I think you're right about the "for show" angle. The hateful messages still get out there and have their impact, but the campaign is allowed to seem above it by clucking their tongues.

My thought was that Rezko would be next week and Wright the following.

We've played this record before, during the primaries regarding Clinton camp's decision to go negative or not. What a quandry these sorts put themselves in when they have nothing positive to offer themselves.

If any who are engaging in smear as a means to an end have any conscience left, any would most probably spend many a sleepless night trying to set things right with any maker whom may be watching such sloth, deceit, malice and other sundry sins in operation.

Good religious luck to those in the McCain camp who would denigrate the human spirit merely to win an election here on earth. -Kevo

This crap, particularly the anti-elitist class war, has made David Brooks finally throw in the towel on the Republicans. His column today basically concedes that the wheels have all come off. He notes, among other things, that they have completely lost the allegiance of the professions (only about 20%-30% of doctors, lawyers, tech people, etc., now donate to Republicans) and even investment bankers favor Democrats 2-1. He concludes, "It took talent for Republicans to lose the banking community."

I'm appalled by your cynicism, deb abramson. John McCain is constantly shocked-- shocked-- at the sleazy tactics that his campaign is forced to deploy for the sake of the liberal media news cycle; it just seems as though the shock perimeter has been widened to encompass his campaign staffers who now are equally as shocked as their boss at the sleazy tactics their partisans in the crowd are championing.

"You're slaughtering cattle!"
"Of course, we need to, in order to survive. Do you want us to appear weak? Do you want us to get weak? In order to be strong, we need meat! RED MEAT FOR THE MASSES!"
"But you're killing them slowly, with poison-tipped dull steak knives! And then you're pleasuring yourselves with their wounds!"
"You know...we feel really bad about that. But some of our ranch hands feel that its necessary, to prove how strong we really are. What can you do? Gotta have RED MEAT FOR THE MASSES!"
"But like this?"
"RED MEAT FOR THE MASSES! REDMEATFORHEMASSESREDMEATFORTHEMASSESREDMEATFORTHEMASSESLALALALALALALALAREDMEATFORTHEMASSES!"
"You people are sick! I'm having none of it!"
"HA! Pussy."

The Republican Party is a big tent party, so it's only natural that there will be some internal debate over issues.

Such diversity of opinion would never occur among democrrats.

No bet. We'll see Wright be next week.

I'm not one who is prone to Chicken Littleism...but I swear to god, I'm genuinely becoming frightened. This is getting way out of control. The level of pure, unadulterated hatred is growing exponentially. McCain and Palin are feeding a beast they cannot control.

It's NOT going to help him win, and when it doesn't there are going to be a lot of disillusioned bigots roaming around. (think Jack Black's character in Bob Roberts)

I think much of their distress is over the reaction their attacks and the reactions from their crowds has gotten. Turn on any news show and the look of revulsion is unmistakable on the faces of those reporting. Say what you will about Chris Mathews, but he looks completely repulsed.

"He's a terrorist!" ""Treason!" "Kill him!" The line has been crossed. I'm sure many on here have seen the video clip showing McCain/Palin supporters being interviewed at a campaign appearance. One woman said, "its all in the bloodlines." "Bloodlines"? Who says that? That's the type of word and concept you hear from the neo-nazi crowd. Mainstream Republicans better think long and hard about the element this filthy campaign is appealing to.

I think these "concerns" are the beginning of the end for the McCain campaign. No one wants to be identified with a losing campaign and these discussions are a way for these insiders to start putting some distance between themselves and a losing strategy.

Only a small handful of dissenting Republican's have criticized the campaign for strategy or decisions (george Will, David Brooks, Kathleen Parker); I expect this to start growing very fast as the election nears and the gap between Obama vs. McCain support stays insurmountable.

An equally compelling concern for McCain in particular and Republicans in general is the long-term damage this behavior is doing to their "brand". Clinton lost her chance of a vice-presidency due to the way she behaved during her last desperate weeks of her campaign. McCain and the Republican's are doing the same thing-causing harm to their image by their desperate actions.

"I'm guessing he drops his reluctance and goes after Wright by the middle of next week. (Anyone want to lay odds on that?)"

I think the middle of next week is too soon, especially given the fact Wright is old news. I suspect next in line is a concerted effort from Fixed News Bordello and its stable of presstitutes and affiliates to push Rezko to show a pattern of poor judgement on Obama's part. Followed by another full on group bile movement to push out the slime on Wright the week before the election. The want Wright to be fresh in the minds of the electorate on election day.

