Is McCain ignorant or racist? Or both?

Is McCain ignorant or racist? Or both?

John McCain's response to a volunteer's blunder leaves no doubt about his feelings toward Arabs.

October 14, 2008 1:41 by kippreport

I was forwarded a clip of John McCain’s rally in Lakeville on October 10, and was told to listen carefully to the stuttering volunteer with the microphone. So I did. Here’s what she said: “Obama…he’s uh…uh…he’s an Arab!…” Then John McCain stepped in, shook his head and said:

“No ma’am, no ma’am. He’s a decent, family man, citizen, that I happen to have disagreements with.” Then the crowd booed.

I didn’t expect the volunteer to know any better, but I was surprised by McCain’s response. He refutes the woman’s claim by insisting that Obama is a ‘good’ guy, but he doesn’t explain why Obama isn’t Arab. Surely McCain knows that an Arab can be good, right?

Take a look at the clip (Youtube.com), and let us know what you think.

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3 Comments

Scott on October 14, 2008 4:56 pm

Early reports had the woman saying “Arab terrorist,” and some speculated that the mic cut out for a sec, and that’s what McCain heard and was responding to.

Of course there’s the equally plausible possibility that the original reporter of the “Arab terrorist” line, Ana Marie Cox of Time, heard “Arab” and remembered “Arab terrorist” (those two things being so easily confused out in pitchfork country). Cox later updated her post, “While I heard the woman continue to mumble after McCain took the microphone, and seemed to hear her say ‘terrorist,’ the video of the event doesn’t bear that out.”

Of course the McCain camp can’t exactly come forward and clarify matters, because neither one — “McCain says Obama’s not Arab, but instead decent” and “McCain supporter thinks Obama’s a terrorist” — makes him look very good.

If you really have time to kill, dig up the video of the woman talking to reporters afterwards. I actually felt sorry for the bigoted old lady.
Sandy Best on October 21, 2008 4:52 am

Headlines with catchy â€˜errorsâ€™ grab the attention; while the apology tucked away the next day goes un-noticed. Innuendo makes people add on the phrase â€˜thereâ€™s no smoke without fireâ€™. Not correcting a false statement, while appearing to praise is a remarkable acquiescence to a lie. Below the belt campaigning all the way to the voting chav
Mr GOP on October 22, 2008 1:05 pm

OK, now as I’m sure that Kipp is fair and balanced, go ahead and publish an Obama-related blunder now, such as the one about people clinging to their guns and religion. Here’s another one: when asked when life begins (that is, when a baby begins to form), Obama answers “That’s above my pay grade”. Well, if such a simple issue is above your pay grade, puppy, then I don’t know how you expect to handle other complex issues associated with being commander in chief. Long live McCain and Palin.