The Mob

No wonder we are beginning to hear calls for the death of Barack Obama from the crowds at McCain-Palin rallies.

Blogger Interrupted produced this video with footage and interviews at a rally in Strongsville, OH.



There is so much disturbing material here that it is hard to know where to begin. One of the most revealing moments is with the young man who says Obama "could be" a terrorist, but cannot articulate a single reason as to why he believes this.

Arguably worse is the woman who manages to do so, responding to the question "do you think [Obama's] a terrorist?" with "He's got the bloodlines... just think about it. The name."

Yes, think about it.

To call these people low-information voters is an insult to low-information voters. They are no-information voters. They are motivated by tribal identity, ignorance, and fear. If there is a more potent formula for violence, I don't know what it is.

But make no mistake. Part of the reason these people think Obama is a terrorist is because McCain and Palin are trying to make them think Obama is a terrorist.

Just one day after his campaign claimed, falsely, that it would return to a focus on the economy, McCain made available a video news release attacking Obama over his "friendship" with Weather Underground founder William Ayers.

Barack Obama and domestic terrorist Bill Ayers. Friends. They've worked together for years.

But Obama tries to hide it. Why?

Obama launched his political career in Ayers' living room.

Ayers and Obama ran a radical "education" foundation, together.

They wrote the foundation's by-laws, together.

Obama was the foundation's first chairman.

Reports say they, "distributed more than $100 million to ideological allies with no discernible improvement in education."

When their relationship became an issue, Obama just responded, "This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood."

That's it?

We know Bill Ayers ran the "violent left wing activist group" called Weather Underground.

We know Ayers' wife was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list.

We know they bombed the Capitol. The Pentagon. A judge's home.

We know Ayers said, "I don't regret setting bombs. .... I feel we didn't do enough."

But Obama's friendship with terrorist Ayers isn't the issue.

The issue is Barack Obama's judgment and candor.

When Obama just says, "This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood."

Americans say, "Where's the truth, Barack?"

Barack Obama. Too risky for America.

This 100-second "web ad" is part of McCain's deliberate attempt to whip his supporters into a frenzy with falsehoods and guilt-by-association propaganda. McCain wants his supporters to think that Obama in league with terrorists, or is one himself.

It begins with an inflammatory lie about Obama and the "domestic terrorist" Ayers: "They've worked together for years."

It ends with "I'm John McCain, and I approve this message." That's ownership.

I don't think McCain wants any harm to come to Obama. At least I hope he doesn't. But the childlike delight he displays when the mob boos and jeers Obama proves this violent passion is exactly the reaction that he wants.

John McCain has sacrificed his honor, his dignity, and his human decency in pursuit of the presidency. All he has left is this mob, and the hope that he can ride on their shoulders into the White House.