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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



McCain camp defends the behavior?

Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008 3:30 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
Earlier today, Obama remarked on recent outbursts of "Traitor!" "Terrorist!" and "Kill him!" at McCain campaign events. "It's easy to rile up a crowd," Obama said. "Nothing's easier than riling up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that's not what we need right now in the United States."

In response, McCain senior adviser Nicolle Wallace released this statement, NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports. "Barack Obama's assault on our supporters is insulting and unsurprising. These are the same people obama called 'bitter' and attacked for 'clinging to guns' and faith. He fails to understand that people are angry at corrupt practices in Washington and Wall Street and he fails to understand that America's working families are not 'clinging' to anything other than the sincere hope that Washington will be reformed from top to bottom."

"Attacking our supporters is a new low for the campaign that's run more millions of dollars of negative ads than any other in history."

*** UPDATE *** McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers adds in another statement: “Barack Obama’s attacks on Americans who support John McCain reveal far more about him than they do about John McCain. It is clear that Barack Obama just doesn’t understand regular people and the issues they care about. He dismisses hardworking middle class Americans as clinging to guns and religion, while at the same time attacking average Americans at McCain rallies who are angry at Washington, Wall Street and the status quo."

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They are actually DEFENDING these biggots?!?!?!

HOW PATHETIC CAN THEY GET??
So if you're angry, it's OK to slander someone and incite a crowd to such levels of anger that would incite violence against an individual, and to call them on it is "an assault"? This is truly un-American. The GOP should be ashamed of themselves.
You have got to be kidding me!!!  Well, that lets the American people know that the McCain campaign sees NOTHING wrong in calling a senator running for president, a traitor and a terrorist.  Even worse, they see NOTHING wrong in threatening his life!  They have sunk to an all time low.
I agree people are angry...but it is up to the leader to set the tone.  If the leader's tone is firm, respectful and focused on the issues, then the crowd will also be respectful and focused on the issues........that is if the leader is in fact a leader....
Hey, Nicholle--you might want to tell your boss we're losing our shirts out here in the good ole USA.  If McLame loses a house he's still got 6 or 7 more, if I lose a house--I'm homeless!  Anything to say about that???
Oh she did not!!!

Un-fracking-believable.  What world does the McCain campaign live in???
Wow. Senator John McCain's campaign just hit a new low, and I did not know that was possible. To defend bigots is digusting. How can he get away with this?

Feel free to comment:
http://lastofourkind.blogspot.com
Does this mean that the McCain camp CONDONES the behavior of those calling Obama a terrorist and suggesting he should be killed or bombed?  Have the McCainiacs made any comment on this outrageous behavior?  Even as delusional as they are, they can't really deny that it's happening, can they?
My question back to Ms. Wallace is do her candidates think yelling out traitor, kill him, and terrorist are appropriate responses from their supporters?  She should be condemning those kinds of comments, not making them more acceptable.
This McCain campaign is UNBELIEVABLE. Really!

They got given a chance to act like reaonable human beings and possibly lift the image of their campaign, but they failed.

SHAME TO WHOEVER IS CALLING THE SHOTS IN THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN.
is she serious? Nicole Wallace has NO credibility. I realize she is working for McCain and her job is to spin, but this is beyond silly.

In addition to seeing the back of John McCain and Sarah Palin after November 4th, I can't wait to see the back of Nicole Wallace and Tucker Bounds!
Nicolle "That's what you are, but what am I" Wallace,

is a sad, angry, repetive, negative, person.

Tune up the resumes republicans, the show is nearing
an end.

Obama08
Wallace = Tucker in a dress.  That must be a boiler plate response.  They use it for everything because Obama didnt attack the supporters, he commented on Palin and McCain's need to spread hate and fear because they lack any ability to inspire.
How can the McCain campaign defend what was shouted
by saying, and I quote:

"He fails to understand that people are angry at corrupt practices in Washington and Wall Street and he fails to understand that America's working families are not 'clinging' to anything other than the sincere hope that Washington will be reformed from top to bottom."

Shouting "Terrorist" and "Kill Him" does not show anger at the economy and reform of government. It shows PURE HATRED OF OBAMA. This is UNACCEPTABLE and the McCain Campaign should be condemning it not condoning it. How disgraceful. I am completely ashamed.

