I don't mean that as a slam on you, it's simply a fact.

[GigaBear]

Seriously. Many POTUS elections turned out contrary to polls just days before the election. Heck, if I recall (and I was living in Florida at the time), the EXIT polls in Florida showed W had lost only to find out he hadn't.

It is FAR from over, Giga. I'm not saying Obama won't end up winning, but to say it's over is definitely naive (at best). I don't mean that as a slam on you, it's simply a fact.



The latest poll had McCain gaining 4 percentage points----and he's still down by 7. That would top the margin that Carter had over Reagan when Reagan won in 1980, and that was far and away the largest upset ever.

If Obama stumbles and says that he's an America-hating terrorist, McCain might have a shot. Until then, I personally think it's over.

[SoTex]

Do you remember this from 1992?

At one point, Perot led the national public opinion polls with support from 39% of the voters (versus 31% for Bush and 25% for Clinton).

Clinton went on to win (obviously) even though he only had 25% support based on polls earlier that year.

[Bexar Fan]

Rodney Dangerfield gets more respect from me than either McCain or Obama.

[SoTex]

Bexar Fan,

Listen to the speech McCain gave today if you can. He's doing now what he should have been doing the last two months. But at least he's doing it.

[Bexar Fan]

I will.

[Limnos]

This race is over barring a miracle, plain and simple. I'm not sure whether that makes ME naive or YOU naive. :
I have confirmed that it is YOU. ;)

[LIQRinPU]

Rodney Dangerfield gets more respect from me than either McCain or Obama.


Agree. McCain is just the lesser of two evils.

[Volunteer]

Good for McCain. Nice to see him take the high road.



Too bad the other side hasn't taken the high road. They've torn into Palin and yesterday a democrat congressman said McCain was just like Gov. Wallace.

[nein51]

Ty is often wrong but he isnt on this one barring some sort of bombshell. I dont know if Jesus himself could overcome the national media and they are completely and totally behind Obama. It is scary to watch the media lobby for a candidate but it is happening and it is working incredibly well.

I am learning that things are never as bad as they seem but I doubt this turns out well.

[Texas Golfer]

Ty is often wrong but he isnt on this one barring some sort of bombshell. I dont know if Jesus himself could overcome the national media and they are completely and totally behind Obama. It is scary to watch the media lobby for a candidate but it is happening and it is working incredibly well.

I am learning that things are never as bad as they seem but I doubt this turns out well.

True journalism is dead. The media can create monsters out of angels and angels out of monsters. The voters won't see McCain or Palin in a good light because the media won't show them in one and the voters won't see Obama or Biden in a bad light because the media won't show them in one. The voters see only what the media wants them to see.

It doesn't help that some of the network TV shows are using their shows to plant subliminal messages as in Boston Legal. I love the show but get turned off when the use their courtroom scenes to bash the administration and conservatives justices.

The media can decide the election and that's scary.

[atxtraveler]

The latest poll had McCain gaining 4 percentage points----and he's still down by 7. That would top the margin that Carter had over Reagan when Reagan won in 1980, and that was far and away the largest upset ever.

If Obama stumbles and says that he's an America-hating terrorist, McCain might have a shot. Until then, I personally think it's over.

Anyone have some crow for young Tyrus?

[GigaBear]

Anyone have some crow for young Tyrus?


I'll eat it, just give me some mustard.


God, I hope I have to scarf it down.

[Texas Golfer]

I'll eat it, just give me some mustard.


God, I hope I have to scarf it down.

With mustard, be careful. Be very, very careful.

[Volunteer]

I'll eat it, just give me some mustard.


God, I hope I have to scarf it down.

It does look pretty bleak, doesn't it. But remember that old saying, "It's always darkest before things go absolutely black", or something like that.:D

It ain't over. Hopefully at some point the electorate will actually look at Barack's record and associations. Maybe they'll ultimately decide that rolling the dice with Barack is not a sane thing to do.

[atxtraveler]

I'll eat it, just give me some mustard.


God, I hope I have to scarf it down.

Luckily, TG will be at a tailgate after the election, so we have a pretty safe bet on who's shirt we can get it from.

[ChipOC]

Obama is now being linked to ACORN. We'll see if he takes a hit.

[KellerBear]

Obama is now being linked to ACORN. We'll see if he takes a hit.

John McCain was linked to them yesterday...he was a supporter and featured speaker at one of their meetings...it is crazy how many skeletons there are in their closets.

[canuckbear]

John McCain was linked to them yesterday...he was a supporter and featured speaker at one of their meetings...it is crazy how many skeletons there are in their closets.



Exactly. It begs the question, is this the best America has to offer to lead this country?

I know there are many that would be better, but who really wants to go through this dog and pony show where each side slings mud instead of fixing the country's problems.

[The Banterer]

Exactly. It begs the question, is this the best America has to offer to lead this country?

