Story Created:
Oct 11, 2008
Story Updated:
Oct 11, 2008
Patrick Mcilheran advises: Don't go there.
Frustrated is OK. Unhinged isn't.
**
Stephen Hayes discusses the contradictions that James T. Harris's question -- and McCain's answer -- exposed in the campaign.
Moments later, though, McCain seemed to have a change of heart. James T. Harris, a black conservative who hosts a local radio show, told McCain that he had taken an "ass-whoopin' " for supporting the Republican over Obama and implored McCain to fight harder. "We have the good Reverend Wright. We have [the Reverend Michael] Pfleger. We have all of these shady characters that have surrounded him," Harris shouted. "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, which had been energized before McCain's arrival by a lengthy stemwinder from former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson, applauded wildly and stood ready to explode as McCain began to answer.
"Yes, I'll do that," McCain said quickly and dismissively. "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."
The crowd seemed confused. Are Obama's "shady characters" relevant or not? In the space of about ten minutes, John McCain seemed to be saying "yes" and "no."
Such contradictions have become a defining characteristic of the McCain campaign over the last month as his strategists try to find something--anything--that will stop his slide in the polls. He suspended his campaign and threatened to skip the first presidential debate unless there was agreement on a bailout plan. There was no agreement, and he debated anyway. He said big government caused the current financial mess and then called for more of it. He called for a federal spending freeze and then proposed having the Treasury buy individual home mortgages at a potential cost of $300 billion.
Wednesday, Oct 15 at 9:03 PM To Roger wrote ...
my wife's employer will be fine if McCain wins - they fire an employee (1 of 5) if Obama wins - what don't you get?
Wednesday, Oct 15 at 9:27 AM Roger wrote ...
That is right Not that One. Because companies have been doing so well the last few years under Shrub Jr. His policies of tax breaks for the wealthy, no-bid contracts, let businesses pollute as much as they want and do whatever they want, have not led to any firings, plant closings or unemployment whatsoever. I already lost a job a couple years ago, so therefore under your logic it was Shrub's fault. Same thing for all the others losing their jobs lately. Facts do not support your talking points
Tuesday, Oct 14 at 10:11 PM Not That One wrote ...
if it's about jobs, Obama is going to kill this economy and employment with his taxes on corporations and small businesses (my wife works for a company of 5 employees, and if taxes on them go up, they will cut one of the 5)
Monday, Oct 13 at 7:30 PM That One wrote ...
Notice how the right has detracted from the original post. I can't believe I forgot McCain's association with the domestic terrorist G.Gordon Liddy. You know, the guy who broke into Watergate, kidnapped a psychologist, planned to bomb Democratic headquarters, kidnap Vietnam protestors, and kidnap Dems forcing them to take damaging pictures with prostitutes. You go down that guilt by association road, McCain and try to "whip Obama's you know what" with those associations. Jobs, baby, jobs
Monday, Oct 13 at 6:38 AM Chuckles the Clown wrote ...
The truth is that the wingnuts point to the moonbats as proof that all people on the left are nuts and the moonbats point to the wingnuts to prove that all people on the right are nuts. Mr. Sykes harps about how people on the left whine, and he is himself a first class whiner. Just listen closely and you will hear him serve it up with the same vapidity as those he criticizes.
Monday, Oct 13 at 6:00 AM karen wrote ...
Mike is Scary OK. Sorry. I am sure that you have never bashed Bush or Palin. My point is that many liberals call conservatives hateful when they themselves are full of hate. My post says nothing to justify your saying that I am "off the hinge". The points that I made are facts. You say that I am off the hinge because I don't agree with you. Don't accuse people of things when they aren't true.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:29 PM sage wrote ...
yes, extremism isn't justified most of the time - in this current situation, I'd say there are way more Loons on the Left than on the Right- risking this country on someone so unknown (at least to main-stream voters due to MSM), and on someone who tried (as a Candidate!) to influence Irag to set up some kind of timetable for troop withdrawal is idiocy. The LOONS are mostly on the Left, people.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 6:58 PM Mike is scary, and Karen too wrote ...
