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If people agree with John Lewis' comparison though, then McCain looks even farther out of touch by condemning his remarks and asking for a repudiation.


Story Highlights

Rep. John Lewis compares recent McCain rallies to segregationist ex-governor

Lewis: George Wallace "created the climate ... that encouraged vicious attacks"

McCain: Rep. Lewis' comments are "shocking and beyond the pale"

McCain now calls on the Obama campaign to repudiate the remarks


http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/11/mccain.lewis/index.html

This is from the Post...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/11/john_lewis_condemns_gop_campai.html?hpid=topnews

"The veteran Democrat even invoked one of the most divisive figures in recent U.S. history. "During another period, in the not too distant past, there was a governor of the state of Alabama named George Wallace who also became a presidential candidate. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama," said Lewis.

He warned, "As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all. They are playing a very dangerous game that disregards the value of the political process and cheapens our entire democracy. We can do better. The American people deserve better."

McCain hit back hard with this 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 think McCain is making himself vulnerable by not more strongly acknowledging and opposing the bizarre behavior that is developing at his rallies.

At McCain and Palin rallies one hears "Kill Obama" and "No N***** in the White House" but they do nothing to repudiate it. So when called to account, McCain calls it a "character attack."

Well, DUH!!! It IS a character attack. On the most divisive and hate-filled candidates in modern American Presidential politics.

So get over it, McCain. You made your racist bed, now lie in it.

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Caslon7000 saidThis is from the Post...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/11/john_lewis_condemns_gop_campai.html?hpid=topnews

"The veteran Democrat even invoked one of the most divisive figures in recent U.S. history. "During another period, in the not too distant past, there was a governor of the state of Alabama named George Wallace who also became a presidential candidate. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama," said Lewis.

He warned, "As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all. They are playing a very dangerous game that disregards the value of the political process and cheapens our entire democracy. We can do better. The American people deserve better."

McCain hit back hard with this 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 think McCain is making himself vulnerable by not more strongly acknowledging and opposing the bizarre behavior that is developing at his rallies.

well there is a LOT of money to be made ( ala Bush and Company) so McCain wants on the gravy train that the last 8 years of crooks has gotten their hands on, so McCain is willing to try just about anything to get in on it too...even if it is VERY dangerous and can do great social harm. It's all about the money.

My Dad was a George Wallace man back in 1968. I was more concerned with earning my Tenderfoot Badge with the Boy Scouts.

John McCain is nothing like George Wallace. I think anyone trying to compare the two is just trying to play the race card, again. Only an idiot would take it seriously.

I think it shows some real insecurity on the part of the Congressman. Barack Obama is going to lose this election.