Now, its bad enough that this country is dealing with an economic crisis, enveloped in global ramifications, but then, to top it off, you have this Republican GOP yahoo feeding the flames of ignorance and hatred, and it makes one wonder, how BAD can Prince William County look? This article in Time magazine allows us a glimpse into the local strategy of the McCain campaign and it isn’t a pretty sight.
In response to this outrageous comment by Jeff Frederick, John McCain’s tepid response is incredibly disappointing. I wonder, in what “context” would comparing Senator Obama to Osama Bin Laden EVER be acceptable?
If John McCainis as serious as he says about running a “respectful” campaign against an opponent he considers “a decent person,” word hasn’t yet trickled down to his newly opened storefront field office in Gainesville, Virginia.
No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Virginia since 1964, and most election years both campaigns pretty much ignore the state. This time, however, McCain is running behind Barack Obama in statewide polls, thanks in large part to the head start he got on the ground there. “We haven’t seen a race like this in Virginia — ever,” said state GOP Chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick. “The last time was 40 years ago, and they didn’t run races like this.”
Indeed, Frederick, a 33-year-old state legislator, hadn’t even been born yet. But earlier this year Frederick unseated a moderate 71-year-old former lieutenant governor (who also happens to be Jenna Bush’s father-in-law) to become head of the Virginia GOP, promising “bold new leadership” for a state party recently on the decline.
The McCain campaign invited me to visit Frederick and the Gainesville operation on Saturday morning, to get a first-hand glimpse of its ground game in Prince William County, Virginia, a fast-growing area about 30 miles from Washington, D.C.
With so much at stake, and time running short, Frederick did not feel he had the luxury of subtlety. He climbed atop a folding chair to give 30 campaign volunteers who were about to go canvassing door to door their talking points — for instance, the connection between Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden: “Both have friends that bombed the Pentagon,” he said. “That is scary.” It is also not exactly true — though that distorted reference to Obama’s controversial association with William Ayers, a former 60s radical, was enough to get the volunteers stoked. “And he won’t salute the flag,” one woman added, repeating another myth about Obama. She was quickly topped by a man who called out, “We don’t even know where Senator Obama was really born.” Actually, we do; it’s Hawaii.
totally off topic, but did you all know that Barack,translated into Hebrew means Baruch, blessed. Every Hebrew prayer begins with Baruch. Just thought that was an interesting tidbit I thought I would share.
Did you also see the article in today’s paper in the Science section entitled, “Does Your Subconscious Think Obama is Foreign?” Apparently whites are psychologically programmed to associate whiteness with being American, and blackness or other minority as non-American.
Last paragraph:
“Suggesting Obama is foreign or unknown offers a cover for racism…You can’t say he is black and unfit to be president, but you can say that he is Muslim and therefore unfit to be president.”
This may be so but remember that everyone is capable of bigotry. Even things like age can be catalysts when young people dehumanize old people and vice versa.
I’m not so afraid of bigotry per se. I fear when bigots achieve a monopoly on violence and can use the power of the state to carry out their bigotry. Maybe the bigotry can be reduced. Maybe not. But I know for sure that the power of the state can be reduced.
I firmly believe everyone is a bigot in some way against someone. It is the human condition, I fear. Do we accept it? No. But we do need to be aware.
Some people also just need someone to dislike. Remember when the wall came down? Many of us wondered who those who saw communists under every rock would hate, with the communist system broken. Guess we are finding out. Those same people think of us here as ‘apologists,’ sympathizers, and yes, communists, even now.
Firedancer, I think some of those people are genuinely afraid. It doesn’t make it right but it makes it more understandable. Those who get along in life quoting sound bites and ditto head mis-info lack some sort of intelletual experience or exposure that would allow them to be different.
Desperate. Desperate. Desperate. Jeff Frederick is yet another perfect example of a bad loser. A loser who implodes when it counts the most. A loser who shows his true stripes and cracks under pressure. Jeff Frederick will now go down in history as among the top ten most humiliated and disgraced Virginians in the new century.
Off the top of my head, Jeff Frederick’s hall of shame includes: George Allen, Corey Stewart, Greg Letiecq, John Stirrup, Virgil Goode, and Tom Kopko (if he really is Second Alamo).
