GOP Anger Unleashed At McCain Rallies

Washington Post: Campaign Is At The Center Of An Outpouring Of Raw Emotion Rare In A Presidential Race

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Michael D. Shear and Perry Bacon Jr..

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There were shouts of "Nobama" and "Socialist" at the mention of the Democratic presidential nominee. There were boos, middle fingers turned up and thumbs turned down as a media caravan moved through the crowd Thursday for a midday town hall gathering featuring John McCain and Sarah Palin.

"It is absolutely vital that you take it to Obama, that you hit him where it hits, there's a soft spot," said James T. Harris, a local radio talk show host, who urged the Republican nominee to use Barack Obama's controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., and others against him.

"We have the good Reverend Wright. We have [the Rev. Michael L.] Pfleger. We have all of these shady characters that have surrounded him," Harris bellowed. "We have corruption here in Wisconsin and voting across the nation. I am begging you, sir. I am begging you. Take it to him."

The crowd of thousands roared its approval.

In recent days, a campaign that embraced the mantra of "Country First" but is flagging in the polls and scrambling for a way to close the gap as the nation's economy slides into shambles has found itself at the center of an outpouring of raw emotion rare in a presidential race.

"There's 26 days and people are looking at the very serious possibility that there's a chance that Obama might get in, and they don't like that," said Ian Eltrich, 28, as he filed out of the crowded sports complex.



"I'm mad! I'm really mad!" another man said, taking the microphone and refusing to surrender it easily, even when McCain tried to agree with him.

"I'm not done. Lemme finish, please," he said after a standing ovation. "When you have Obama, [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and the rest of the hooligans up there going to run the country, we have to have our head examined.

"It's time that you two represent the rest of us. So go get 'em."

The crowd burst into loud chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!"

Standing at the center of the crowd, McCain and Palin drew on the crowd's energy as they repeatedly trained their fire on Obama.

"Senator Obama has a clear radical, far-left, pro-abortion record," McCain said after being asked about the issue.

The answer prompted a shower of boos from the crowd members. They booed again when he mentioned William Ayers, who bombed U.S. facilities to protest the Vietnam War as part of the domestic terrorist group the Weather Underground. They booed again at the mention of Rep. Barney Frank, a liberal from Massachusetts.

McCain spends most of his time at his rallies and town hall meetings lambasting his rival, often calling him a "co-conspirator" with congressional Democrats in what he argues are the seeds of the financial crisis at mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

"Will you assure us," one woman asked, "that, as president, you will take immediate action to investigate, prosecute and name the names of the people actually responsible?"

"I will," McCain answered.

"The same people that are now claiming credit for this rescue are the sme ones that were willing co-conspirators in causing this problem that it is," he said, raising his voice to be heard over the crowd. "You know their names. You will know more of their names."

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

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The crowds that show up for his rallies these days appear to have little appetite for the talk of bipartisan compromise that had been at the heart of his message around the Republican National Convention. During a rally outside a small airport in Mosinee, Wis., on Thursday, McCain said that "it's time we come together, Democrats and Republicans to work together. That's my record. I'll reach across the aisle."

The crowd stood silent.

At the town hall gathering here, McCain praised Harris for his "courage" in speaking his mind. But, heedful of the economic chaos gripping the country, McCain sought to steer away, at least briefly, from attacks on Obama's character and integrity.

"Yes, I'll do that," he said of the request to "take it to" Obama. "But I also, my friends, want to address the greatest financial challenge of our lifetime with a positive plan for action that Senator Obama and I have. We need to restore hope and trust and confidence in America and have Americans know that our best days are ahead of us. That's the future and strength and beauty of America."

As the crowd filed out, several said they agreed with the man who said he was mad. Others went further.

"No, I'm not mad, I'm pissed," said Joan Schmitz, who owns a plumbing company here. She said she was frustrated with polls showing Obama surging, McCain's performance in a Tuesday night debate, Obama himself, the media, and the liberal group ACORN, which she said was registering voters fraudulently.

Noting Obama's connections with Ayers, she said that "if it was a Republican, it would be nonstop," referring to what she said was the media ignoring the controversial acquaintance.

