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October 10, 2008 1:44 PM

Kerry Condemns "Hate-Filled" Language At McCain-Palin Rallies

Posted by Brian Montopoli
The Obama campaign has thus far largely stayed away from reports about the increasingly angry rhetoric coming from some attendees of McCain-Palin rallies. (The candidate did make an indirect reference to the rallies this morning, saying, "it's not hard to rile up a crowd by stoking anger and division.") 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry, however, directly addresses the issue in a fundraising appeal today.

"The reports are piling up of ugliness at the campaign rallies of John McCain and Sarah Palin," Kerry writes. "Audience members hurl insults and racial epithets, call out 'Kill Him!' and 'Off With His Head,' and yell 'treason' when Senator Obama's name is mentioned. I strongly condemn language like this which can only be described as hate-filled."

Kerry also put the comments on his "anti-"smear" site. And he added in the fundraising appeal: "According to reports, every ad paid for by the John McCain campaign is now a negative ad - every single one! McCain allows his running mate to make outrageous charges that only a few years ago would have disqualified someone from serious consideration for national office."

The Obama campaign is in a somewhat difficult position when it comes to handling reports of offensive behavior at McCain-Palin events. On the one hand, it's in Obama's best interest to spotlight extreme rhetoric that surfaces at GOP rallies. On the other, the Obama campaign has accused the McCain camp of trying to distract the American people instead of addressing real issues. And that's a tough case to make if they start talking about these sorts of ugly sideshows.
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by joereed007 October 10, 2008 2:00 PM PDT
What does that say about the type of leaders McCain and Palin will be? This is very sad folks, it''s like we are back in the 60''s.
Reply to this comment
by saj210 October 10, 2008 2:01 PM PDT
MCCAIN/PALIN ARE HATEMONGERS!!!

NOT GOOD FOR AMERICA!
Reply to this comment
by joereed007 October 10, 2008 2:02 PM PDT
I remember at one Obama rally someone said something about McCain''s age...out of respect Obama said, "no, that is not right". McCain and Palin? Nothing.
Reply to this comment
by heuristic1 October 10, 2008 2:02 PM PDT
Let''s face it. McCain and Palin are BAD Americans.
Reply to this comment
by c_lozano October 10, 2008 2:12 PM PDT
While I don''t condone hate speech or any type of racial slurs, I do think it''s important to acknowledge that many Americans are angry about the lack of real information and proper research into Senator Obama. Some of the anger we''re seeing may be a byproduct of the media''s refusal to properly do its job! So, it''s up to McCain and Palin to ask the REAL questions that are NOT being asked by the main stream media and press. I salute them for challenging the public to think and question!
Reply to this comment
by p1tey1 October 10, 2008 2:12 PM PDT
I am very disappointed to see the McCain campaign sink to such low depths. They''re campaign stops are starting to look and sound like what probably goes on at Klan rallies. The thought of a McCain/Palin Whitehouse is scary. They will set this country back 50 years!!!!
Reply to this comment
by c_lozano October 10, 2008 2:13 PM PDT
While I don''t condone hate speech or any type of racial slurs, I do think it''s important to acknowledge that many Americans are angry about the lack of real information and proper research into Senator Obama. Some of the anger we''re seeing may be a byproduct of the media''s refusal to properly do its job! So, it''s up to McCain and Palin to ask the REAL questions that are NOT being asked by the main stream media and press. I salute them for challenging the public to think and question!
Reply to this comment
by c_lozano October 10, 2008 2:14 PM PDT
While I don''t condone hate speech or any type of racial slurs, I do think it''s important to acknowledge that many Americans are angry about the lack of real information and proper research into Senator Obama. Some of the anger we''re seeing may be a byproduct of the media''s refusal to properly do its job! So, it''s up to McCain and Palin to ask the REAL questions that are NOT being asked by the main stream media and press. I salute them for challenging the public to think and question!
Reply to this comment
by p1tey1 October 10, 2008 2:17 PM PDT
Believe me, if there was ANYTHING left to be found out about Obama, they would have found it by now!!! There is NOTHING, and the McCain/Palin folks are trying to change the focus from what is really important......the ECONOMY!!!! I have a friend who went into her office this morning to lay off all of her 30 employees and shut down her business!!! STOP with the gimmicks McCain. People are fed up, and we won''t be fooled again by the Republicans!!! Stick the the issues....its the ECONOMY stupid!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by ajitraj October 10, 2008 2:23 PM PDT
Obama''s senior advisor once said that he didn''t know Ayers''s past when he met Ayers.

