To be fair, I don't think anyone in this thread is saying that. If they were saying that, it would be pretty ignorant, but it seems like people on this board, for the most part, have been careful to sort out the nuts from the normal people when discussing McCain's supporters.

I can't blame the internet on all people, such as the two that took the mic in Minnesota. I blame pure ignorance and the fact that some people just don't want to believe their statements are wrong and defamatory. Even when McCain told Ms. Quinnell to her face that her statement was not true, she still didn't believe him.

Some people were born with the "dumb gene".

ETA: So what is wrong with Arabs anyway? I have many friends who are from Arabic nations and they are not terrorists. They come from all religions, as well.

Is it a dumb gene or a hate gene? That lady's not going to like Obama whether or not he's actually Arabic.

Muslims, particularly Arabic Muslims, have been so vilified by both parties (even though they say they're not), but specifically the Republican Party, that I'm not surprised that Obama is so feared by a part of the population. They're still living in 2001, or the 2004 Presidential election. It really makes me worried that if Obama is elected, these nutjobs may actually follow through with their promises.

Which sucks, because not all Republicans think he's a terrorist, and most Republicans have moved on from the massive fear-mongering campaigns by Bush/Cheney in the 2004 election.

Even after the rally, ol' Fanny Pack insists that he is a Muslim terrorist that will do "bad" things. She can't say what they are specifically, but they're "bad."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YLbwntBO_k

Here's one of a guy who brought a Curious George plush toy to a rally, calling it "Little Hussein."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUov...eature=related

Of course, both sides are equally culpable. A college classmate of mine was quoted on a fairly popular satire site calling Trig Palin a "retard." That was despicable and crass--just as bad, in my opinion, as calling Obama "Curious George."

Even after the rally, ol' Fanny Pack insists that he is a Muslim terrorist that will do "bad" things. She can't say what they are specifically, but they're "bad."


I love her response, "It's a long story"

Oh Johnstown, PA - what more needs to be said? I'm sure those of us on GC that are from or have lived in that area aren't very surprised by that guy.

Ugh I know. :( That rally made our state look pretty awful. Everyone seemed so angry and hateful.

Did anyone read Frank Rich's column yesterday? Somewhat relevant and the online version has a lot of links.

The McCain/Palin campaign is playing with fire. I hope they teach future politicians a lesson that this kind of tactic is just too dirty to work. I'd be so embarrassed to have my name tied to any of those exploits!

The fault isn't in what was said but the candidate's response to the words. If this was at an Obama event I expect that the candidate would say something. From the word "sort of" I'd need more information.

No one expects a candidate to be responsible for everything a supporter says.

Yeah, Ann Althouse has a kind of funny comment on that. McCain is obviously responding to the "terrorist" commenting hatefulness at previous rallies, but when you look at what she actually said in this instance, it's not really in need of the defense McCain gives.

It'd be a reach to accurately describe Obama as Arab even though there's some Arab influence in Kenya, but what the women actually said is not the sentiment that McCain is responding to.

Sandra Bernhard said some crap about Palin getting gang raped by her black brothers if Palin came to Manhattan, and Bernhard got dropped from a violence against women benefit as a result.

I don't expect Obama to say anything nor do I consider it a reflection on him really, but I'm not sure that Leslie Ann's "well at least she's not getting death threats because if it" is actually accurate. Palin's getting rape threats (there's another really weird Margaret Cho comment out there; what's up with Palin affecting bisexuals so much?), and I wouldn't be surprised by death threats. People out there are nuts.

Honestly, when McCain grabbed the mic from the woman, I got the feeling he was trying to prevent the election rally from turning into a KKK Gathering. You could see he was aghast and embarrassed at what was said. Whatever he was responding to (Ms. Quinnell, the man who spoke before her, or the terrorist chants), he didn't want to be part of it.

What I find more amazing are the clips on You Tube of Ms. Quinnell after the rally. She sounds a little more like "aliens will abduct me if Obama is elected" than "I have facts that he is an Arab". How much you want to bet, the McCain campaign has found a way to prevent her from additional damage.

I agree. There's just a little unexpected comedy in defending people against the accusation of being Arab.

I have to say though, I don't think that McCain or Palin have really said anything themselves to incite this particular reaction.

Linking Obama to Ayers who everyone pretty much has to admit did, at least at one point, advocate domestic terrorism isn't the same as suggesting that Obama is some kind of Muslim Jihadist, which is what the nuts are latched onto.

I think the point in linking him to Ayers it to show how far left he is. Ayers is not a centrist kind of guy. But the nuts are taking it in a different direction when they hear terrorist.

I really don't think the Ayers stuff was supposed to be a code for this craziness. And I don't fault McCain or Palin for the ignorance of some of the people at their rallies.

I am curious to know which party ethnic minorities other than African-American and Hispanics are pulling for. I know the news always focuses on the largest two minorities...so I am just wondering. I did notice a few Asians at the Republican convention.

In regards to the "promises" many of his opponents are making, I think this election has set us back at least 50 years in regards to race relations.

What do you mean?