"I can't stand to look at him, I don't trust him. I don't like the circle of friends he keeps, I don't like his policies," Schmitz said of Obama. "I'm pissed off by it. I'm beyond mad. How is he climbing up in the polls?"

On the way into the event, the Republican Party of Wisconsin handed out fliers reading "Your Vote Is Being Stolen," an anti-ACORN leaflet that concluded, "Why is vote fraud allowed? Vote fraud is allowed since it benefits Democrats."

The crowd showed equal disdain for the media, fueled by comments from Palin, who encouraged the Republican supporters to take the campaign's message around the media. "I can't pick a fight with those who buy ink by the barrel," she said. "It's dangerous territory whenever I suggest the mainstream media isn't asking all the questions."

That message was clearly shared among the crowd. Mike Payne, who traveled from Madison, Wis., for the rally, rejected the idea that McCain's supporters are angry, preferring to use the word "frustrated."

"It might have something to do with you guys," he told a reporter.

"It's not anger at all. It's frustration. There's millions of people around the country that think like we do. You guys refuse to acknowledge that, and you insult our intelligence by misreporting the information. You are treating [Obama] like he's Britney Spears and covering him like he's Paris Hilton, instead of the next president of the United States, potentially."

McCain advisers dismissed the crowd's angry tone as an exception and not representative of most of the campaign's events. And they noted that those gathered seemed most upset by the media's handling of the contest, and simply wanted McCain to be more aggressive.

They also noted that many of McCain's events ar attended by liberal protesters, who often yell epithets and hold angry signs as McCain's bus drives by. And they recalled angry words from Obama at a rally in Las Vegas last month, in which he urged supporters to talk to their friends and neighbors, saying "I want you to argue with them and get in their face."

[ggraham1977]

robert2237...
There is a huge difference between freedom of speech and inticing violence. People who call out "kill him", or "off with his head" are not practicing freedom of speech they are using fear to call out to some would be nut whom might do the unthinkable.
I do think it is very interesting how many mccain supporters are absolutely suprised that Barak Obama could actually become President. It shows just how out of touch with reality mccains supporters are with the world around them. It also shows how racist and fear driven his supporters are. Very sad. Again, I think they are the minority in this country and the election on Nov. 4th will surely show this to be fact. Mccain dosen''t have the BA!@S to confront Obama face to face about anything. He uses his supporters to say it for him! Compare the two campaigns. Democrats ( Hope, future, change, ideas, positiveness). Republicans ( Attack, fear, same old ideas, negativity). It has become so obvious the difference in the tone that I know where we will next year and invitingly so. !!!Get out and vote!!!

[ubu2008]

GOP offices are being vandalized around the country, but CBS doesn''t consider that news worthy. Obama lies go unchecked. 2008 Presidential election will go down in history of the election that the networks lost the confidence of the american people. Is it because they are all trying to be in the running for the united states official news channel when the transition to a socialist government is complete.

[craigh9]

Dear America,

Please join me in a 5 year effort. This November through November 2013 PLEASE VOTE AGAINST anyone that is currently seated in Congress, in State Legislatures, and even in local communities.
Our country is falling apart and "experience in government" only means they know how to line their pockets and do nothing except walk a fine enough line to get re-elected time after time.
THE ONLY WAY to get America back on track is to eliminate EVERY INCUMBANT SEATED TODAY.
NO EXCEPTIONS. Do not think that "YOUR" representative is different than anyone elses. THEY ALL MUST GO - EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
That is the ONLY way that our govenrment might get away from the "what''''s in it for me" attitude so prevelant today, back to "what''''s in the best interest of my country."
We need to do this NOW.

[veteranx-2009]

The hate emanating from these crowds is a direct reflection of McCain/Palin''s campaign message. "Country First?" No, political gamesmanship first. Avoid the issues. Distract the voters with outright lies and character assassination.

I got news. That dog - either the old mangy hound or the pit bull with lipstick, take your pick - don''t run.