I know there are many that would be better, but who really wants to go through this dog and pony show where each side slings mud instead of fixing the country's problems.

Vote for a third party candidate.

[canuckbear]

Vote for a third party candidate.


I did think about it the other day for a very short minute.

[Texas Golfer]

It has actually become very humorous how the Democratic strategists NEVER answer a question. They only spill out the DNC talking points. I just heard the same answer (almost verbatim) six times to six different and unrelated questions. :laugh:

[The Banterer]

It has actually become very humorous how the Democratic strategists NEVER answer a question. They only spill out the DNC talking points. I just heard the same answer (almost verbatim) six times to six different and unrelated questions. :laugh:

That goes both ways. Neither side answers questions unless they are directly addressing something that they want to talk about anyway. Thus far, concerning the candidates at least, I actually think that Biden has made the most effort to actually address questions, but the bar is set pretty low by Obama and McCain.

[The Banterer]

I did think about it the other day for a very short minute.

As opposed to a long, laborious minute one might spend thinking about Obama or McCain? :D

Seriously though, I think everyone should vote for the candidate who most closely represents their beliefs, regardless of whether or not they "have a chance to win". If we only wanted to vote for winners then we should just move to a one-party system.

[canuckbear]

As opposed to a long, laborious minute one might spend thinking about Obama or McCain? :D


Seriously though, I think everyone should vote for the candidate who most closely represents their beliefs, regardless of whether or not they "have a chance to win". If we only wanted to vote for winners then we should just move to a one-party system.

Hit the nail on the head.


Also, My minutes vary in length, I'm on a Canadian thought plan by cingular.

[ChipOC]

That goes both ways. Neither side answers questions unless they are directly addressing something that they want to talk about anyway. Thus far, concerning the candidates at least, I actually think that Biden has made the most effort to actually address questions, but the bar is set pretty low by Obama and McCain.Boy is that the truth. I was frustrated during the VP debate for Palin evading the actual position and blowing out campaign talking points. McCain did it too. I just want to hear where they stand and what their plan is going to be.

McCain at least finally put out a financial plan this week. Bought time dude.

I thought Obama did a better job of answering some of the questions. I don't care for his answers though. Like the plumber asking him if his plan would raise taxes on him and Obama actually said yes, but then we can spread the wealth to more people. HELLO, what country is this?

[KellerBear]

I still wonder why there is no "None of the Above" box...it makes sense...if the majority of the people don't trust either candidate as the leader of their party, why should we the American people be stuck with them.

[quash]

I still wonder why there is no "None of the Above" box...it makes sense...if the majority of the people don't trust either candidate as the leader of their party, why should we the American people be stuck with them.
HUGE fan of NOTA ballots. I think it would change politics in under a year.

[Bexar Fan]

.......the bar is set pretty low by Obama and McCain.
Indeed.

I still wonder why there is no "None of the Above" box...it makes sense...if the majority of the people don't trust either candidate as the leader of their party, why should we the American people be stuck with them.
Yes, except if "None of the Above" won, we'd be stuck with both the incumbent, and a whole new campaign season.

Now there is a depressing thought!

[Volunteer]

I thought Obama did a better job of answering some of the questions. I don't care for his answers though. Like the plumber asking him if his plan would raise taxes on him and Obama actually said yes, but then we can spread the wealth to more people. HELLO, what country is this?

It's a helluva way to buy votes.

"I'll pay you. Yes, you'll get a tax refund even if you don't pay income taxes. How's that work, you say? Well I'll just take it from ChipOC and give it to that dude that lives under the bridge."

[KellerBear]

Indeed.


Yes, except if "None of the Above" won, we'd be stuck with both the incumbent, and a whole new campaign season.

Now there is a depressing thought!

But what if all the hoopla had to start earlier in the season...so that if a NOTA vote was passed, they had to find someone new and it would cause only a little more time to be added onto the incumbent's role....

[Bexar Fan]

Are you saying we would have a NOTA vote option during the primaries? Then if NOTA won, we would have another shorter primary? What happens If NOTA keeps winning?

[KellerBear]

Well...at that point...we would just ask you to run the country until a new person is chosen.

[nein51]

To Ty's earlier point, just looking at the voting map tells you that this election is basically over. Time to start bracing for it.

[Bexar Fan]

Well...at that point...we would just ask you to run the country until a new person is chosen.
Yay!! POWER!!!! :cool:

I will campaign for NOTA!!! ;)

[HappyRebel]

Are you saying we would have a NOTA vote option during the primaries? Then if NOTA won, we would have another shorter primary? What happens If NOTA keeps winning?

Well...at that point...we would just ask you to run the country until a new person is chosen.

Yay!! POWER!!!! :cool:

I will campaign for NOTA!!! ;)


I will vote for NOTA....Bexar Fan...I will vote for you...:thumbup:

[Texas Golfer]

That goes both ways. Neither side answers questions unless they are directly addressing something that they want to talk about anyway. Thus far, concerning the candidates at least, I actually think that Biden has made the most effort to actually address questions, but the bar is set pretty low by Obama and McCain.