Now Obama has another story -- ''he thought Ayers has re..."

Now, Ayers was not just a guy who happened to live in the same neighbourhood, and suddenly I ended up in his living room when I wanted to getting things started.

What a liar for president...

Reply to this comment
by luvcomments October 10, 2008 2:28 PM PDT
If anyone wasn''t convinced before (as I wasn''t) McCain and his wife have left us with no doubt whatsoever as to the depths of sleaze and lying they will sink to just to try to further his campaign, even though they''ve made it abundantly clear they have absolutely nothing to offer the American people except old, useless rhetoric. Birds of a feather flock together so that must be why he selected another unethical, vicious, self-serving person - Palin. I''ve been reading up on McCain including other Vietnam vets'' and Navy reports. He ain''t what he says he was. Never was. And most certainly isn''t now. The man has no character, only lies, smears and deception.
Reply to this comment
by mjthere October 10, 2008 2:34 PM PDT
Ayers is funded bY REPBLICAN WALTER ANNENBERG friend of Reagan and papa Bush. Why are Republicans funding Ayers? Why did Republicans (bay Bush and McCain) not send Ayers to Guantanamo bay?
Reply to this comment
by mjthere October 10, 2008 2:35 PM PDT
Ayers is funded by REPBLICAN WALTER ANNENBERG friend of REAGAN and PAPA BUSH. Why are Republicans funding Ayers? Why did Republicans (BABY BUSH and MCCAIN) not send Ayers to Guantanamo bay?
Reply to this comment
by mjthere October 10, 2008 2:37 PM PDT
rudy654 *** idiot is that you or Reagan Or Papa bUsh or Baby Bush or McCain. I think its Palin.
Reply to this comment
by duffyn October 10, 2008 2:40 PM PDT
Oh yeah, the repugnants are showing their true colors. But they always have. I gotta say Americans have wised up, but what a frustrating 7 years it''s been watching the dismantling of America, redistribution of wealth and health care to a "special few". Paling and Mcsame have found that just acting superior, arrogant, and smirky are not working any more. Finally exposed for being "suck ups to the rich", they have nothing to offer except being sore losers. Their party has done some good things in the past (not the last 8 years) and now will undergo a much needed complete makeover.
Reply to this comment
by sirvincent1 October 10, 2008 2:41 PM PDT
Hey Bryon, there''s some entertainer rountinely saying that if Gov.Palin goes to NYC she gets "gang raped"- and of course, old Maddoona saying something about "kicking her a**"---what should the Dems do about that?

Thanks for the forum

Vin@www.wegotsarah.com
Reply to this comment
by ohiolad October 10, 2008 2:45 PM PDT
I agree completely with the first poster. Nobody should condone hate speech, but much of the frustration on the right reflects this transparent attempt by the liberal media to do everything in their power to throw the election. When a few people at a McCain/Palin campaign rally disparage Sen. Obama, the MSM leap at the chance to paint the entire Republican party as a bunch of hate-mongers. At the same time, they seemed perfectly fine with people saying the most outrageous things about Bush for the last eight years or McCain/Palin these last few months.
Reply to this comment
by tgs4democrac October 10, 2008 2:45 PM PDT
hey Maj,
you need to stop imbibing those stupidity pills you are taking from the RNC Sarah Palin is a terrorist who had membership in the AIM, an admitted terrorist organization. Her "church", an extremist right-wing fundamentalist hate group espoused violence and bombing against Jews and Israel. Now her and McCAIN''T are espousing racial hatred and violence at their rallies. OBAMA is the only leader who can bring this country back to prosperity and liberty after you right-wing UN-AMERICAN and UN-PATRIOTIC creeps have run it into the ground.
REPUBLICAN=PIG....Predjudice, Ignorance and Greed. And that''s with or without lipstick, buddy....
Reply to this comment
by miles1967-2009 October 10, 2008 2:47 PM PDT
Check out the REAL McCain at the below link:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain
Reply to this comment
by charisma9949 October 10, 2008 2:51 PM PDT
When I hear these really awful things coming out of the McCain/Palin rallies it does indeed make me ashamed of being an American. It''s frightening to think this kind of behavior says that we actually are no better than the radical religious zealots who come out of the middle east. It is outrageous and disgusting that McCain and Palin allow this s... to occur. Some president he''d make, huh?
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 October 10, 2008 2:51 PM PDT
"democrats fall for all of his entitlement progams he''''s gonna give you - guess what - the country''''s broke..."
Posted by MajTHJ


Entitlement programs you say?

