# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Camus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba8739/32.png) [@Camus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Camus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/81 "2008-10-11T17:42:35Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > I was referring to the idea of Arab equalling terrorist. Can you show me a cite of McCain’s campaign calling Obama an Arab? > fuck, this isn’t going to work out for me, is it? Based on the post-rally interview with the woman, she said she sends out hundreds of letters a day as a volunteer on McCain’s behalf and was given a letter by a friend that contained “very bad things” about Obama. She also said that she thinks, because of his father, that Obama still has some Muslim in him. So to her, Islam is some combination of STD and congenital birth defect. I suppose to her, Muslim=Arab. And of course Arab=Muslim=terrorist. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/82 "2008-10-11T18:08:10Z")
A schoolteacher in Glouster, OH, quoted in this week’s _New Yorker_: > [@The New Yorker](#): > > “But I really just don’t trust Obama. He only says half-truths. He calls himself a Christian, but he only became one to run for office. He calls himself black, but he’s two-thirds Arab.” > > I asked her where she had learned that. > > “On the internet.” And this woman is a Democrat who will not vote for McCain either. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/83 "2008-10-11T18:24:43Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > A schoolteacher in Glouster, OH, quoted in this week’s _New Yorker_: [snip]“He calls himself black, but he’s two-thirds Arab.”[/snip] It seems to me that it would be, mathematically speaking, difficult to be two-thirds anything. ---
**Author:** ![counsel\_wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/65b543/32.png) [@counsel\_wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/counsel_wolf)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/84 "2008-10-11T18:36:45Z")
> [@The New Yorker quoting some idiot](#): > > two-thirds Arab How does that work? Half sure, even three quarters. Perhaps 666/1024 if you got really precise about 10 generations back. But 2/3? ---
**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, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/85 "2008-10-11T18:38:56Z")
> [@counsel\_wolf](#): > > 666/1024 :eek: Maybe those “Obama is the Anti-Christ” emails were right! ---
**Author:** ![BlueOhio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@BlueOhio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueOhio)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/86 "2008-10-11T18:44:52Z")
I’ve been to Glouster. That comment doesn’t surprise me. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/87 "2008-10-11T21:00:19Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > [Here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOU9xZ4zcss&feature=user) is a link to the comment and the interview with her after the rally. [According to the McCain camp](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/10/mccain.crowd/index.html), that woman was probably a Democrat > [@](#): > > When asked about these outbursts, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said that he didn’t know who those people were and if they were there as supporters or to disrupt the rallies. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/88 "2008-10-11T21:31:28Z")
> [@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. This is discussed in the other thread, but that was the moment that proved for me it wasn’t staged. He _grabbed_ the microphone back. At the very momnent the woman says “He’s an Arab” you can see his facial expression melt from “I am smiling for the sake of this stupid but supportive constituent” to “Oh, fuck, a racist; I have to stop this right now.” He was clearly pissed off, an emotion he does not hide well. He was rushing his words in an effort to disagree with the woman. I think McCain is legitimately caught off guard by the racist nastiness that’s coming up. As I’ve said before, I think this stuff might well have happened even had his campaign done absolutely nothing to encourage it. Now, to some extent I think they have. McCain was willing to do little deals with the devil to get himself elected and he deserves criticism for that. I suspect that in any scenario where a Republican candidate is losing to a black guy, this happens, but still he has to know his campaign has helped this happen. And there’s really no reason to think McCain’s himself a racist. He may well be genuinely horrified by what he’s hearing, and that’s a bad spot to be in. I don’t think George W. Bush is a racist either, but he was willing to play the same nasty little games in 2000. Politicians will do almost anything to get elected. But now suddenly Pandora’s box is open, and the look on McCain’s face when talking down the crowd was clearly “Man, what a shitstorm this is.” John McCain would be a bad President, and he’s not the super-honorable maverick his campaign makes him out to be, but shit, that’s true of most politicians. There’s no reason to believe he’s _evil,_ like Kim Jong-Il or Dick Cheney. Believe me, he does not want his own crowds booing him when he says something decent. I cannot imagine that doesn’t bother him. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/89 "2008-10-11T21:42:19Z")
Okay, for everybody who doubted that this represented a true change of heart on McCain’s part, here’s an official statement released **today** , in his own name. If you cynics are right, he’ll try to defend the his campaign’s earlier character attacks. But if the more optimistic of us are right, he’ll encourage his supporters to show respect and moderation toward their opponents: > [@](#): > > For Immediate Release > October 11, 2008 Contact: Press Office > > Statement By John McCain > > ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement: > > "Congressman John Lewis’ comments represent a character attack against Governor Sarah Palin and me that is shocking and beyond the pale. The notion that legitimate criticism of Senator Obama’s record and positions could be compared to Governor George Wallace, his segregationist policies and the violence he provoked is unacceptable and has no place in this campaign. I am saddened that John Lewis, a man I’ve always admired, would make such a brazen and baseless attack on my character and the character of the thousands of hardworking Americans who come to our events to cheer for the kind of reform that will put America on the right track. > > “I call on Senator Obama to immediately and personally repudiate these outrageous and divisive comments that are so clearly designed to shut down debate 24 days before the election. Our country must return to the important debate about the path forward for America.” Oh. Well. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/90 "2008-10-11T21:56:14Z")
