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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Comments

Wow. thats all I can say. I am completely shocked. Just when I thought McCain had hit an all time low, he managages to find a way to lower the bar even mar.

Instead of distancing himself from these racists and radical voters he's defending them and encouraging their remarks?

Obama's statement wasn't even directed at the supporters it was directed at McCain: McCain has clearly been trying to encourage these remarks by his terrorist and anti-american obama rhetoric.

Angie for Obama (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:51 PM)

Isn't this a VIOLATION of FEDERAL STATUTES? They are DEFENDING people calling for the assassination of a major party candidate for the Presidency of the United States of America.

What is Going On In Our Country? (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:51 PM)

What a disgusting group of people the McCain campaign has. They are absolutely crazy if they think anyone will believe that is what Obama meant.

In twenty years, we will look back at the campaign McCain has run as a lesson of the regression back to an openly prejudice America.

Luckily, this is only a small pocket of people. The rest of the people in this country find that Obama is sincere, trustworhty, intelligent, and most importantly - a leader.

E Klein, Plano, TX (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:51 PM)

UPDATE

Yes, because common american's care about someone's middle name....

Morons.

DV, CA (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:51 PM)

"Attacks on OUR supporters"?!

I hope Obama is never so desperate that he stands up for voters who seem intent on murder.

I hope Obama is never so desperate that he would put the life of an opposing candidate on the line to snare votes.

McCain is an awful, awful old man.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:51 PM)

Next the McCain camp will be defending the kkk and lynching, shame on the Republican Party for instigating this hate. McCain should explain his link to The U.S. Council for World Freedom The council created by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Sing laub was the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League, an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right- wing death squads in Central America. Yes John McCain was a member.

Bex, Pueblo, Co. (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

They either lack brains or shame or maybe both. The Palin riders Arrogance,ignorance, hate and fear riding are the political four horseman of the Apocalypse and they bring nothing good to the country.

EJ, Weterloo, Iowa (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

Come on McCain people, this is RIDICULOUS.

Stop defending these racists and biggots who are inciting violence and hatred. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.

You have no dignity and no American in their right mind would support this disgusting campaign

Brandon, Madison, WI (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

Lessons well taken by McCain camp from the Klu Klux Klan.

Jen,Mi (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

The "Spin Monster" is working overtime these days for the Republicans. Are we surprised? Two things could happen... it will eat away at Obama's lead or it will drive most sane people to Obama's side. We can only pray and hope for the latter.

Mark (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

Wait a minute....are they actually condoning this type of behavior?

Silly...no, scratch that...DANGEROUS Republicans...

The Drew, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

McCain has lost all credibility!
He is WORSE than BUSH EVEYR THOUGHT OF BEING!
If he can't speak about the Stock market, and how the American people ARE SUFFERING. What will he talk about, or better yet DO when he is in the White House?
He is pitiful, dishonorable, and lacks the insight and CHARACTER to be OUR PRESIDENT!!
He has lowered himself BELOW GEORGE BUSH...and THAT my FREINDS is as low as you can get!!

During at time of economic crisis for our nation...and fears of global recession...
and McCain/Palin are playing ROVE POLITICS!!

It is truly pathetic to watch!
What a shame...

maggiemae (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 3:52 PM)

If this is the mind set of John McCain supporters, then we are in for more of the same with his ticket. Remind me to become a torch and pitch fork wholesaler if-heaven forbid-he gets into office! Sounds like there will be a run on angery mob supplies.

Jessica, Ferndale (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:38 PM)

Again and again the McCain campaign accuses their opponents of doing exactly that which the McCain campaign is doing. Remember when the McCain campaign spent countless hours criticizing the number of, and enthusiasm of, Obama supports at Obama's rallies? Suddenly now that Palin is drawing decent crowds that old line of attack is dropped. But what was it? It was making fun of Obama supporters.

I hope the Republicans don't see the inside of the White House for at least several decades.

The US is in very serious trouble right now thanks to the Trust the Markets gospel of conservatives. Our manufacturing core has been neutered, the middle class has been gutted and the wealthy few are living like Victorian lords and ladies. We have had more than enough of this, thank you.

John, Morgan Hill, California (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:39 PM)

Once a war hero, McCain is now actually a disgrace to America. When was the last time someone fell so far. He is embarassing and humiliating to America, and I'm ashamed that he is an American.

Jon (DC) (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:39 PM)

There is no possible way the Palin/McCain ticket can defend their behavior. It is racist, bigoted and dishonest.

There isn't much you can defend about that.

Joe, MN (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:40 PM)

This really scares me, how much longer and how much more hatefull does the GOP have to get before this really gets out of hand? What do they think will happen after the election, we will all say Ok you were just trying to get elected. They have done some serious and deep damage that will take time to heal. I hope and pray they realize this.

Mark (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:41 PM)

Wow... is the McCain campaign trying to say that 'regular people' yell out kill him, and call peoople terrorist?!? Then I guess I don't understand 'regular' people either! Sounds more like
erratic behavior following the lead of an erratic leader.

Elizabeth in Texas (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:41 PM)

Mccain's trashy, hateful circus of a campaign could not be over soon enough. Full speed to November 4 and kick the bums out!

James, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:41 PM)

I think that McCain, Palin and his wife are really afraid of losing the Presidential races. And the only thing they can do is to throw low blows at Sen. Obama. But you know I think that people are really paying attention and making him stand and stand proud and tall.

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT, Schertz, TX. (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:42 PM)

I’ll tell ya something…

If America isn’t smart enough to turn away from what the small minded nasty republican party is trying to sell us, with the frail and erratic McCain and his sweet hipped, completely unvested, political bimbo Palin, under the guise of racial fear and patriotic smoke.

And instead choose with pride and gusto the wonderful communicator, the well trained and serious minded Obama who has shown a political skill that comes once a century (and that only if we are very, very lucky) with his fair and honest VP choice Joe.

Then maybe we don’t deserve any damn blessings and to hell with us anyway. We will ultimately get what we deserve.

When I Look at and hear the crowds being drawn to the McCain/Palin ticket it chills me to my core. I began to see it at the conventions. The multi colored face of the democratic party and the starkly white Republican.

Each and every rally gets worse and worse. Look at the faces surrounding McCain. Watch them change as they go from Palin to McCain. You can see it plain and it isn’t very pretty America. It is downright hideous. I am so ashamed for the world to see us like this, so terribly ashamed.

It is the words and the pictures coming from the Republicans that is making me lose faith in us. It is the all lies that is making me wonder if we can get through this. It isn’t fear of “it“. It is fear of “them“, and what they, McCain and Palin, seem willing to do to us to get what they want. It is loathing at how they are willing to get it and that they can draw such crowds willing to give it to them.

I do want hope. I want a better and reasoned America. But most of all I don’t want the lies and I most certainly do not want to live with the hate.

XR atlanta (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:42 PM)

McCain and company make me sick!!! They want to defend terrorist and bigots??? Personally if I were running for office and those kinds of people supported me........I would step down!!! I would not want to win an election based on fear and hate....but hey that's just me............I obviously have more morals and values than McCain.

Dawn Tarr, Ada, Ohio (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 5:42 PM)

Just when I tell myself I've seen and heard it all the McCain campaign tops itself. Wow! So if we are to understand the campaign, by Barack pointing out there is hate speech and statements that could represent a threat to a potential president of the USA and a current Senator coming from McCain/Palin supporters in front of the candidates who do and say nothing -- he is attacking "average Americans"?!?! If this is what "average Americans" think is acceptable then what does that say about our country? Dear God we have to get these anti-American, right wing bigots out of power now so we can rebuild our country and stop this insanity.

Velouria, Bellingham, WA (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:29 PM)

These people (the Repugs and their handlers) simply cannot be that stupid. Or can they? Barack was talking about the despicable things Peabrain Sarah and Crazy Johnnie are saying, to the point where thugs are coming out and saying murderous things. Is it possible they can't see the difference in that kind of hatefullness and Barack simply pointing that out? If it is possible, it's going to be a very long time before Repugnants get back in office, because I think the American people see the difference, even if this dimwitted mouthbreather Nicole Wallace can't.

Breathtaking...

Dale S., Parker, CO (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:30 PM)

Mccain Campaign desperate and imploding, news at 11

John Doe (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:30 PM)

Truly unbelievable. This is BEYOND slimy. The McCain campaign has no sense of decency anymore? This is sad.

Sherri, Denver, Colo (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:30 PM)

Nichole Wallace? Wonder if she's related to George Wallace....probably.

Josh, Santa Ana CA (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:30 PM)

The spin is not surprising here and Obama has warned that we will see more of the same in the days to come. I am sure Wallace was sick to her stomach when she had to write this stuff knowing the truth. Couple of more things and that is I now realize that McNothing has turned out to be a COWARD, because a real hero and leader would tell those idiots that there is no place for this type of anger and demand it stops or you will be escorted out the rally, but as we can see McNothing & the empty Pale Palin condones this type of behavior. What if at the Obama rallies people start shouting the same things guess what YOU ARE A TERRORIST!

Express (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:31 PM)

"...average Americans at McCain rallies who are angry at Washington, Wall Street and the status quo."

Question: McCain has been in office for many years. The Republican Party owned Washington for 6 of the last 8 years and it is a defensible position that they still own Congress due to the very small majority held by the Democrats.

So - Why is a 1st term Senator being held up by the McCain campaign as the target of those at the McCain rallies? Why aren't they screaming these invectives at their own candidate and party?

Independent, Texas

Independent, Texas (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:31 PM)

Unbelievable. Country Last McCain, Country Last. How sad that you have squandered a relatively noble career. Defending these hooligans and troublemakers will only engender more of this ugly behavior. You need to step forward like a man and tell them to put a stop to it, now. Shame them for this unacceptable behavior. Stand up and be a leader, if you have any guts left in you. And you need to muzzle your attack dog the vicious, vile, dimwitted Sarah Palin. I pray for a long future of Democratic rule. You Republicans have had your day, and your day is done. Thank god for that.

kurt, los angeles, california (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:32 PM)

Nicole Wallace is unbelievable. What's surprising is that a man who calls himself a leader and maverick doesn't recognize when he's leading his own supporters down a destructive and possibly violent path.Obama didn't insult the supporters, and, please, there's nothing American about shouting "terrorist" or "kill him" into a crowd. What did they think would happen when they started saying he pals around with terrorists and questioning whether he really loves his country?