[justsurfing-2009]

I believe irrespective of poll figures, the American people deserve to know the truth about Obama''s association with Bill Ayers and how many times he has lied about it. This is just one facet of the character of Obama that American needs to know. We deserve to know the reality of who the man is - not just an image created by Hollywood and Axelrod.

#1. When asked about Ayers, Obama stated he was just a guy in the neighborhood.

The facts are that Michelle Obama worked with Ayer''s wife at the same firm. Obama served on 2 committees with Ayers. Obama, as a committee member, voted to fund liberal left projects by Ayers. Additionally, the spoke together at a number of political events. The career of Obama was launched from the living room of Bill Ayers. More than that, Obama personally endorsed a book by Bill Ayers.

This is not "just a guy from the neighborhood" This is a person Obama knew well enough to take the time to read his book and personally endorse it. All of the activities together show that Obama was dishonest.

Bill Ayers bombed US buildings as a US terrorist. People lost their lives and others were personally attacked. Bill Ayers is aradical Marxist who sought to overthrow our government, organized riots etc. Ayers has aided and abetted Chavez in his overthrow of government to institution a Socialist Dictatorship over Venezuela. Ayers still advocates socialism overthrowing and replacing democratic freedom.

There is much more to this story.

[bks59]

i''ve come to realize that as a white male i am-have been, quite naive to the level, the amount of hatred a large number of white people have towards those that are ''other than white''. it is not about denying the existence of racism but to the rampant level that it exists in the 21st century. to think that a grown man would bring a monkey doll to mcain palin rally, that adults call for sen. obama''s head to cut off and similar vial threats, these are the things that should make all Americans embarrassed, even though it is a small number of people that act in such manner, but then too mccain palen camp ought to do more to shut down the vitriolic talk.

[todgul]

Palin, McCain supporters : check the facts !!!

Your hate propaganda will not work this time !!!!

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/he_lied_about_bill_ayers.html


http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/790/

Palin, McCain , not ready to lead, but ready to cheat on American people for four more years..

[redfromla]

Posted by ubu2008 at 11:41 AM : Oct 12, 2008

"THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY IS STRAIGT FROM THE AYERS PLAYBOOK. OBAMA NEEDS TO STOP ENCOURAGING THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR HE IS DEVISIVE. "
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So ubu2008, have you contacted the police about it? Because it seems you already have proof and evidence as to who did it.

[ubu2008]

Friday in York County the South Carolina was vandalized, but there is no outcry or even reporting on that issue. 15 McCain Palin signs have been knocked over and destroyed on my commerical warehouse building, but all of this is condoned and approved of by the liberals. I guess I do not have the freedom to display signs on my property and the GOP cannot expect that their property should not be vandalized.

THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY IS STRAIGT FROM THE AYERS PLAYBOOK. OBAMA NEEDS TO STOP ENCOURAGING THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR HE IS DEVISIVE.

[dave_p5]

"Dave_P5 - I would say the Ayers and Wright stuff must be working are I would not see the Obama supporters so much in arms and trying to state why it is not working. It is kinda like the McCain stuff being put out about him not being a hero and calling him singbird, I know it is not true so why get up in arms about it. Now if I was worried about it being true I might be trying to justify it. So lets hope McCain keeps it up cause it looks like it is working." - robert2237

Um, first of all, it''s not working because after a week of this Ayers/Wright garbage Obama''s poll numbers are going up, McCain''s numbers continue to fall. We''re up in arms because we know it''s BS and that negative campaigning can cause undecided voters to become afraid to vote for the candidate being smeared, so we want to set the record straight before that happens.

This Ayers and Wright stuff is so "effective" that yesterday McCain had to tell delirious loonies at his rally that Obama is a decent man and that they don''t have to be afraid if he becomes president.

Yep, working like a charm.

By the way, Palin is the one whose just proved she can''t be trusted. And don''t tell me that the "Troopergate" investigation is a Democratic conspiracy, it was conducted by Alaska''s Legislative Council which consists of the 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

[robert2237]

Yes from what I see Obama is a Socialism but I hoping he is not but all the signs are there.