Haliburton
KBR
BlackWater
Bechtel
General Dyanmics
Nortrop Grumman
Lockheed
AIG
Lehman Brothers
Bear Sterns

The US is going broke and it%u2019s been the fault of Conservative Agenda.


Reply to this comment
by leighg1 October 10, 2008 2:52 PM PDT
Don''t just sit there DO something about it! Let them know how you feel about this

John McCain''s headquarters
703-418-2008 hit 4 (McCain''s press office)

The Republican National Committee
comment line: 202-863-8790
info@gop.com

Republican Chairman Mike Duncan
202-863-8700
chairman@gop.com

Republican Co-Chair JoAnn Davidson
202-863-8545

And make sure to call the media as well . . .
Fox News
Comment: 1-888-369-4762
Foxnews.com, scroll down to Contact Us

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/

CBSNEWS.com
(scroll down to bottom click on CONTACT US)

ABCnews.com
(scroll down to bottom click on feedbacks)

We have power. Let them know how you feel.
Reply to this comment
by dzemog1 October 10, 2008 2:58 PM PDT
I agree completely with the first poster. Nobody should condone hate speech, but much of the frustration on the right reflects this transparent attempt by the liberal media to do everything in their power to throw the election. When a few people at a McCain/Palin campaign rally disparage Sen. Obama, the MSM leap at the chance to paint the entire Republican party as a bunch of hate-mongers. At the same time, they seemed perfectly fine with people saying the most outrageous things about Bush for the last eight years or McCain/Palin these last few months.

Posted by Ohiolad at 02:45 PM
-------------------------------

I don''t think anyone is saying that all Republicans are doing this and I don''t think most people have a problem with "normal" negative campaigning. Sad to say but we''ve all become accustomed to some level of this on both sides. What''s different this time is that it''s crossed a line and gone into territory that most people think is really dangerous. Regardless of your party or what candidate you support, I don''t think it''s okay to purposefully incite people to make the kind of hate-filled and racially-charged comments they''re making. Of course it''s not all Republicans. The point is that it shouldn''t be any of them, ESPECIALLY the two that are on the actual ticket. McCain should absolutely know better. This isn''t country first. Nobody who truly loves his country purposely eggs people on in a way that borders on violent.
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by oldguy4truth October 10, 2008 2:58 PM PDT
Is it just me , or has anyone else noticed Palin is starting to evolve into a parrot. I mean really.. she looks and sounds like a mindless parrot "full of sound and fuerry, signifing nothing"
Reply to this comment
by ws6166 October 10, 2008 2:59 PM PDT
McCrabby and Caribou Barbi are going to get down and dirty when they start loosing. If Obama had dirt worse then anything they have found it would be center stage. And what I have seen it a joke at best. Obama will get my vote because he talks about this issues that are important to me and my family. McCrabby wont get my vote because he''s too busy telling everyone that Obama is a terroist. Sounds a lot like George W and Iraq''s WMD. And how did that turn out? I don''t take anything he says seriously now either.
Reply to this comment
by leighg1 October 10, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
Please stop McCain/Palin''s hatred camp. Go to all news media websites and scroll down to click "contact us" or "feedbacks". Let them know how you feel. Or simply say "Help stopping the McCain/Palin''s hatred camp!" Let''s all do our part before it''s too late!

McCain/Palin know exactly what they are doing. They don''t care about this country. What a shame! They don''t want to camp on issues, debate solutions, but to destroy what we left after Bush''s eight years of "legacy".
Reply to this comment
by mswolfestock October 10, 2008 3:01 PM PDT
Republicans have ALWAYS been great at hate-mongering.
Reply to this comment
by cdfoxtrot4 October 10, 2008 3:02 PM PDT
"much of the frustration on the right reflects this transparent attempt by the liberal media to do everything in their power to throw the election."
Ohiolad

There is this great myth of a "liberal" media in the US. Is this the same "liberal" media that acted as cheer leader for Bush''s "War on Terror" and his illegal war? They NEVER challenged his motives or the basis for the illegal war, they should him day after day standing in front of police, army, etc. making the case for war. There is no liberal media in the US. It''s a term used to try to quieten any serious questioning of the extreme right-wing in this country.
Reply to this comment
by kristinu October 10, 2008 3:02 PM PDT
Why isn''t anyone talking about the association McCain has with G. Gordon Liddy, the convicted Watergate burglar whose colorful history includes telling listeners to his radio show in 1994 to shoot federal agents in the head. When McCain went on Liddy''s radio show in November 2007, he told Liddy, "I''m proud of you, I''m proud of your family... It''s always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."

