An indecent defense: McCain missed a moment to lead

[struggle4progress]

By Terry Ahwal • October 13, 2008

During a town hall meeting last week, a member of the audience told Republican presidential nominee John McCain, “I don’t trust Obama, he is an Arab.” McCain replied defensively, "I have to tell you, Sen. Obama is a decent person and a person you don’t have to be scared of as president of the United States.” I don’t know what was most offensive, the initial remark, McCain’s answer -- or the media reaction to the whole episode.

It seems everyone challenged McCain on the negative rhetoric he introduced against Obama, but no one challenged him or the woman on their comments insinuating that Arabs are not decent or not good Americans.

Sadly, these statements were not made in a vacuum. Since Barack Obama began his presidential run, hatred toward Arabs and Muslims has become a normal part of our language. Imagine for a minute if the person in the audience had used the word “Jew” or “black” or “Latino” ...

Since it is politically incorrect to say anything publicly about his race, many find it permissible and actually beneficial to interchangeably equate Obama with the negative “Arab” or “Muslim.” Miscues such as “Osama … Oops, Obama …” are seen as slips of the tongue. Some use his middle name as a negative. I have become accustomed to the demonizing of Arabs in both the media and political circles. However, I am concerned about the disenfranchisement of more than six million Americans who are of Arab descent for the sake of gaining a few more votes ...

http://www.freep.com/article/20081013/OPINION05/81013036?imw=Y

[Solly Mack]

1. Oh, I think the Bush admin. can carry a great deal of that blame

as well

and every single right-wing "pundit" and talk-radio hate-monger over the last 8 years

McCain and Palin used the stage that was set for them...doesn't make them any less guilty....but it wasn't just them

[melody]

2. Where has Ahwal been? Everyone is challenging McCain on that.

KO did last night and I've just read two pieces yesterday citing McCain's racism in doing that very thing.