Al said:
The Republican Party is a big tent party, so it's only natural that there will be some internal debate over issues.

Such diversity of opinion would never occur among democrrats.

I love dry, ironic humor. But if you were kidding, Al, then you were much too subtle.

About the only time the Democrats are in agreement is when they're rushing to capitulate to the demands of the Republican minorities in Congress.

Yes, I agree with others that we're going to see them try to establish the pattern of Chicago connections with Rezko rather than Wright, as least next week.

If they can make a narrative of it by including Wright, they will. I have no doubt about that. They are trying to establish a pattern of poor judgment. That's their story and they're stickin to it!

Personally, I doubt that I am the only one to see these questionable associations as a positive. For all McCain's talk of sitting people down at tables, Obama has actually been one of those table-sitters. The only reason McCain doesn't get the "congenality award" from his party is that he is an asshole. It has nothing to do with his virtues.

Now where have we heard about internal division before recently...oh, right, the last opponent Obama took down.

Some folks in the McCain campaign are simply covering their asses. They know that when an unhinged McCain/Palin supporter actually makes an attempt on Obama, there will be federal indictments against the campaign staff for inciting action, and they want to be on record opposing this stuff.

I didn't think I could still be shocked by anything coming out of the GOP, but I've been shocked by McCain's reactions to the bloodthirsty people in his crowds. He just nods and accepts all this, and that really shocks me.

2 thoughts on how to combat this:

1) Say nothing, keep on keeping on with talking about the economy and important things to make this country better. Give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves (which seems like they're doing in some portions of the public).

2) Find some "lower-level" and dare I say, expendable, Obama supporters to fight fire with fire....go after McCain on Keating, his Iran-Contra Board connections, his gambling (doesn't play good to those Bible Belters), Cindy's beer money, Cindy's drug habit (if they bring up Obama's drugs), and on and on. Get someone who is not seeking election, doesn't have to make everyone happy, isn't seeking a cabinet post, and turn them loose and hammer, hammer, hammer away until the noise cancels out the noise.

Or are they concerned that McCain's disgraceful conduct won't help turn the polls around?

You didn't seriously think it was any of the other options did you? Nah. :)

Even the worst of Bush/Cheney campaigns weren't quite like what we're seeing now. Although there was a whole industry for Clinton-haters in the 1990s, and I expect something similar during Obama's presidency.
I suspect most of these people are like McCain himself, they would never say these things outside the security of their little hatefests.

From, well, about any distance the McCain campaign seems to look utterly disjointed, flailing day after day and week after week to stay relevant. The economic crisis and final looting was if not perfectly timed, i was necessary for George Bush (the clock was running out), but horribly so for the republican candidate himself.

The campaign quickly suggested that if the discuss is on the economy, they'll surely lose and they would be pivoting to smear Obama.

Wow! Sounds bad. But after two and it being expected, its really hasn't been a big deal. Cable media is gleefully covering in every political section (that and the 'Bradley affect,' though curiously never connecting the dots).

We have now decided to judge John McCain on a new set of standards. Similar to how we judged him for his VP pick. Aghast! Now she covered like a real candidate, allowed to slander and smear and provoke - but never a press conference; but that's cool!

Either everyone is complicit or everyone has is unknowingly part of a very large focus group that has told John McCain that - He can get away with anything!

I'm not one who is prone to Chicken Littleism...but I swear to god, I'm genuinely becoming frightened. This is getting way out of control. The level of pure, unadulterated hatred is growing exponentially. McCain and Palin are feeding a beast they cannot control...
Posted by: neilt on October 10, 2008 at 11:26 AM

Taj Mahal says it best: "If you ain't scared, you ain't right!"

It is misinformation. The reason we are hearing about this "internal dissent" is that the McCain wants to project some level of compunction concerning its horrific strategy. This right out of the Atwater/Rove/Schmidt playbook. Actuality is, these people are amoral, the have no moral compunction or even the most rudimentary capacity to feel shame. They care only about winning power and hurting the opponent. It is war in the most debased sense of the term.

They've been playing to yahoos for forty years, to the point that all they have left are yahoos. Now, the yahoos want to run the party. Surprise!