You think Palestinians, Egyptians, Afghanis, and Iranians are shouting "Death to America" because they are upset about their economies and government?

How absolutely ridiculous.
SO MCCAIN IS SAYING HE AGREES WITH HIS SUPPORTERS THAT YELL KILL OBAMA? SO MUCH FOR HONOR MCCAIN..THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL FOR YOU AND PALIN BOTH!!!!

I CANT WAIT UNTIL NOVEMBER 4TH WHEN BARACK OBAMA IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT ELECT!!!!
"Barack Obama's assault on our supporters is insulting and unsurprising."

Obama was not assaulting McCain's supporters. He was merely stating that the McCain campaign is stoking anger and division. This is obviously what they are doing when they are viciously trying to raise questions about Obama's character through insinuations about his associations.
Does that mean that the were against racism before they were against it?

Spare me McCain Campaign
are you kidding me? The McCain supporters are angry about corruption in wahsington that the republicans did so that is the reason they are threatning Obama's life and calling him a traitor. this makes no sense. How in the world can McCain condone this behavior? Kerry said McCain should be disqualified. Hopefully on Nov 4th we can send Palin and McCain their walking papers.
WHAT THE HELL???????
Did her head spin all the way around when she said that?
wow!!! lol..

"It's easy to rile up a crowd," Obama said. "Nothing's easier than riling up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that's not what we need right now in the United States."

-----------------------------------------------------

Who riled up that crowd??? I think that was attack on Mccain.  These people always pick there own little truth outta everything that obama says.

Its like trying to have an argument with my girlfriend but she just keeps hearing what she wants to hear.
Why isnt the press making a bigger deal about these racist remarks at the rally.

There is a time to be politically correct and there is a time to say whats offensive and unacceptable.

MsNBC stop trying to make it seem like this is happening at both rallies. IT ISNT or it would be the lead off on every news channel. " BARRACK HAS TERRORIST AT HIS RALLYS".

Call it like it is your are looking pathetic.

McCain's rallys are bitter, racist and alarming.
These guys are ridiculous.  Are you serious?  It sure sounds like they are defending people who shout "Kill Him" and use racial epithets towards media members.  I mean these guys are so tone deaf it's almost comical.  If you weren't sure how McCain/Palin are completely wrong for this country than you should be well aware now.
*looks exasperated*  EXCUSE ME?  since when is it okay to yell 'Kill Him', 'Terrorist' or 'Traitor'?  Obama is being nice about saying its wrong.  But from what I read, the majority of American People with common sense condem this behavior much stronger and McCain's camp needs to stop allowing this rude outbursts before something really bad happens because they are encouraging this where riots or something worse will happen.

This is not unifying the people of the United States who are all suffering with job losses, retirements that are funded in the stock market dissapearing and now the global markets are melting down.

This is despicable of what McCain's camp are doing.  I'm an independent and this is NOT how I want my country ran.  We are nation of all nationalities, this Mob mentality is not what we need.

Frustrated with Politics.
Actually, Nicole, Obama was criticzing MCCAIN, not the Hitler Youth and Brown Shirts who attend his rallies.  

Obama leads.  McCain divdes.  Hope vs Hate.  It's an easy choice.  
BS Wallace, BS! Your supporters are not shouting inflamatory remarks like Traitor and Kill Him at Washington as a whole for its corruption or at Wall Street as a group for their practices. Your supporters are targeting Obama as an individual with these nasty labels and filthy names and calls to "kill him". They are not yelling kill Washington. They are not yelling that Washington is a traitor. They are yelling at OBAMA!

You are so full of crap Wallace it makes one sick. And who gives a crap if Obama upsets these narrow minded idiots by responding to their nasty comments and divisiveness. He dosn't need them to win the election anyway, whether they are from your gun toting sections of the country or from the inner cities.

If these people want reform in Wassington from top to bottom as you say then would McCain not go before Obama. He has been a part of the Washington establishment a hell of a lot longer than Obama.