Karen, what the h#$# are you talking about? Did either Steve or I ever mention Bush or Palin? No! We are pointing out how off the hinge and scary people like Whitefish Bay Mike, and now yourself, are. I could list plenty of qualities for Obama. But all I ever hear from McCain supporters are wild stories, screaming and crying about Obama. That or racist, xenophobic talking points from Rush, Charles, etc. Karen, please do not put words in people's mouths.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 6:46 PM Jim wrote ...
I am not looking forward to an Obama presidency because I am adversive to pain. Higher taxation on those actually creating wealth will stifle a shaky economy. Factor in higher energy costs, and this is going to be tough sledding. (EVERYONE'S taxes are going to go up, BTW, since the only Dem that favored low taxes has been dead for 45 years). This will like the second Carter administration, without the comic relief.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 5:49 PM ijeff wrote ...
Tax the rich, middle class tax cut for everyone else, bla bla bla. We've heard it all before. It doesn't work. If people would just study a little history they'd know it doesn't. Alas many people have failed to acknowledge the brilliant success of Reaganomics which means we are doomed to repeat the same damn mistakes all over again. We now have the Obama candidacy for empty headed intellectuals. I hope Whitefish Bay Mike enjoys it. I won't nor will any other hard working American.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 5:31 PM karen wrote ...
Hmmm...liberals such as Steve and Mike is Scary delight in pointing out how hateful conservatives are. Look in the mirror guys - your hate for Bush is pathologic and runs much deeper than anything that I have seen expressed towards Obama. The behavior of liberals and the MSM towards Sarah Palin and her family is far from "tolerant" and accepting. Anyone who disagrees with you is hateful or a racist.And Mike is Scary...you are getting older by the minute yourself.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 12:04 PM Mike is Scary wrote ...
Whitefish Bay Mike, that is one of the least surprising posts of all time. I hope you are preparing yourself for that Obama presidency. It is really sad how much of a sad, little hateful person you are. However, we can all take comfort in the fact that you, Mary and the other racist, xenophobic, hate-filled "conservatives" are few in number, and getting older by the minute. Your days are numbered, and you are a small, unfortunately vocal minority.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 11:28 AM Steve wrote ...
I'm glad Whitefish Mike has finally admitted his terrifying pathology. The only thing that frightens me about an Obama presidency is that it might cause the Whitefish Mikes of the world to become fully unglued. Seeing you guys grow increasingly desperate as McCain slips in the polls makes me shiver at the thought of how hateful our local airwaves will become if he gets elected. Then again, doing the right thing takes courage, so I guess we'll have to tolerate you psychos.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:04 AM Whitefish Bay Mike wrote ...
I will heed Patrick Mcilheran's advice but I must say the hate I have for Obama is scary. I usually don't hate anyone but there is something evil about Obama that makes my hate for him burn 24-7. In 1992 I disagreed with everything Bill Clinton was presenting, but I did not hate him. Maybe what drives my hate are the socialistic attitudes that Obama embodies. I don't like feeling this way, please vote for McCain / Palin.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 8:04 AM Jean Hughes wrote ...
Sen McCain may be learning that personal attacks aren't working and the American public want serious leadership and actions in serious times.
Sunday, Oct 12 at 1:56 AM Frannie wrote ...
Thank you, Patrick. And thank you, Stephen. Very good articles. I look forward to the day we can we finally reach a point in our history where we can have a discussion of issues and qualifications, without resorting to base tactics of division, fear, and intolerance. Intelligence is not a dirty word. Charlie, Patrick, James, and Stephen would agree. Words matter. Words influence. The world is watching closer than ever before. Attacks are scrutinized. Was McCain prepared? I guess not.
Saturday, Oct 11 at 1:52 PM That One wrote ...
Thanks for raising an important issue Charlie. This is precisely why Obama has rightfully deemed McCain "erratic" (as opposed to ageism). My mother used to tell me that if you play in the dirt with dirty kids, you'll get dirty. Well, McCAin has his own guilt by associations: Charles Keating, John Singlaub, Pastors John Hagee, Jerry Falwell, and Rod Parsley. John Kerry may have stood back and got swift boated, but Barack Obama will not. Go ahead, take the gloves off and get punched back
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