Any other suggestions? I think Robert Duecaster deserves to be on the list. But truth be told, his infamy is somewhat nameless. 9 out of 10 people I meet know him not by name but as “that crazy we are being invaded guy.”
The thing is, I would be hard pressed to think of another state that has this many national disgraces. Why Virginia? Why why why?
Many of those people on the list aren’t Virginians–not by birth or longevity in the state. Some of them can just be shame without a state.
Now don’t go picking on Second Alamo. He isn’t nasty and he gives his reasons. People can disagree without us demonizing them.
The comment was very inappropriate and inflammatory, however, I don’t fault McCain for saying he would have to know the “context” before commenting. He does clarify that he repudiates any comments that are inappropriate about Obama. In today’s climate of wild rhetoric on both sides, it is prudent to make sure you know the facts and the context before commenting on what someone else has said.
When Rep. Lewis recently said McCain and Palin were stoking the fires and fears of racism, he wasn’t lying. And while talking heads debate and spin the “context” of Jeff Frederick’s remarks, it would seem McCain-Palin supporters are quite aware of the “context” and are putting it to intended effect.
Just one example is this picture (click here). It’s from a McCain-Palin rally yesterday (Oct. 12) in Virginia Beach, and shows two people holding up signs that read Osama bin Lyin’, as if to equate Barack Obama with the master of Al-Qaeda.
McCain, because of his pivotal position as the Republican presidential candidate, has all cameras on him. As a result he has the power to put an instant stop to the bigotry and vileness that are attaching to his campaign, by speaking out against it all in powerful terms.
But he isn’t putting a stop to it. He’s allowing it to fester. Why? Only one answer: he must think that it’s politically expedient to allow the fear to continue.
And that is the ultimate evidence of his weakness, his shamelessness, and his cowardice.
A correction: the signs in the picture said “Obama bin Lyin”, not “Osama bin Lyin”. Sorry for the error.
Robb,
I can see why the mind would play tricks on you. Clearly, the “context” of having Bin in ones names relates to Osama BIN laden. The play on words is clear. All these “proud” moments at McCain rally’s, he should be mortified.
I’m afraid the Republican party is imploding. We have seen Joe McCain call people in Northern Virginia ‘Communists’, Frederick with this nutty comparison between Osama and Obama, and just a general hatred among Republicans for people with dissenting opinions and on occasion racism. We haven’t been very inclusive and we should recognize that we have taken a step backwards. Unfortunately, it appears that this election is going to be a blood bath. Hopefully, we’re able to rebuild this party without the hate-mongers.
It isn’t getting any better. I am even lowering myself to watch Faux News to see examples of democrats misbehaving and acting ugly. They aren’t showing it. They are just showing how the poor republicans are being picked on and beating Ayers to death.
This election is making me sick. And to throw my own little MEOW in there, guess who forgot to register to vote? Mrs. Palin’s future son in law. Future? Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe in marrying young people off if that isn’t their choice. But why say that is your plan and then do nothing about it. Seems like they should have just said nothing.
Good luck with that task, Alanna. I say that sincerely. It’s good to have a two-party or multi-party system. Dissent is not bad. Hatred of half the population is bad. The Republican party has come to represent intolerance – intolerance of differing religious views, social views,political stances (naturally!). A person can hold conservative views about the Constitution, social mores,fiscal responsibilites, etc. without being a hater.
Perhaps it’s time to examine why hate has become so important to people. For Karl Rove and Lee Atwater it was a method of winning elections. For Limbaugh and cronies, it’s a meal ticket. But what is it to the average person? A cover-up for fear? And fear of what?
Let’s not foreget that Mr. Fredericks was GL’s choice for party chairman. It appears that we are going to be stuck with this brand of politics for a while. Perhaps the results of this election will serve as a wake-up call to moderate Reps. to mobilize and take back their party.
“I’m afraid the Republican party is imploding. We have seen Joe McCain call people in Northern Virginia ‘Communists’, Frederick with this nutty comparison between Osama and Obama, and just a general hatred among Republicans for people with dissenting opinions and on occasion racism. We haven’t been very inclusive and we should recognize that we have taken a step backwards. Unfortunately, it appears that this election is going to be a blood bath. Hopefully, we’re able to rebuild this party without the hate-mongers.”