I've got a question for Palin: Who the hell are you? I never heard of you until 2 months ago and I've got plenty of unanswered questions.

And, frankly, I've had it up to here with MSNBC equating the negative campaigning of McCain-Palin with the Keating ad by saying, "Well, you know this is how campaigns get." It's not even close. Stop treating this like just another fascinating development in the political game. It's vile and it's dangerous. Shame on John McCain. Shame on Sarah Palin. Shame on Nicole Wallace. And shame on every reporter and pundit who doesn't condemn this.

Catherine, San Diego, CA (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:33 PM)

The last time we saw the McCain/Palin kind of campaign tactics was in the Klan rallies of the '50s and in the Germany of the '30s.

I have noticed that every day it gets harder and harder for decent Republicans to support this evil duo...perhaps Ms. Wallace was just more eager to make a deal with the devil.

PHM1949, High Point, NC (the NEW BLUE) (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:33 PM)

It's sad how delusional the McCain campaign has allowed itself to become. Erratic McCain and his ill-thought-out pick are obviously in it simply for the fame. If not they might have taken the time to do some homework before stepping out onto the national stage in order to decide on a platform that doesn't change with the wind. Everything they do is knee-jerk reactionary, and every time they come out looking like buffoons they pretend it was the opposition who actually did it first. They are so childish its frightening! Nicolle Wallace's comments simply embody the thesis of their Hate Talk Express.

Cendy E (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:37 PM)

McCain has 12 automobiles and 9 homes in 3 DIFFERENT time zones. Barack was raised by a single mother on food stamps. He owns one house and drives one car, yet he's THE elitist. McCain and friends are pushing the same ole snakeoil!!!

chris hodgson, miami beach, florida (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:38 PM)

McCain and staff just don't get it. To be condoning aggression and slurs is atrocious. They are the real risky ones.

atd (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:38 PM)

You would think they (the advisers) would have jumped on this opportunity to take corrective measures and change the direction of things rather than fuel the fire. This type of sentiment is a reflection of poor decision making skills and leadership with in the campaign. These types of comments are not lost on the American People and is probably the single largest blemish on the McCain campaign .The straight talk express has officially derailed and is not coming back. What happened to the John McCain of 2000? If this is the best the GOP could come up with, they need to call it quits, cut their losses and re-group with 2012 in mind.

Ro Farrow Honolulu Hawaii (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:38 PM)

Their twisting of reality reminds me of the pigs in Animal Farm.

atd (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:40 PM)

We in Alaska can't wait for the recall. Ms. Palin is turning out to sound more and more like a racist. She is the one influencing McCain the most I'd imagine. Now it looks as if her ties to the group that wants Alaska to break from the U.S. are becoming more and more clear. Does that make sense during these difficult times? We need people who can unite this country and keep the states from breaking away. If that happens, the gunslinging survivalists may all get their way. Alert yourselves to the Alaskan blogs.

Look up the truth (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:40 PM)

It may be time to officially declare the Republican party to be a hate group. The reckless and dangerous tactics the Republicans use are anti-American.

America, witness the ugly hate spewing CLAN that the Republican Party has become.

Republicans The Criminal Party (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:41 PM)

Yes, the McCain campaign's statements are as absurd and reprehensible as the bigotry being encouraging at their rallies, but why does this site have to post these statements as is? Your masthead refers to "political news and analysis" - where for art they? By merely publishing Obama's quote next to two quotes from McCain's camp without any context, comment or analysis, you are lending them unwarranted equivalency and providing no journalistic service whatsoever. Journalism is about presenting both the facts and the truth, not regurgitating candidate's statements verbatim. Otherwise, you are doing the candidates' bidding for them - more so McCain, who deserves as little uncritical media attention as possible for his pathetic, desperate attacks on Obama.

Brett, California (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:41 PM)

"stoking anger and division, but that's not what we need right now...(we need leadership)"which you didn't quote is seen as an ATTACK?

excuse me. But I do think calling a PERSON a "terrorist," "traitor," or calling for one's DEATH as in, "Kill him!" ARE attacks....libelous, and dangerous, and inciting to riot and civil unrest along the lines of neo-nazi-ism......Does ANYONE at this particular media conglomerate know their history?kum-bay-yah,

KS, North Port, FL (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:43 PM)

Wow ... Nicole & Brian and the McCain camp don't get it !

Obama is talking to the leaders (Palin & McCain) and the speakers who are riling up the crowd to this frenzy and mass hysteria of yelling those terrible things.

It is the leader's responsibility to handle his or her crowd and to calm them down and explain how it can negate the issues. I don't see any of the leaders being responsible for the crowd or this country. In fact, McCain & Palin are down right irresponsible to not let it happen nor discourage such behavior. How will they govern our country ?

It's Pathetic !

Logic (Sent Friday, October 10, 2008 6:44 PM)

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