# McCain finally draws a line on slander **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 11, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405 "2008-10-11T01:50:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/41 "2008-10-11T04:49:10Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > So maybe he’s just been _dabbling_ with the mob mentality? I’m not sure that says anything better about him. No, it means he may be so oblivious and detached, he hasn’t noticed how ugly his crowds have been getting. I’m not sure that says anything better about him either. ---
**Author:** ![placebo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e274bd/32.png) [@placebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/placebo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/42 "2008-10-11T04:57:57Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > **Bryan Ekers** is from Montreal. Oh, right. :smack: > [@Frank](#): > > A further, and - I hope - subtle reference was to the BQ, the political party in Quebec which . . . y’know, never mind . . . No, go on. Don’t be shy. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/43 "2008-10-11T05:20:00Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > But I’m not convinced that McCain was really trying to stir up shit on the level of people genuinely believing that Obama is an Arab and/or terrorist. Trying to stir up lots of shit encouraging mistrust of Obama in general, sure. But actually trying to turn his supporters into paranoid delusional hate mobs—no, I’m not sure that McCain seriously intended to call that monster to life. I could be wrong, of course. Fair enough. I was honestly entertaining the idea that, at least subconsiously, he was a latter-day Henry II, hoping out loud that some friend would get rid of his turbulent priest. I can at least dismiss that scenario, based on the fact that he pulled back from the abyss. He’s still shown an appalling degree of cynicism and bad judgment, though. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/44 "2008-10-11T05:20:39Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > that’s exactly the reaction they were hoping for when they planted the shill for him to slap down. I honestly don’t believe this was staged. That woman was no actress. More significantly, John McCain is no actor, and I think that wincing expression on his face and the “no no no,” was genuine. I think he he felt he could walk a tightrope of trying to frame this Ayers stuff as being about “judgement,” and “honesty” (albeit, on the flimsiest of premises, but McCain’s campaign is getting down to its last few outs right now) without going into full bore character assasination. I think he may be legitimately caught by surprise at the levels of irrational anger and hatred he’s been seeing. I think John McCain still has a soul and a conscience in there somewhere. Palin doesn’t, and a lot of the people running his campaign don’t, but I still believe that McCain does. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/45 "2008-10-11T05:24:31Z")
My general impression of McCain is that he is basically a good human being who has been increasingly horrified by the direction of his own campaign. You can see it flash across his face whenever he’s standing next to Governor Palin. So good for him. I still can’t bring myself to forgive him for turning his back on his own beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/46 "2008-10-11T05:29:45Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I honestly don’t believe this was staged. That woman was no actress. More significantly, John McCain is no actor, and I think that wincing expression on his face and the “no no no,” was genuine. > > I think he he felt he could walk a tightrope of trying to frame this Ayers stuff as being about “judgement,” and “honesty” (albeit, on the flimsiest of premises, but McCain’s campaign is getting down to its last few outs right now) without going into full bore character assasination. I think he may be legitimately caught by surprise at the levels of irrational anger and hatred he’s been seeing. > > I think John McCain still has a soul and a conscience in there somewhere. Palin doesn’t, and a lot of the people running his campaign don’t, but I still believe that McCain does. So you think he has no idea what mad dog Palin has been up to?That she has gone mavericky on him and he can’t control her? BS. I doubt the woman was a plant BUT I am confident that McShame has seen the recent pole numbers and saw which way the wind blows. He gets no respect from me for slinging shit of the worst kind then when he sees it is not working tries to shift direction. The man is scum. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/47 "2008-10-11T05:32:29Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > My general impression of McCain is that he is basically a good human being who has been increasingly horrified by the direction of his own campaign. [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make\_believe\_maverick\_the\_real\_john\_mccain/page/1](http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1) ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/48 "2008-10-11T05:33:54Z")
I think McCain is just starting to realize that the tiger he thought he had by the tail has other ideas. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/49 "2008-10-11T05:37:05Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I think McCain is just starting to realize that the tiger he thought he had by the tail has other ideas. I think McCain is just starting to realize, that we are starting to realize, that he is the tiger… ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/50 "2008-10-11T05:37:08Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I begin to wonder, if at any point, the Secret Service decided that they needed to step in and quietly “have a chat” with the McCain campaign about how they were potentially inciting riots and encouraging threats against someone they were protecting, someone that may become President. > > I’m sure this all has to be somewhat alarming to them in looking at the long term protection scenario for President Obama. Noting that IT IS THEIR JOB to consider such scenarios for both major candidates. Don’t forget that at least _two_ nutters with guns have been picked up on suspicion of wanting to whack Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/51 "2008-10-11T05:37:11Z")
