Rep. John Lewis Compares McCain To George Wallace
The controversy surrounding John McCain's rallies took another turn today, with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), a veteran organizer of the civil rights movement, releasing a statement condemning the McCain campaign and even comparing the Republican nominee to George Wallace.
"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 only desired to exercise their constitutional rights," Lewis said. "Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed one Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama."
McCain quickly fired back with his own statement, defending his audiences and calling upon Barack Obama to repudiate Lewis: "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."
The Obama campaign then seemed to agree in part with Lewis, backing away from the George Wallace comparison but standing by him on almost everything else: "Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies. 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.'"
Check out the full statements, after the jump.
The Lewis statement:
Rep. John Lewis Responds To Increasing Hostility Of McCain-Palin Campaign10/11/2008
"As one who was a victim of violence and hate during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I am deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign. What I am seeing today reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse."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 only desired to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed one Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.
"As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Governor 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."
The McCain statement:
October 11, 2008Statement 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."
The Obama campaign's statement:
"Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies. 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.' As Barack Obama has said himself, the last thing we need from either party is the kind of angry, divisive rhetoric that tears us apart at a time of crisis when we desperately need to come together. That is the kind of campaign Senator Obama will continue to run in the weeks ahead," said Obama-Biden spokesman Bill Burton.
I hope this doesn't increase any tension. That's all I can say about it. I'd like to see a general stand-down now.
Please.
October 11, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. I like his comments and I think they bring up a great point, but with the race dialogue in America (or lack thereof) people just filter it so all they hear is McCain=Wallace. It could increase tension. I can't see this being a big deal, though.
October 11, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Rep. Lewis is absolutely right, but the tone is not as helpful.
But when you're John Lewis, I can cut slack. He knows what this sounds like. And after his own experiences--many of them violent--this sudden gasoline-pour-on-the-flames of this noxious pair likely has him concerned.
I honestly think he feels like he's seen this movie before, and it's probably sickening and terrifying for him. Frankly, I haven't talked to my own parents about until today, when my Mom brought it up. I was hoping they hadn't heard about it...can you believe it? Wasn't growing up with this shit enough?
((Sigh)) I just hope everyone takes a deep breath before acting, but I can tell you that I absolutely detest McCain and Palin. No morals. No character. No honor. They have GOT to be the most morally depraved scum ever.
October 11, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with you. It just seems like something we should call out,though, because I do kinda agree with Lewis. I remember when McCain first starting going there and I heard the first "terrorist" from his audience members. I was certain that they wanted to stoke up violence so that maybe people would get targeted at the polls or such. I do think Obama and the Dems are handling this in the best way possible, however.
October 11, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin stood smiling in front of huge, energized crowds and told them that it was not only okay but patriotic to release their inner bigot and racist.
And McCain either directed these activities or was aware of them and did nothing for days. He condoned these statements when he thought they would benefit him personally, and only after seeing the polls drop further and the pundits scold his campaign did he attempt to change course and try to take the high road.
This country needs to come together on November 5th. We've had eight years of a disgracefully divisive administration, and McCain/Palin seem to want it to continue if they don't emerge the victors.
Shame on both of them!
PEACE
October 12, 2008 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Our political leaders set the tone for the nation. For eight years, the tone has been fear and hatred and lawlessness.
Good for Rep. Lewis making it clear that the choice Nov. 4 is not just about polities, but about the tone the new president will set for the nation.
McCain: more fear and hatred and lawlessness, PLUS racism.
Obama: calm competence, mutual respect, hope.
October 12, 2008 7:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow! Totally forgot about this little exchange from the Saddleback forum, but it bears remembering in light of these statements:
WARREN: This first question deals with leadership and the personal life of leadership. First question, who were the three wisest people that you know that you would rely on heavily in an administration?
MCCAIN: [...] I think John Lewis. John Lewis was at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Had his skull fractured. Continues to serve. Continues to have the most optimistic outlook about America. He can teach us all a lot about the meaning of courage and commitment to causes greater than ourself...
(H/T to crookand liars.com)
PEACE
October 12, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama handled it perfectly correctly.
Distanced himself from the most controversial analogy - but stood behind the gist of the argument - an argument that is perfectly correct and on target.