McCain/Palin are running a relentless campaign filled with despicable smears against Obama/Biden. I hope that the truth about McCain and Palin''s past associations get more media attention in the coming weeks.
Reply to this comment
by cdfoxtrot4 October 10, 2008 3:03 PM PDT
Listen up folks: We typical white people are tired of laying down and taking it - do you understand or are you that dense??




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

Posted by MajTHJ

I''ll be sure NOT to knock on your door in the middle of the night, by accident.
Reply to this comment
by ws6166 October 10, 2008 3:07 PM PDT
The media isn''t telling McCrabby and Caribo Barbi to say the things they have about Obama and fostering hatred. McCrabby is doing this all on his own and it''s being said to people and he knows the media is listening. Don''t waste your time pointing at the media, last time I looked they were not advisors to his campaign.
Reply to this comment
by oldguy4truth October 10, 2008 3:15 PM PDT
"liberal" media .. When even FOX , admits McCain is in deep dodo, you can not seriuosly blaim everyone. Keep listining to RUSH. He will keep you informed.
Reply to this comment
by October 10, 2008 3:15 PM PDT
The Republicans this year have increased their hate rehotoric and ignored the fallout.

It''s digusting and uncalled for.

The fact is as much as we''d like to think we''ve advanced this year it shows we''ve not come nearly as far as we pretend.

For Palin to have someone in the crowd yell out "kill him" and not to respond to it in any way is a disgrace and an acknowledgement that she agrees.

It cuts not just from the Republican side but includes racist Democrats also. In a resturant in our town they put up a vote for Obama sign, people from both parties stopped coming in. The comment heard, I don''t want a N***er in office.

Well at least they are honest in there bigotry in stead of trying to make news of associations already disproved.

As Americans we should be ashamed, it also proves to the rest of the world that our high sounding words, don''t mean much.

There will always be racists and bigots, so be it. Ignorance breeds this.

For Palin to feed the ignorance, shows she is the ignorant leader at these rallies. McCain by not reigning her in is just as guilty.
Reply to this comment
by dsp0117 October 10, 2008 3:15 PM PDT
Gotta admit, it''s fun to watch the "We distort. You decide." viewers go ballistic. Payback''s a ***, isn''t it? McCharacter? Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I4eJDbuZlI
Reply to this comment
by jayceer1 October 10, 2008 3:16 PM PDT
Wow! A Republican crowd angry? Were they hurling epithets, calling the other party nasty names, cursing, spitting on troops...oh, wait, that''s the Democrats. What could make a Republican crowd angry? LOOK IN A MIRROR. Maybe, just maybe, the liberal media that has been doing their best to get Obama elected at any cost has gone too far! At least, that''s what''s making me, a heretofore moderate, angry. If you (liberal) media, had done your job, it might have been a fair contest.
Reply to this comment
by dsp0117 October 10, 2008 3:17 PM PDT
Gotta admit, it''s fun to watch the "We distort. You decide." viewers go ballistic. Payback''s a ***, isn''t it? McCharacter? Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I4eJDbuZlI
Reply to this comment
by oldguy4truth October 10, 2008 3:19 PM PDT
Why isn''''''''t anyone talking about the association McCain has with G. Gordon Liddy,

Because Big "G" is a hero to the sick and aflicted, and the weak of mind.
Reply to this comment
by dburfears October 10, 2008 3:20 PM PDT
Make a NOTE of this:

If Obama wins, the practice of this kind of dangerous political hysteria will lead to another Lee Harvey Oswald. The anger being planted by these Far Right Wing extremists will boil and fester until it explodes. I fear that it may even extend beyond a single act, and may create an anti-government underground movement of domestic Right Wing terrorists aimed at bringing down any non-Right Wing government. Out of anger, many in the less radical right will give silent assent to such a movement.