Alanna:
This kind of crap has been going on since well before the last presidential election. Their hatred and vitrol aren’t new, and as one who has been on the receiving end of it many times they haven’t changed a bit. They’re still just as nasty. Only thing is now – seems like those who identified as republican before, but don’t agree and are vocal with their policies are now on the receiving end. Where were people like you 4 years ago when the Bush-Cheney campaign was actively waging the culture war and openly attacking veterans who didn’t side with them…openly attacking gays, openly attacking women voters…openly attacking people of no faith/different faith? YOur party and the people who made it up were cheering along the sidelines for the racists, bigots, dominionists and xenophobes. I really want to extend sympathy towards people like that, but I can’t…because for the past 6 years they’ve supported the hate (silently or loudly), and now they’re victim to it. Well, boo hoo…and if your party fails, so be it. Now you can try to change your party….but now it may be like putting lipstick on a pig.
What a jerk. Elena is completely right that there is no time where it is acceptable to compare an American presidential candidate to Osama bin Laden.
As ignorant as this comment was, we should all thank Jeff for his stupidity. I guarantee you this was the last thing that John McCain wanted to be talking about yesterday.
Not Me, Bubba
Guilty as charged.
And yet another embarrassment to my generation….
Good Lord, what went WRONG with us??
There’s an easy fix for all this. Make Obama Irish: Barry O’Bama.
BTW, anyone with a brain would know a presidential candidate would have had so many security checks, s/he wouldn’t be able to sit for months.
McCain thinks we are all idiots, apparently?
Now THAT is funny Pinko, “Barry O’Bama”!
Wanna make some campaign signs?
but McCain knows how well a Smear Campaign can work – http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/03/21/the_anatomy_of_a_smear_campaign/ – and McCain has hired the same idiot who spread the false lies that McCain was gay.
I saw President Bush on TV today and a frightening thought occurred to me:
I would RATHER see a 3rd term from President Bush than see McCain and Palin succeed him.
I have more confidence in Bush than McCain. I never thought I’d say that. I think the reasons are his strange behavior under pressure, his choice for VP, and his fogginess on the complexities on the economy.
Pat Herve thanks for finding that story. I had always heard about the “McCain has a Black baby” smear from 2000, but never got the scoop from inside the campaign. I know that must have been painful for the McCain family. And it must have eaten away at him not to be able to come out forcefully to denounce this attack on his family, for fear of angering the Bush family and not being able to get the nomination this time. Instead, he took it out on Bush in other ways. It would have been nice if he took it out on Bush by not supporting the invasion of Iraq….
“I would RATHER see a 3rd term from President Bush than see McCain and Palin succeed him.”
Well, it’s a “should I drink Bleach or Drano” situation for me… Frankly the whole system needs an enema, and it’s too painful to think of Bush/Cheney in office for another four years…but then again, the future doesn’t look so bright if McCain steps in…
Watching clips from the Richmond Intl Raceway rally…*SHUDDER* Another 4 years of policies to make people like that happy make me seriously think about moving to Canada if McCain is deemed the winner. I don’t want to raise my kids in a state or nation run by and for Bubba’s and Barbies…
How is having a black baby a smear? I must be missing something here.
I don’t think that Jeff Fredericks comments are any worse than some of the vile things posted on this blog, regarding Corey Stewart, John Stirrup, Greg Leticq, Rob Duecaster, and anyone else who disagrees with your feel-good agenda. Your hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Alanna said:
Alanna it is up to the true Republicans to take a stand and stop the extemist hate-mongers from taking over the party. Both sides will be pointing the finger after this election. Jeff Frederick and the lowbrow hordes will try to blame John McCain and those of us who supported him in the primary. If anything, McCain’s descent into the Rovian bigotry bating depths in recent weeks will muddy the waters. The Mike May’s and Marty Nohe’s of the party will be able to say to the Jeff Frederick’s and Corey Stewart’s, “Don’t blame us, you insisted we try racism to win the election and we did, and it still didn’t work. If Tom Tancredo had been doing the same, that would have been an even bigger landslide.”