I agree that it's Rezko this week, then Wright the next, then all 3 in the grand "who is the real Barack Obama," which McCain has been saying all week. Lay the frame, fill it in.

To BullCity

As far as the election is concerned, nothing is needed to combat this other than the illuminating rays of intense media spotlight.
As far as post election is concerned, watchdog groups must be formed to keep an ever watchful eye on these group's activities after the media ceases to be interested.

What I find disturbing is that the use of Rev. Wright or Rezko in this campaign still has any relevance, not to mention Ayers. Are the American people still paying attention as their stake in the financial health of this nation and the world is dwindling before their eyes? If I were faced with financial ruin, which millions are today, I wouldn't really care if the candidate I favored had consorted with prostitutes in his youth, done cocaine, hung out with some reformed '60s radical or attended church services conducted by a radical(not that much) preacher, who no longer has his ear. I'd want to know specifically how he was going to address the 'real' concerns of my life: paying my bills, educating my children, providing health care for myself and my family and friends. The question of judgment is not who one once upon a time had a conversation with, but with whom one surrounds himself and is providing guidance in the critical matters at hand.
The character of McCain, both Cindy and John and Palin, including Todd, is most relevant, and it is defined by how and whom they have chosen to represent them, by intention or 'accident'.

I don't know how much longer the "media" will continue to feed the Elephant in order to keep ratings and ad revenue high, but they better stop soon before they become the cause of tragic consequences to the opponent. And, we the people best let them know we hold them accountable for their negative partisanship.
I am committed to Oneness through Justice and Transformation
peace,
st john

If we're in the business of second-guessing the behind-the-scenes campaign tactics and thinking, allow me to hazard a guess at Team Obama's.

This is basically the same 'Give Them Enough Rope' tactic that they used on the lying by the McCain campaign. There, they let the bad behavior continue long enough until non-partisans and journalists (even those friendly to the conservative cause) began to notice. Then they came storming back with campaign statements, emails, press releases, conference calls etc calling the McCain campaign out on their lies and misrepresentations.

I expect the same thing to happen here. The media is beginning to question just how ugly and unpleasant this has become; the Obama campaign will now start to amp up this narrative.

Soon, the whole thing gets flipped. The story is no longer Obama's associations, it's the nasty, angry and racist reactions that McCain and Palin are creating.

I have traveled and worked all across this magnificent country.

I have encountered all manner of folks.

The scariest though, are the bible-addled "christian-based" wackos.

Folks who talk about "the end of days" act like it's their duty to make sure we get there!

I even met a commander of a Trident Class Nuclear submarine, who was clearly in a bible fantasy land and scared the living day lights out of me with his hate talk (anti this anti that..the devil, blah blah)

If, and I mean If, the McCain camp is run by even one of these christobibloidiots, be very afraid.

One of many ironies, but watching the clips of McCain Palin supporters, I am struck that their over the top self-centered emotional responses represent the same sort of behavior they find so reprehensible in Reverend Wright.

The only debate in that campaign is when to start handing out the axe handles at Palin rallies...

I'm not sure that this is about honor. I'm sure that some in the McCain campaign have contemplated what the consequences would be if some fired up yahoo at a Palin rally seriously injures (or worse) a reporter for a TV network, and there's video of the incident, with other members of the crowd cheering the assault. Even if they don't care about the ethics of calling for blood, they would still worry about the backlash.

McEvil and hit bitch, MRS 666, should be treated AS RAPID ANIMALS ... SIMPLY DESTROYED SO THAT THEY CAN'T INFECT OTHERS ...

The downside to McCain of bringing up the Jeremiah Wright issue is the very real possibility the hatred that will be stirred up will end up having the McCain and Palin rallies portrayed as something akin to KKK gatherings.

Looks like McS & McP are deparate and will use all tactics to get some traction. Fear and ignorance and hate are very dangerous paths to take and they have crossed the line. They should be called out right to their faces about this and be held accountable. Why wan't the networks not run the ads if they are over a certain line or far too untruthful. There should be some kind of accountability.

"The downside to McCain of bringing up the Jeremiah Wright issue is the very real possibility the hatred that will be stirred up will end up having the McCain and Palin rallies portrayed as something akin to KKK gatherings."

Or a Pantera concert.

The Republican Party better think long and hard about the consequences of the aftermath of this campaign. I'll say it again. "Bloodlines" is a term often heard in neo-nazi circles. "Its all about the bloodlines" that was a chilling statement.

