Our presidential campaign is being wound into a tornado of hatred by McCain and Palin. I am afraid and I am feeling powerless about it. How many times have we asked ourselves how the Germans could have gone along with Hitler’s plans? The hatred being spread in McCain’s rallies begin to answer that question. Just a sampling…
Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Dish:
This is a moment of maximal physical danger for the young Democratic nominee. And McCain is playing with fire. If he really wants to put country first, he will attack Obama on his policies – not on these inflammatory, personal, creepy grounds. This is getting close to the atmosphere stoked by the Israeli far right before the assassination of Rabin.
Jonathan Martin at Politico:
“Terrorist!” one man screamed Monday at a New Mexico rally after McCain voiced the campaign’s new rhetorical staple aimed at raising doubts about the Illinois senator: “Who is the real Barack Obama?”
“He’s a damn liar!” yelled a woman Wednesday in Pennsylvania. “Get him. He’s bad for our country.”
Adam Aigner at NBC:
As seen at recent McCain events, this afternoon’s crowd was vocal in their support for McCain and their anger with Senator Obama. At one point one man could be heard yelling, “Off with his head,” when McCain spoke about Obama’s tax plan.
Ta-Nehisi Coates at the Atlantic:
Let me be clear–This is the ghost that McCain Campaign is summoning. This is the Ring Of Power that they want to wield. The Muslim charge, the “Hussein” thing is nothing more than today’s red-baiting, and it is what it was then–a cover for racists. You may say I’m overreacting, and I really hope you’re right. 999,000 out 1 million times we’ll go on like normal and proceed to Election Day. But if some shit pops off, the thug and thug-mongers will not be able to throw up their hands and say “How could I have known?” Ignorance will not save them. Their stupidity is a scourge on us all.
I pray for the safety of Barak and his family. This has got to be a terrifying time to be on the campaign trail. Mary offers a prayer for peace.