by Megan Steele

Created on: October 23, 2008

While I don't believe that Senator McCain is actively provoking racism at his political rallies, I do believe he has introduced, nurtured and actively promoted unfounded hatred and fear toward Senator Obama. Not having attended an actual rally of John McCain's, I don't know exactly what goes on. I have seen and heard the clips on the news about his supporters shouting "terrorist" and "kill him" in reference to Senator Obama.

Senator McCain seemed confused as to why he was questioned about the anger and threats spewed forth at his rallies. Granted, not all of his supporters are such vocal hate mongers, but let's take a look at the Republican machinations over the past few months to get a better grip on why some McCain supporters deem such hostile remarks to be appropriate at a political rally.

1. Reverend Jeremiah Wright - remarks taken completely out of context from a speech which, in its entirety was completely inoffensive and actually very moving, made the reverend sound like a terrorist. Senator Obama denounced the remarks and distanced himself from Rev. Wright, the man who brought him into the church and his faith, not to mention performed his marriage ceremony. Reverend Wright received death threats, the entire speech was aired only on PBS (that I saw), all of his good work has been ignored or glossed over, and he hasn't received an apology from the Republican Party or the conservatives who perpetuated this misrepresentation of the truth.

2. Everyone has seen the email about Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Hmm. Hussein. Automatically, one thinks of Saddam Hussein, dictator, possibly insane, highly hostile to America. It's a middle name, given to Senator Obama when he was a baby. Nothing to do with terrorism. Yet, once again, spread by Conservative Republicans. I'm sure most of us have heard Sean Hannity's "Barack Hussein Obama" clips multiple times, along with tiny snippets of a certain sermon by the Reverend Wright.

3. The constant referrals to Bill Ayers. Another terrorist, albeit one who had a small connection to Senator Obama, Republicans can't seem to get over the fact that most of the rest of us find Sarah Palin's "palling around with terrorists" remark to be patently absurd when said terrorist was active when Senator Obama was only eight years old.

In short, Senator McCain has no right to be angry when asked about the hateful remarks shouted at his rallies. He has no ground to stand on when claiming he doesn't encourage this kind of behavior. If he truly respected and admired his opponent, as he claims, he would have cut off remarks and references to all of the above immaterial, twisted and just plain untrue statements at the beginning of his campaign. Sort of like Senator Obama made clear that Sarah Palin's pregnant seventeen year old daughter was off limits to his campaign.

Learn more about this author, Megan Steele.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.