My guess is that we will see high profile mainstream Republicans publically distance themselves from McCain, Palin and their filthy campaign. ANd there's no doubt in my mind, on election night, the minute its called the Republican Party will savagely turn on Sarah Palin and blame her. She's becoming the official face of this hatefullness. The GOP will have to put a lot of distance between themselves and her.

Posted by: slappy magoo on October 10, 2008 at 11:24 AM

"RED MEAT FOR THE MASSES"

I don't know exactly what this means or where it came from, but it makes sense in an Animal Farm sort of way - making intrinsic sense in a nonsensical narrative. Too funny.

stormskies,

It's is as ugly from our side as it is from theirs. Let's leave the unhinged calls to violence to the rabid right wing.

What I am going to say is so sad and ugly that, for only the second time in my internet history, I'm using this name instead of a more familiar one. But I really think the best thing that could happen for the country would be a failed or foiled attack on Obama by one of the crazies out there. It would cause an "Ohmigod, what have we done" reaction that would penetrate 99% of the 'red meat' conservatives, and even McCain himself.

It would be horrible, but it might bring people to their senses.

Interesting to think that an attack on Obama would open some eyes....may very well be the case. Too bad.

stormskies at 12:25 PM, not sure if you're serious or just testing. Either way, this is our rally and fascists aren't welcome here. If you can't control yourself, get out and take the rest of the hatemongers with you!

I'm very concerned and outright scared on what is going on the past few days at McCain rallys.

It does not portend well for the US social fabric as dark economic times rapidly arrive.

I now wonder about whether there is any truth to the conspiracies floating around the internet of a closed door meeting of the US House of Representatives this past March, where it is alleged that the House members were briefed about an imminent financial collapse in the US sometime in late 2008, collapse of US Government finances by mid 2009, civil unrest, possible civil war in the US, rounding up of citizens, and ultimately coming out of the carnage, a North American Union with a new currency called the Amero.
With the recent collapse going on in global equity markets, the financial collapse prediction is way to close for my comfort. The angry crowds at McCain rallies just makes me wonder if there is anything to this after all.

as much as i hate to say it, i think that the campaign and surrogates are going to have to push the palin-alaska independence party story. if she is going to use "obama finds america so imperfect" lines, what is more symbolic of finding america so imperfect that you support/affiliate/join (in todd's case) a party that seeks for the state to secede from the union? i think many do not yet know about this since it was reported on when palin first came on the scene and, on the right, most of it was bundled into the "unfair liberal media attacks" including the rumors about the baby really being her daughter's. but, this is real and the mccain campaign has had to admit it. her video presentation to the aip's convention is on you tube. why not push this story to the fore-front? if they are going to start hitting with rezko and wright, i would prefer a pre-emptive strike that shuts it down. thoughts?

I'm with FLDem. I think it's bizarre that the Obama campaign has not released an ad highlighting Sarah's cheery video salutation to this year's AIP conference, her husband's long membership in the party, Sarah's own start in politics courtesy of a couple of Wasilla AIP goons, wrapping it all up with a couple of Joe Vogler's choicest anti-American diatribes. My God, can't they see that Palin is the only thing that McCain has going for him, and that eroding her credibility will also degrade McCain's? It also has the advantage of grabbing the initiative for once, something the Obama campaign was quite late in coming to.

I remain hopeful that they already have this ad in the can and are just waiting for the right moment in the next couple of days when McCain brings up Wright. If they don't, they're fools. This is not a time for manners befitting a Unitarian Saturday luncheon.

bluestatedon, wouldn't it make more sense to do it pre-emptively? part of what has made mccain look so bad in doing this attacking now is that it looks desperate (even joe scarborough was saying that this morning). why risk looking like you are scared of the ayers, rezko, wright story by not doing it before-hand? i understand that part of it is not wanting to ruin the "brand" obama has developed as above it, calm, etc. but i'm worried that we are long ways away from nov. 4th. on the other hand, it's a good sign that this non-sense has been going on for a week and it does not seem to have moved the polls other than higher negatives for both mcc. and palin.

It certainly does seem true that as soon as McCain says something, you can count on him to reverse his stance the following week....

"Or are they concerned that McCain's disgraceful conduct won't help turn the polls around?"
I'll take door number three.
If these "campaign officials" had a shred of decency, they would immediately resign their positions citing points 1 and 2 as the reasons. That'll be the day.