Wallace, your comments are not only stupid and lame they are down right sickening.
You have got to be kidding me. Every time I think they couldn't possibly get more insulting or or offensive or transparently nonsensical, they throw out a response like this. If they are elected, I don't think I, or we as a nation, will ever be able to live down the shame.
John McCain is proving yet again that he is nothing but a prostitute. All he wants is the White House, and he will do whatever it takes to get there.

America, if you vote for this fraudulent America-hating fear-monger as our next president, I'm out. John McCain has proven to be nothing short of a feckless thug and a soulless, gutless coward. Frankly, he is more disgusting than George W. Bush. Say what y'all will about Obama; at least he's not out there trying to win the support of people who carelessly throw around the word "terrorist," the same people who claimed they would never forget the lesson of 9/11.

Congratulations, you anti-American social terrorists. You HAVE FORGOTTEN 9/11.
WHAT?!?  They are DEFENDING the supporters?  Oh wow, that's it, the jig is up!
Barack Obama got out of the shower and was drying off when he looked in
the mirror and noticed he was white from the neck up to the top of his
head.

In sheer panic and fearing he was turning white and might lose the election,
he called his doctor and told him of his problem.

The doctor advised him to come to his office immediately.  After an
examination, the doctor mixed a concoction of brown liquid, gave it to
Barack, and told him to drink it all.
Barack drank the concoction and replied, 'That tasted like bullshit!'

The doctor replied, 'It was, you were a quart low.'
 



Truth at hand (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 2:17 PM)
*****************************************************
Supporters like this Nicole?
Shame on you FR for posting this garbage. You claim to "approve" comments before posting them so which one is it? Do you randomly throw up our comments and lazily trash the rest of them or do you think racist humor is funny enough to post?
I am done with you FR. You allowing garbage like this to be posted here is intolerable and I will not support you anymore.

Laughs, I love the spin McLame and company put on this...trust me, if Obama supporters had done what I saw McLame supports do in Wisconsin last night - McLame and company would had held Obama personally responsible and wanted him arrested and charged immediately....Oh and I do adore the "staged" angry people in the front of the crowd...great touch..NOT
Where did he dismiss supporters?  Obama said that McCain is dividing the country and it isn't what we need right now.

More proof that McCain just hears what they want to hear instead of listening.

McCain and the Hate Talk Express.
Excuse me? Barack is attacking McCain supporters??  I heard not a word about the "treason," "terrorist," "kill him," and "off with his head" comments from Obama. I heard those comments on the news channels, and they had it all on film to prove it. It's plain that Palin and McCain are stirring up the dirt and promoting hate at their own rallies. They can't blame any of this on Obama.
OoooooooH Please Nicole - you can't be defending "Kill him" "Traitor" and "Terrorist"

This is United State Senator. Who sworn in just like Senator John McCain.

Respect! for "That One"

Obama 08!
Hate & division, now THAT's a new approoach!!
The actions of the McCain/Palin ticket over the past week have shown the absolute WORST in American politics, especially during such a turbulent time. Inciting people who are already hurting and upset into action can cause dire consequences. The fact that they would try to spin it for a political purpose further is even more symbolic of how out of touch these people are. I hope they rot in hell.
"Attacking supporter?"  Obama was not attacking anybody b=with his comments.  He was criticizing those who would rile up the supporters, to the point theat they were yelling for people to be killed.