I'm not talking about the candidates. I'm talking about the strategists.

[SoTex]

To Ty's earlier point, just looking at the voting map tells you that this election is basically over. Time to start bracing for it.

I always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I'm taking it a step further and will make sure that I vote. The biggest fear is that if the gap isn't closed a little more then people will surely give up and just not vote. Sad, but true.

[ChipOC]

I thought McCain did really well last night. I don't see how people are saying Obama won.

[atxtraveler]

I thought McCain did really well last night. I don't see how people are saying Obama won.

Can you please move to a swing state in the next couple weeks?

[Texas Golfer]

I always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I'm taking it a step further and will make sure that I vote. The biggest fear is that if the gap isn't closed a little more then people will surely give up and just not vote. Sad, but true.

That's okay. There will be several Democrats that vote several times to make up for those who don't go vote. :D

[ChipOC]

That's okay. There will be several Democrats that vote several times to make up for those who don't go vote. :D
Why not when they are getting paid?

[atxtraveler]

Why not when they are getting paid?

Do dead men also know how to cash their checks?

[GigaBear]

I thought McCain did really well last night. I don't see how people are saying Obama won.



Too little too late. I highly doubt he's going to be able to make up the difference in the couple of weeks.


McCain might've won the debate (he won the part I saw, IMO), but he's not going to win the race.

[atxtraveler]

Too little too late. I highly doubt he's going to be able to make up the difference in the couple of weeks.


McCain might've won the debate (he won the part I saw, IMO), but he's not going to win the race.

Have they already started counting votes? I always tell the pollsters the opposite of what I really feel. I enjoy having them be way off like in 2004.

[The Banterer]

Have they already started counting votes? I always tell the pollsters the opposite of what I really feel. I enjoy having them be way off like in 2004.

Why? Exit polls have historically been accurate, so intentionally misleading them would do nothing more than promote doubt and chaos within the election system. I don't see an advantage in lying to try to manipulate polls, unless you think they'll just stop conducting them altogether due to statistical anomalies.

[Volunteer]

Why? Exit polls have historically been accurate, so intentionally misleading them would do nothing more than promote doubt and chaos within the election system. I don't see an advantage in lying to try to manipulate polls, unless you think they'll just stop conducting them altogether due to statistical anomalies.

The exit polls didn't work very well in the 2000 election. This one's probably going to be close as well.

[The Banterer]

The exit polls didn't work very well in the 2000 election. This one's probably going to be close as well.

That's why I said historically. For the vast majority of 20th century elections they were very accurate. For the last two, not so much.

[GigaBear]

The only good news for McCain is that pollsters don't really talk to republicans who vote repub for the sake of voting repub. For example, my family certainly hasn't been polled, but McCain will get votes from all of them (despite the fact that they couldn't name more than one of McCain's policies--pro-life).


The media and the pollsters certainly skew towards the dems, and I think that's what you're seeing in the most recent elections. Many repubs and probably even some "undecides" are going to end up voting McCain when 95% of the room of "independents" they choose say they will be voting for Obama.


That said---Obama still wins by a decent margin. And that is making me more sick each time I type it, but that's why I keep saying it----that way when he gets sworn in, I won't vomit, only choke a little bit.

[GigaBear]

The only good news for McCain is that pollsters don't really talk to republicans who vote repub for the sake of voting repub. For example, my family certainly hasn't been polled, but McCain will get votes from all of them (despite the fact that they couldn't name more than one of McCain's policies--pro-life).


The media and the pollsters certainly skew towards the dems, and I think that's what you're seeing in the most recent elections. Many repubs and probably even some "undecides" are going to end up voting McCain when 95% of the room of "independents" they choose say they will be voting for Obama.

[nein51]

He is going to win by a sizeable margin, this election is not even really going to be close. In terms of electoral votes I will be almost shocked if McCain gets to 150.

[ChipOC]

And yet yesterday Obama only had a 2 point lead, well within the deviation. Don't call it just yet.

[atxtraveler]

It is tough to overcome the MSM machine that is on the Obama wagon. Nothing like working for free to get your taxes raised.

[nein51]

And yet yesterday Obama only had a 2 point lead, well within the deviation. Don't call it just yet.
It isnt his 2 pt lead, it is where he is leading. There is no hope of winning the typically democrat states this time around. This election wont be close in terms of final outcome barring some major (and I mean MAJOR) scandal in the next week.

McCain needs to win every single "toss up" state and he would need to turn some of the ones currently in Obama's camp.

[Texas Golfer]

With all of the voter fraud going on with ACORN throughout the country, particularly in Ohio, I can see another legal battle of 2000 magnitude.

[Bexar Fan]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/
Looking more and more like it is not even close.

[atxtraveler]

It seems like only yesterday....

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/?map=17