The message from the middle to the right wing extremists has to be, “America is moving on, racism and various other forms of prejudice are no longer viable political tactics in Virginia, or on a national scale. It is time for new ideas that can take the Commonwealth and the nation into the future, not a desperate dive into days gone by when just being the party of low taxes, small government, and sound foreign policy was the recipe in most regions (with a sprinkle of racism in others). The really extreme right wingers like Frederick, Stirrup, and Stewart have forgotten all the true Republican maxims, and recall only the sprinkle of racism part for some damned reason.
Where’s the outrage when a Democrat congressman from Florida compares John McCain to George Wallace? HYPOCRITES ALL!
Alanna,
I’m curious as to what a Republican like yourself thinks of the Libertarian Party?
Are there aspects of their platform that you can’t feel you can support?
Their stance on immigration is even better than the Democrats I believe. Civil liberties, small government, America the Republic not America the Empire. There’s a lot to like.
When our leaders stop being an embarrassment to us, when they prove they are ethical, responsible human beings whome WE elected, when they truly serve ALL of us, then we, the people, will stop complaining about them. Until that time, BooHoo, here’s a tissue. Keep crying.
If you look at that tape at the McCain/Palin rallies, you see a situation when the mobs are leading the leaders. The leaders need to lead the mobs. And that involves Republican leaders in Virginia providing some “straight talk” like McCain did when that woman said she couldn’t trust Obama being that he is an Arab.
Republican leadership needs to have that same conversation with Corey Stewart, Greg Letiecq, and the mob that leads them. Unless … they ARE the mob, in which case, someone in the party needs to stand up to them, then wrestle the chairmanship away from Jeff “Racist as I Wanna Be” Frederick.
Police: Man who assaulted Mt. Kisco cop had been deported twice
http://www.lohud.com/article/20081014/NEWS01/810140415/1020/NEWS04
Boo Hoo,
What do you know about George Wallace? Actually, I believe that Rep Lewis was comparing the language behaviors of McCain and Wallace. Go back and read what he said.
The point he was making is when you use language that incites anger or if you are in its presence and do nothing to disavow that language, it can lead to horrible events.
You might not like what he said, and you might feel McCain is being falsely accused, but Rep Lewis is quite correct about where that kind of behavior can lead.
Here is the quote for you to re-read:
You must be too young to know anything about Governor Wallace or you would not have missed Rep. Lewis’s point. I am sure Rep. Lewis remembers all too well, given his age and where he grew up.
Inon, haven’t seen you around for a while. I tend to agree with you. McCain should have seen the comments before commenting.
I am just horribly sick of this election.
————————————————————————————————-
BooHoo, show me a quote where someone has lied about one of those people you named or where there have been a call for violence against one of them. I doubt if you will find any pitchforks here. I always thought pitchforks were for mucking a stable.
I believe you will find the violence and the lies elsewhere.
PAP,
Because it was a lie. The McCains adopted a child with a cleft palate from one of Mother Teresa’s orphanages. People were talking smack.
I am sick of this election too and I don’t want to vote for either of them. I am still undecided as to WHO I will vote for. A write in or one of these jokers…..
This is what we need to pay attention too! We still have 4 more months of DAMAGE to be done for the next joker to step in and roll with it or not be able to undo 4 more months!!!???
Whatcha, whatcha y’all think? 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB9fuIvksLw&eurl=http://www.infowars.com/?p=5298
Jeff Fredericks comments were pretty stupid and do nothing for the McCain campaign (by the way, I’m not a republican). The only thing comments like that do is push independents away and draw unwanted supporters which is obvious by some of his more recent rallies. You do have to give McCain some credit though, he corrected a supporter at a rally who called Obama an “Arab” (but nobody ever mentions that). However, the same can’t be said for some of the regular posters here who have used far worse language to talk about many of our own elected officials. People in glass houses… So it’s fine to compare PWCPD to Nazi storm troopers? It’s fine to call most of the BOCS racists and compare them to Hitler? Hmmm… comparing Corey Stewart to Hitler good, comparing Obama to Bin Laden bad. Does anyone else see the hypocrisy here or is it just me?