October 11, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Obama's statement was pitch perfect. He, in essence, is saying "even McCain knows his supporters have gone too far." By condeming the things said at McCain rallies, he's challenging McCain to cut it out. McCain knows he has to do that.
But I don't buy this crap about McCain being conflicted or regretting sending Caribou Barbie to incite hate about Obama. He's trying to walk it back because it's backfiring. He's a worm. An old, decrepit worm.
October 11, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Second'd! The balance in the response is just right.
October 11, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, this is just typical of the Obama campaign in the last month or so. They've been almost anticipating all the wackiness and been a step ahead with a mature, thoughtful response from the higher ground.
You know... whoever he's got advising him on his timing and which moves to make... I really hope they're involved in the presidency itself.
October 12, 2008 7:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain walked into a trap that he has set for himself... That's what you get when you take the advice of of Sean Hannity
October 11, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a lifelong resident of Alabama, as someone who all my life listened to the story of George Wallace saying he would never be "out seg'ed" again, I am all too familiar with the racist codewords. McCain knows that the GOPer base (after months of viral emails) was like dry tinders. So he sends in "Napalm Palin" to say she's "fearful" of Obama and that he's "not like you and me". And then McCain has the gall to stand back and act shocked that his campaign stops have turned into Klan rallies.
October 11, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe the term he used was "outniggered". Wallace started out as a progressive of sorts. He died one too.
October 11, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wallace was a political whore. In an interview early in his career, he admitted that he could have gone either way on the racial issue, but discovered that, by running as a racist, he could acquire the governorship with less effort. Water flows to the lowest level.
October 11, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
"George Wallace is one of the worst charlatans in politics, but there is no denying his talent for converting frustration into energy. What McGovern sensed in Florida, however - while Wallace was stomping him, along with all the others - was the possibility that Wallace appealed instinctively to a lot more people than would actually vote for him. He was stirring up more anger than he knew how to channel. The frustration was there, and it was easy enought to convert it - but what then?"
- Hunter Thompson, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72
October 12, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lewis is right about the danger here. Wallace didn't have to personal throw a bomb. But his hateful message encouraged those that did.
One thing is clear: McCain & Palin are playing with fire. Essentailly calling their opponent a TERRORIST. This is dangerous to democracy, and unprecedented.
October 11, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Frank Rich had a good column today that said just about that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/opinion/12rich.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
October 11, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
You beat me!
October 11, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
That doesn't happen often - I"m usually too lazy to pull links.
LOL
October 11, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
George Wallace, Jr. speaks before McCain's Iowa rally today in the form of a prayer (Source AP):
Unhelpful for establishing the tone McCain sought in Davenport was the Rev. Arnold Conrad, past pastor of the Grace Evangelical Free Church. His prayer before McCain arrived at the convention center blocks from the Mississippi River appeared to dismiss faiths other than Christianity and cast the election as a referendum on God himself.
"I would also pray, Lord, that your reputation is involved in all that happens between now and November, because there are millions of people around this world praying to their god - whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah - that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons," Conrad said.
"And Lord, I pray that you would guard your own reputation, because they're going to think that their god is bigger than you, if that happens. So I pray that you will step forward and honor your own name with all that happens between now and Election Day," he said.
October 11, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is just asking Christian God to stand up for himself, so he doesn't get his nose bloodied by a bigger, meaner god!
October 11, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right. This people are crazy: They are imagining the various Gods out there fighting each other. But if they pray harder than others, their God will win.
They are crazy!
October 11, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only by the standards of post-Enlightment civilization. This kind of thinking has been the norm throughout most of recorded history. Our gods are stronger than your gods so we win this war (or, alternately, since we won, that means our gods were stronger). Indeed, that's the majority of the Old Testament, right there in a nutshell. Not to mention the Illiad (an intermural squabble among the Olympian Gods), the Hundred Years War (is God a Catholic or a Protestant?), the Crusades, and every clash of civilizations from the Bronze Age to the Gunpowder Age. (The Romans used to cheat--they'd often pray to the local gods rather than their own if they were making war in someone else's country.)
Fortunately, we civilized secular modernists stopped killing each other in the name of our gods and, instead, started killing each other in the name of ideology. These foolish people are regressing.