I hope I''m wrong. However, I see a growing radicalization of politics in this country.
Reply to this comment
by charisma9949 October 10, 2008 3:21 PM PDT
majthj - No, I''ve been right here. Isn''t it interesting how people can hear the same words and experience them differently? I heard Rev. Wright speak with anger that stemmed from his experience as a black man living in this country, growing up in the 30''s and 40''s and 50''s and 60''s. Tough years for blacks, yes? And that''s an understatement. We white folks can''t possibly understand how it was because we didn''t live it. Have some empathy. These people spewing hate and murder at the McCain/Palin rallies are no better than the terrorists we profess to want to get rid of.
Reply to this comment
by oldguy4truth October 10, 2008 3:25 PM PDT
Look, McCain went through the Republican Primary process, and thet was the candidate. He chose, at best, a "controversial" running mate, chose his own path on his campaign, tactics etc. Why do you blame the press for his lunacy?
Reply to this comment
by oldguy4truth October 10, 2008 3:27 PM PDT
MY best friend is black and her and her family was disgusted by
Rev. Wright and Rev. Jesse Jackson
The anger and disgust isn''''t just coming from typical white people -
but when we white people take up for ourselves we''''re racist - it''''s the class of people not the race that makes a difference...


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

Posted by MajTHJ at 03:25 PM : Oct 10, 2008
Spoaken like a true biggot.

Reply to this comment
by reuelt October 10, 2008 3:28 PM PDT
Gov Palin did not ever incite hatred. She was just questioning Obama''s honesty and judgment.

Kerry & slanted media are wrong to publish such nonsense.

If Obama cannot keep the constitution of free speech and guns possession and religion, how dare he stand for election?

Doesn''t he know the President''s oath that he cannot/will not keep?
Reply to this comment
by oldguy4truth October 10, 2008 3:32 PM PDT
Gov Palin did not ever incite hatred. She was just questioning Obama''''s honesty and judgment.

Kerry & slanted media are wrong to publish such nonsense.

I think the point is that she said (nothing) to discourage such talk, therefore, it is the reactions she seeks .
Reply to this comment
by sommertime6 October 10, 2008 3:36 PM PDT
That''s hilarious that Kerry has an anti-smear website . . . after all the slander, hatred and lies that democrats and the media around the country have put Palin through!!?? and now they can''t handle the same kind of heat for the own candidate!? Give me a break.
Reply to this comment
by word61 October 10, 2008 3:48 PM PDT
McCain is helpless and I feel embarrassed to see him in this state.

Reply to this comment
by jone775 October 10, 2008 3:51 PM PDT
McSame followers have turned into the very cult they accused Obama''s followers of belonging to. His campaign has become racially bigoted, fascist and dishonorable. He makes this veteran ashamed...
Reply to this comment
by ohiolad October 10, 2008 3:59 PM PDT
Maybe we should try to get beyond this liberal - good, conservative -bad mindset that seems to dominate this website, It''s puerile (look it up rudy654).
Reply to this comment
by obgyn33 October 10, 2008 4:00 PM PDT
McCain and Palin are anti-semetic, racist, war mongers.

Freedom of speech does not grant you the right to be an agitator,

According to the Patriot Act, the people who yelled out "kill him"
are now considered terrorist.
So McCain and Palin are palling around with terrorist.

My love and heart is with Israel, but my vote is with Senator Obama, because as a strong republican I stand more for what is right and what is good for this great country.
John McCain, want to win so bad that he is putting himself first, not contry.
To run a campaign of hate, fear, and lies instead of campaigning on
his record, or fact, or issues, I see McCain as dangerous for this country. He is a war monger and military families have lost too much under the pretext of making the country safe when we are really
making Bush/Cheney cronies rich.

Decent Americans and my fellow Jewish voters have to stand up and
tell the newspapers, networks, and cable news, John McCain and Sarah Palin, we will not let you divide our country with you speech of HATE and FEAR. If that type of hate speech would have been stopped as soon as it started years ago, maybe we would not have lost millions of Jewish people, maybe my family would be bigger.
Negative speeches, attack ads, are all a part of politics HATE speech is not, and when it crosses the line to the point of people yelling out to "kill him" that is clearly hate.
Media should not cover McCain/Palin hate speech.
Reply to this comment
by jone775 October 10, 2008 4:01 PM PDT
MajTHJ: you wrote, "...guess just being an american like the rest of us isn''''t good enough."

I hope by that comment you''re meaning to include Canadians, Central, and South Americans...
Reply to this comment
by blindhowlin October 10, 2008 4:06 PM PDT
Sarah Palin, Ms. Alaska Snark Queen 2008.

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