Moon Howler,
There are just some comments, that have no plausible redeemable explanation. The rise of using a 60’s hippie nut to Osama Bin Laden has NO credible relationship. Given the recent events at McCain rally’s, with people actually referring to Obama as a terrorist or endorsing terrorism, I’m not sure it’s really all that important to know the exact context of the quote. It is clear from the writerof the Time article, that Fredericks intent was to stir up anger with the “base” in that room. We all know that when we think of terrorists in this day and age, Islam extremism comes to mind, not a throwback white guy the 60’s.
I don’t think listening to this kind of crap does anyone any good. On the slim chance this is true…..emphasis: slim…..nothing you can do about it anyway.
You are just scaring yourself , RD, when you listen to this stuff. There are thousands of people out there thinking they are great economists and that they know what is best. We can’t listen to them all.
No one has EVER compared Corey to Hitler Hello. Please, find me the quote that says that one. I cannot recall one poster saying that PWCPD were like SS Storm Troopers, and if someone said that, I am sure there was a reubuttal comment. Most poster here have defended Chief Deane and his police staff. The reality is that people who were the most vocal, like Greg, like Robert Duecaster, clearly said and promoted prejudice towards Latino’s. Extremism became mainstream, its just that simple. We have applaueded the subsequent efforts of several Board members for changing the resolution and voting no on the appointment of Robert Duecaster.
Hello,
“Does anyone else see the hypocrisy here or is it just me?”
LOL, well, I would say you have a point when politics is treated as a religion but there should be a respectful separation of church and state.
The ONLY thing we should not compromise is the FREEDOM to do what we are all doing and that is under conviction, trying to make OUR point right/wrong or indifferent.
Cheers~
Moon-howler,
LOL!!!! I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!! IF by chance it is true, there is nothing we can do and I have a tendency to scare myself with horror movies etc., I like the thrill but I am the one that ends up with all the lights on in the house after watching..LOL
I think that is why I like SOME conspiracy theories but DAMN/DANG/DARN….this sound to much like it is true.
IF you or anyone else finds out that it is true, will you be pissed? LOL
I know I will be. Amerika, Amerika….just kidding-kinda 🙁
But your right, if it IS true, it’s like KNOWING when you are going to die. That sounds morbid but I hope you know what I mean, as in …oh…..forget it here is a video 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETGJRvnkfHU
Hello,
I guess everyone got the memo to come here and call the bloggers here hypocrites. Yawn. Actually, I most certainly did give McCain credit for rebuking the woman who called Obama an Arab. Poke around. Its here. Others did also.
As for Corey Stewart and John Stirrup, you are damned right I am going to speak to the issues I don’t like. They are elected officials in this county. I do not think you will find one place where I have referred to them as storm troopers or Hitler. I don’t recall anyone else saying that either. Please provide the example and the thread, time and date.
We did have a post thread about the 8 steps of genocide and there were some common behaviors that we saw happening here in Prince William County. Were we to ignore these? Are we to ignore the lies about crime and education being told by those two to bolster up their political agenda?
Obama is not a terrorist and no one has any proof of any kind that he is. What is being said is simply not true and is right out of the bag of campaign dirty tricks…you know, sort of like swift-boating. I was equally offended by the 2000 accusation of Senator McCain having a black love child. So explain to me again how I or any other regular here is a hypocrite.
One more thing, it seems that the T word is throw about too much. Obama is a terrorist. Chief Deane commits treason. See the connection? Anything for the good of the cause.
Jeff Frederick is also being a little punk. He will get spanked by his more mature Republican party members for this display.
Red Dawn, I couldn’t agree with you more about the “respectful separation of church and state”. I think that has something to do with the downfall of hard core conservative republicans.
Elena, this is too easy: (this is after just a few minutes of looking)
Juturna – 2/28/08 – GH – At least Hitler had a financial plan. Some here clearly don’t. That is one distinction between Stewart/BVBL/HSM and Hitler.
http://www.antibvbl.net/index.php/2008/03/19/zeigen-sie-mir-ihre-papiere-seien-sie-ihre-papiere-im-auftrag/
Hello, it’s time to put the broad brush away…or back up your accusations.
Oh geez….now another video to lighten things up. That was deep ;(
( listen up my cultural student NGL 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mHaFMqde6A