I guess McCain is happy that his supporters are yelling out "Terrorist" in response to his question "Who is Barrack Obama?"
Huh? He wasn't attacking the supporters, he was referring to McCain and Palin's speeches that are  stoking anger and division with their 100% negative campaign.  
I can not believe that John McCain would try to move this country back 30 years. Palin is the most daming person I ever seen. She should have stopped that kind of behavior in its tracks, but she just smiles and goes on as if there is nothing wrong with a crowd yelling such offense things. Allowing someone to shout out threats against another Presidental canidate is appalling. Thats what people did 30 years ago. Now we have a woman who uses her office for personal matters, lets her husband use her office for personal matters. And allows racial comments and death threats. What was John McCain thinking when he chose this lowest of the low woman. They must do thing different in Alaska. This woman is supposed to be Vice President and possibly President to the whole country, black, white and all those between. Yet she has moved people back 30 years. Sad very sad day, as people of all color put their lives on the line in Iraq and she has the gall to allow and with her sick smile support that kind of action. Send her back to Alaska before she does more damage
What I'm angry about is how the McCain response insults people's intelligence about the relationship of stoking people's base emotions instead of their brains. I guess the outburst are the actions the McCain group feels are good for the country!
Obama ws critical of McCain and Palin for inciting the anger and violent, racist reactions.  We aren't stupid, Wallace.  We know the attacks are based on false accusations of a personal nature and have nothing to do with the economy.  McCain and Palin are the worst of the wordt - hypocritical, lying, racist power junkies.  Obama has stayed on point dealing with the economy and has presented ideas, not attacks.
For anyone to sit there and criticize the Obama camp from attempting to set the record straight  shows the insanity and incredible arrogance of that treasonist McCain camp.
Does this mean that McCain and Palin approve of people making threats agaist Obama. These people I hope are being investigated by the FBI and Secret Service. If McCain and Palin are inciting hate then they should be investigated as well.
He wasn't attacking the supporters, he was addressing the way in which you have envoked such a nasty attack from the American people. Republican or Dem, it doesn't matter, this isn't the way to rally the support of the A,erican people.

Do you support the way these supporters of yours support you??? This type of support is not support; it's hatered caused by the way your campaign addresses issues when you're behind
lol... that is so funny. The GOP just seem to think the hungry americans are fools. Stop building anger in your people against the opponent. Build your anger agaisnt the current administration. but after all, its the same McBush people that went to Iraq after 911 and not Afghanistan. Like Ed Rollins said yesterday. Its Over! Obama is not the enemy McCain, its is bush. he took it from you then and is taking it away from you now.
In response, McCain senior adviser Nicolle Wallace released this statement, "Barack Obama's assault on our supporters is insulting and unsurprising. These are the same people obama called 'bitter' ... Attacking our supporters is a new low for the campaign that's run more millions of dollars of negative ads than any other in history."

How does Wallace look in the mirror? Seriously, it's amazing that the McCain campaign has ignored the outbursts of "Traitor!" "Terrorist!" and "Kill him!" at McCain rallies. The media has been restrained in not attacking both McCain and Palin for ignoring these chants. This has been going on for over a week now, and Obama did not bring it up, but was asked about it, and his response was restrained.

Nicolle Wallace and the rest of the McCain spokesman are so far removed from reality, or have such little respect for the intelligence of the American people that they continue to spout moronic talking points and criticize Obama, when their actions deserve criticism.

What did Obama say wrong? Nothing. Nicolle Wallace's response indicates, not merely a lack of understanding of the inappropriate chants from the McCain rallies, but campaign approval of the death threats, etc from the crowd. She didn't say one word regarding how these were just a few isolated people out of thousands, or that the campaign doesn't condone their conduct, instead she criticizes Obama for his subdued response.

Even if Obama had not received death threats starting in 2007, which the secret service found serious enough to start providing protection 10 months before the Iowa caucus, the McCain campaign's silence on these outbursts would be reprehensible. However in light of the death threats, and past assignation attempts of political leaders, the McCain campaigns silence when  someone in the crowd shouts "kill him", etc., and their failure to distance the campaign from the conduct, and instead defend their "supporters" is beyond the pale.

The McCain campaign makes the Bush campaign tactics look respectable!  
If the supporters are so angre at the corrupt policies in Washington, why are they yelling "kill Him" towards Obama?
They have to issue 2 statements?  McToast and Flailin'
"Traitor"

"Terrorist"

"Sit down, boy"

"Kill him!"

Yep . . .just average middle-class Americans.

Oh . . . by the way . . . Obama was blaming McCain/Palin . . . not the crowd.
So when the first shot is fired in Obamas direction and one of our brave Secret Service people or God forbid the Senator himself is stuck, is Nicolle Wallace still going to spouting this crap. The Secret Service should tell the McCain campaign if they don't stop this crap that they are on there own. McCain is not a hero he is a COWARD and if I met him I would tell him that to his face!!!!!
Really...It's nice to see uninformed voters yelling racial slurs and basically being hateful to further someone who is flawed consider themselves as being "working class."  This is most repulsive campaign I have ever beared witness to; the McCain camp is stoking this by putting out this type of release.  All this does is keep the level of hate at a high.

Thanks for putting your interests first and country last.


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