I’ve not been following the news the past week due to some personal stuff. are there any youtube links to whatever Ms Palin has been doing that some of you are talking about? ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/52 "2008-10-11T05:43:07Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > This incident today is all well and good and nice to see, but I think he needs to follow it up by putting a gag on Palin. … He could tone down his ads, too. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/53 "2008-10-11T05:55:14Z")
> [@dgrdfd](#): > > The thing that got me about the exchange is note that right after or during McCain taking the microphone back she confusingly says “No..?” Like, wait, I wasn’t supposed to say that? She genuinely didn’t get that she was a fucking idiot by saying that. > > ETA: Someone please give her a tax break to buy a brush. That was some nappy ass hair. Someone with a crappy camera found her later, and even when that nice Dana Bash lady from CNN told her Obama’s a Christian she still couldn’t [let it go.](http://the-uptake.groups.theuptake.org/en/videogalleryView/id/933/) Since she’s been spamming the neighborhood and all… And if I can’t stomp through my senior years with bleached bed-head, then just pour me in my urn right now:D ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/54 "2008-10-11T07:28:51Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Does anyone else find it odd that when a woman calls Obama an “Arab,” McCains’ response is “No, ma’am, he’s a decent family-man citzen…” > > Uh, I think it’s good that McCain is “standing up” to this nonsense, but I know Arabs who are, in fact, decent “family-men citizens” themselves. The two are not mutually exclusive. Actually, I’d read that the woman called Obama an “Arab **terrorist** ” before McCain took the mic away. If that’s true, then the follow up makes a lot more sense. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/55 "2008-10-11T08:31:43Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > Wait, you think that several people in the thread just imagined a widely reported incident from a McCain rally? You _figured_ that we had nothing better to do on a Friday night than make up a lie that would be bizarre and, quite frankly, pointless? > > In case you figure that CNN is just making shit up as well, [here’s footage from youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf6YKOkfFsE). You know, this is the SDMB. The cultrue here is that if you make a claim, you provide a cite to back it up. **levdrakon** is completely justified in asking for a cite. That said, these rallies are starting to get out of hand. Scary. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/56 "2008-10-11T08:50:42Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Does anyone else find it odd that when a woman calls Obama an “Arab,” McCains’ response is “No, ma’am, he’s a decent family-man citzen…” > > Uh, I think it’s good that McCain is “standing up” to this nonsense, but I know Arabs who are, in fact, decent “family-men citizens” themselves. The two are not mutually exclusive. I was pretty critical of his response for this reason when I saw it. It seemed to imply to me that McCain agreed with shrill harpy lady that Arab=automatically evil. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/57 "2008-10-11T08:50:59Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I think McCain is just starting to realize that the tiger he thought he had by the tail has other ideas. It always happens when leaders stir the populace/mobs into a frenzy. In the end the leaders have to keep getting more and more radical or the mobs themselves will destroy them as “traitors”. It has happened in pretty much every revolution. As Winston Churchill said “Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry.” . ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/58 "2008-10-11T09:10:23Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > You know, this is the SDMB. The cultrue here is that if you make a claim, you provide a cite to back it up. **levdrakon** is completely justified in asking for a cite. > > That said, these rallies are starting to get out of hand. Scary. “Hey, do you have a clip of that? I’d like to see it myself.” That’s not a snarky request. And I would have posted the youtube clip without comment. Instead, he copped an attitude and assumed people were just making shit up, or misrepresenting what happened. Hell, if he was really concerned about it, he could have Googled it himself. It’s all over the place. He was just being a jerk for the hell of it. No reason not to call him on that. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/59 "2008-10-11T09:16:09Z")
> [@Queen\_Bruin](#): > > I was pretty critical of his response for this reason when I saw it. It seemed to imply to me that McCain agreed with shrill harpy lady that Arab=automatically evil. Oh, c’mon; the woman said, “I don’t trust him \ he’s an Arab.” It was clearly intended as a slur, and it’s the intention to which he responded. Drawing the inference that he thinks all Arabs are evil is really reaching. Plus, he’s already being booed for suggesting that an American isn’t evil - you really think he’s going to have much luck stopping to explain that foreigners aren’t necessarily bad, m’kay? I too love the querulous “no?” she manages just before McCain whips the mike off her. That video doesn’t make comfortable viewing, though. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/60 "2008-10-11T12:05:15Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Actually, I’d read that the woman called Obama an “Arab **terrorist** ” before McCain took the mic away. > > If that’s true, then the follow up makes a lot more sense. Whether or not she voiced anything after “Arab,” she clearly wasn’t done speaking. She was shaking with nervousness and possibly anger, and she was trying to gather her thoughts to finish her sentence. You know, like Sarah Palin was in the Katie Couric interviews. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405.md?page=4)