And the very quick Obama camp response; [QUOTE= Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton] “Sen. Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies,” Burton said. "But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for president of the United States ‘pals around with terrorists.’ " [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/91 "2008-10-11T22:01:24Z")
> [@counsel\_wolf](#): > > How does that work? Half sure, even three quarters. Perhaps 666/1024 if you got really precise about 10 generations back. But 2/3? I wondered that myself. But there is such a thing as ancestral collapse; it was one of the Master’s columns. Not all of those 1024 ancestors will necessarily be _unique_ individuals; Father #192 might be the same person as Father #506 and Father #507. You might have, in the distant past, inherited multiple times from the same person. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/92 "2008-10-11T22:08:46Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > Not all of those 1024 ancestors will necessarily be _unique_ individuals; Father #192 might be the same person as Father #506 and Father #507. You might have, in the distant past, inherited multiple times from the same person. Wait, so he’s an _incestuous_ Arab Muslim terrorist? My god, that’s even _worse_! ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/93 "2008-10-11T22:23:35Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > Wait, so he’s an _incestuous_ Arab Muslim terrorist? My god, that’s even _worse_! Don’t let Palin see this thread, for god’s sake… ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/94 "2008-10-11T22:24:47Z")
> [@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. Good point. It would’ve been better if something like “He’s a Christian”.\* \*_Yes I know “Arab” is an ethnicity, not a religion; there are plenty of Arab Christians, but it’s pretty clear that for many people (including that woman) it’s just another word for Muslim_. ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/95 "2008-10-11T22:55:37Z")
[QUOTE=TWDuke] Okay, for everybody who doubted that this represented a true change of heart on McCain’s part, here’s an official statement released **today** , in his own name. If you cynics are right, he’ll try to defend the his campaign’s earlier character attacks. But if the more optimistic of us are right, he’ll encourage his supporters to show respect and moderation toward their opponents: Oh. Well. [/QUOTE] Well _damn_. McCain and Palin are actually victims of the vicious, slandering Obama camp. I’ve been repulsed by the hate-rallies with frenzied Obama supporters shouting, “Off the geriatric cracker muthafucka!” and “Lyin’ ho!” Oh wait. Hasn’t happened. Obama has run a scrupulously clean campaign, and maintained it with an iron hand. So much for optimism. No tactic too scummy, no lie too vile. The GOP will need haz-mat gear to disinfect their big tent after this crapfest. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/96 "2008-10-11T23:17:26Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > Don’t let Palin see this thread, for god’s sake… I’m going to go out on a giant limb and speculate that she doesn’t spend a large portion of her time here, or anywhere else where there are quite so many _words_ written down. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/97 "2008-10-11T23:18:10Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > He’s also getting feedback from downticket Republicans who are suffering because of this bullshit. Norm Coleman didn’t want to appear with him, and made a statement about the tenor of the campaign. Whoa, do you have a cite? Not that I don’t believe you-I’m just interested in reading it for myself now! > [@Chefguy](#): > > These would be my guesses, as well, but I would go with the first one. Should a supporter decide to take matters into his own hands, McCain’s name would be all over the attempt. Yep. Right now, forget McCain-the ones I feel sorry for are the Secret Service. Can you IMAGINE the shit they’re dealing with right now? Ugh. I hope they’re giving Johnny Boy and Sally Ice-Stick pure fucking HELL right now. > [@](#): > > As for providing a cite so that I wouldn’t be called a liar by the likes of **levdrakon** , I guess I forgot that some people here actually watch FOX rather than real news. Apparently his keyboard shorted out from the drool and he was unable to check on it himself, poor baby. Perhaps he’s better suited to Free Republic. Oh, and did anyone else catch Ms. Quinnell’s comment on YouTube about the young girls who asked for a copy of her letter and then when they read it were shaking their heads? I’m wondering if they were actually thinking, “Damn, this woman’s a nutcase, someone needs to send her to Snopes, STAT!” ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/98 "2008-10-11T23:20:52Z")
> [@shantih](#): > > I’m going to go out on a giant limb and speculate that she doesn’t spend a large portion of her time here, or anywhere else where there are quite so many _words_ written down. Someone should ask her which websites she reads. We might get lucky! ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/99 "2008-10-11T23:22:50Z")
> [@shantih](#): > > I’m going to go out on a giant limb and speculate that she doesn’t spend a large portion of her time here, or anywhere else where there are quite so many _words_ written down. Of course she does–she’s too busy reading ALL the magazines and newspapers out there. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405/100 "2008-10-11T23:54:19Z")
> [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](#): > > You originally stated: > > Indicating to me that you thought McCain was responding to the terrorist part. The McCain camp did associate Obama with terrorists. I believe they did put that thought in her head (watch the above linked interview with her - it’s pretty clear). > > [Palin accused Obama of “palling around with terrorists”.](http://thepage.time.com/2008/10/04/palin-obama-palling-around-with-terrorists/) > I’m at work now so my linking ability is limited. There’s a difference between “This man has poor judgement: he associates himself and allows himself to be influenced by terrorists.” and “This guy straps a suicide bomber vest on for size in the evening while chanting prayers of Jihad against American servicement.” The former is a position of McCain’s campaign. If you think they’re overblowing his connection with the Weather Underground fellow, that’s fine, but it still seems to be within the bounds (bounds?!) of American campaign tactics. The latter statement is the mindset of the people like the woman in the video… and a disturbing number of McCain’s supporters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-finally-draws-a-line-on-slander/467405.md?page=6)