McCain's Hatemongering, P. 2

Frank Rich had another great piece in yesterday's New York Times on the topic of the McCain campaign's use of the so-called "race card," especially in recent weeks, in the presidential contest. He says quite clearly -- and correctly -- that there can be no doubt that McCain is overtly playing on racial fears -- stoking the worst demons of the American psyche -- in an attempt to whip up support for his candidacy. Rich is incorrect on one point, however.

"McCain, who is no racist, turned to this desperate strategy only as Obama started to pull ahead."

I believe that McCain should indeed now be considered a racist. This past week has made that clear. He is the master of his campaign. The buck stops with him. Put it as you will, but what the campaign says and does, from top to bottom, is an extension of McCain the man. Palin comes across as overtly racist on the stump. McCain's tepid defense of Obama in the face of the frenzied crowds he himself stoked are too little, too late to avoid the label now of "racist."

Rich says something quite true near the start of his column.

IF you think way back to the start of this marathon campaign, back when it seemed preposterous that any black man could be a serious presidential contender, then you remember the biggest fear about Barack Obama: a crazy person might take a shot at him.

Some voters told reporters that they didn’t want Obama to run, let alone win, should his very presence unleash the demons who have stalked America from Lincoln to King. After consultation with Congress, Michael Chertoff, the homeland security secretary, gave Obama a Secret Service detail earlier than any presidential candidate in our history — in May 2007, some eight months before the first Democratic primaries.

“I’ve got the best protection in the world, so stop worrying,” Obama reassured his supporters. Eventually the country got conditioned to his appearing in large arenas without incident (though I confess that the first loud burst of fireworks at the end of his convention stadium speech gave me a start). In America, nothing does succeed like success. The fear receded.

Guess what... I'm scared again.

12 October 2008