[robert2237]

mairin27- You can accuse anybody of what you want but freedom of speach must remain. I may not like what is said but it is their freedom. Worries me a lot when I see so many Obama supporters who want to forget that freedom just because they are saying something they don''t like. Obama supporters has been doing this for 8 years and then screaming they can say what they want funny real funny. Freedom of speach must stand no matter who gets in. We can lose no freedoms, I and a lot of people are willing to die to protect that right. Even if what is being said is something we don''t like I am still willing to die to protect it. Obama''s group seems to be willing to throw it out the door so they don''t have to think about if they are right or wrong on a issue.

[robert2237]

pcexpress911- Remember freedom is always one generation away from extenistion. Is this the generation that gives it up?? good good question. It might be from what I am seeing.

[robert2237]

Dave_P5 - I would say the Ayers and Wright stuff must be working are I would not see the Obama supporters so much in arms and trying to state why it is not working. It is kinda like the McCain stuff being put out about him not being a hero and calling him singbird, I know it is not true so why get up in arms about it. Now if I was worried about it being true I might be trying to justify it. So lets hope McCain keeps it up cause it looks like it is working.

[robert2237]

ggraham1977- Its called freedom of speach. It really tells me a lot about the people supporting Obama when they think anyone who says something they don''t like shoud be put in jail. Is this what it is going to be like with Obama''s group. I disagree with some of the things that have been said at McCains functions, but your statement worries me much much much more. Obama needs to answer the question and he can put it to bed, but he won''t just like he has not answered the questions about Wright. So if he won''t fully answer then people think it is true.

[poetrychaos]

the boos that greeted McCain''s exhortations for
tolerance and respect offer a telling portent of what this United States might be like should he be elected. If John McCain lacks the power and moral authority to effectively lead his supporters,
how can he lead the country?

[ggraham1977]

First of all, I want to say that what i am hearing at John Mccains rallies this week is absolutely disgusting.
However I am not suprised to hear these things coming from the mouths of fear driven, war hungry, idiot bush followers. I cannot expect anything better from these people. I am however convinced that these hypocrites are becoming more and more a minority in the country and they know it. Probably one reason they are so afraid is because they are standing by themselves. Another point I would like to ad is that in my opinion, the same people who are calling Barack Obama a terrorist are the ones calling out terroristic threats. I don''t understand why the secret service that are working for Mccain did not pull those people out of the crowd, place them under arrest in front of all their friends and throw them in prison....possibly
guantanimo bay would be a good place for them...A dose of their own medicine. The problem is, with such low IQ''s they would not be able to comprehend what had happend. I have been a staunt supporter of Mr. Obama since the first time I heard him speak 3 years ago...I
know that he will be our next President. Go Barack

[harbinger09]

DOUCMENTS AND VIDEO PROVE PALIN IGNORES SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE!!!! Sarah Palin''''s own records and video show her at her Wasilla Assemblies of God church promising church members that she will do all she can to inject God into the government. What the congregation and other taxpayers did not know--is that the plane trip, hotel and expenses to Wasilla were paid for by the taxpayer as Palin charged the entire trip to government expenses.

Wow, stay tuned Sarah--you are in the big leagues now--and you can''''t hide behind moose dressing or a misunderstanding--no respect for the law, no respect for the Constitution...when this is over, you may wish YOU were Bill Ayers.

http://www.rr.com/view/content
/story.cfm?storyId=5984716&view=HOME&new
sgroup=9000&sSect=HOM_1

Posted by harbinger09 at 02:46 PM : Oct 11, 2008

[ioweign]

For John and his GOP handlers:

Hate crimes (also known as bias motivated crimes) occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership in a certain social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation.

Hate crime can take many forms. Incidents may involve physical assault, damage to property, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or offensive graffiti or letters.

[olydem58]

Wow the GOP has become a radical party willing to over throw our Government and ignore the voice of the people. In 2000 and in 2004 there was reason to think we got cheated but for the good of the country we let the elections stand. Much like Nixon did in his race with JFK. But you current Republicans scream kill him. THIS IS USA it is time to act like we are all from the same country. The tone of the McCain camp makes me sick