October 12, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Shorter Rev. Conrad: Gott Mit Uns
October 11, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rich's column addresses the incitement of lunatics too:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/opinion/12rich.html?hp
And Wapo has a column as well:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/10/AR2008101002456.html?nav=hcmodule
October 11, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Hosseini (WaPo) article probably sums up why McCain has alienated nearly all immigrants and minorities by now:
"Obama's middle name differs from my last name by only two vowels. Does the McCain-Palin campaign view me as a pariah too? Do McCain and Palin think there's something wrong with my name?"
I thought that was pretty poignant.
A lot of people now know the Republican Party isn't a party in which we're welcome. If you're educated, an immigrant, a minority, an athiest, a Hindu, a Moslem, a Jew, it's not the party for you.
October 11, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Obama response again hits the right tone -- (1) it distances Obama from the Wallace comparison; (2) condems the "kill him" rhetoric of the crowds and reminds everyone that McCain has degenerate racists as supporters; and (3) needles the McCain camp for bringing it all themselves w/ the absurd "palling around with terrorists" line. Well played, imo. I would have been pissed if they dogged John Lewis to hard for this. BTW, the demand for a condemnation is yet another attempt by the McCain campaign to get race/culture into the mix in this election. They simply aren't playing in the same league as Obama, though.
October 11, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
This was a big mistake by John Lewis. He should let Obama/Biden handle their own campaign. The Right Wing is lusting after any excuse to turn the rest of the campaign into a black versus white contest. Lewis just handed them the key. Obama knows that, and he rejected what John Lewis said, fairly rapidly, but that will not stop the FUX network from running with it.
October 11, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Liam - do we really care what Faux runs? I thought we had that settled - they're going talk shit regardless - let em talk shit.
It seems that everyone knows what they are.
October 11, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tactics Tena, never hand your opponent what they are desperatly seeking. Think back to when Obama had just returned from Germany, and he was using the line about not looking like all the others on the money. McCain made great use of that, and gained with it. Obama can only win if he is seen as more than the candidate of Black Americans.
That is why, while what John Lewis said was correct, he should not have said it now, particularly after we had McCain on the run, and having to back down and suppress the rabble that he had roused.
Now Lewis, has given him a get out of jail free card.
A big blunder.
October 11, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're misapprehending the extent to which the terrain has shifted in recent months. It simply no longer matters what the right wing media says. No one except the true believers are listening to them anymore. They no longer have any impact on the general discourse. They may even be less relevant than the tabloids at this point.
October 12, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mmmm...I disagree. Lewis' statement forces the discussion in the media to the Right. Up to now, there's been a narrative out there that portrays McCain as a hero, stepping in to put out fires that he had no part in setting. Lewis pointing out that McCain and Palin very deliberately stoked these fires and are continuing to do so. Harsh? Yeah. But true. Now, Obama can come in and say something more moderate and palatable and let the truth just float.
October 11, 2008 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forces the conversation to the Left...
October 11, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
It does - and that is a good thing. It's really getting pulled back that way.
October 11, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I sorry, John Lewis is not Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson. It would be a very bad mistake for FOX news to try to tar John Lewis as a being a racist radical like they like to tar Sharpton and Jackson and every other AA pol as.
Of all of them, John Lewis has damn well earned to right to call out McCain for what he knows could happen when people are incited to violence. He bears the scars. I know to some his scars aren't the same as McCain's, but he earned them honorably.
BTW, I'd go back and read Obama's statement, Obama did not reject Lewis' statement, just the comparison to Wallace. Besides, I respect Obama for not "repudiating" Lewis's statement. Lewis damn sure deserves more of Obama's respect than McCain wounded ego.
October 11, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nonsense, Liam. Lewis has the same right as you or I to express his concerns. Besides, I'd not be surprised if he did so with Obama's consent. It gave him a chance to be even-handed and -- please, God -- Presidential
October 11, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
This will make it more difficult to play the Wright card, which was coming to the top of the deck.
October 11, 2008 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point -- a preemptive move.
October 11, 2008 11:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. The Obama camp knows Wright is on deck. This will necessarily color that.
Obama: I don't think Sen. McCain is going down that road. (Do you really want to prove me wrong, John?)
October 11, 2008 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lewis's statement would've been a mistake a month ago. But McCain/Palin have gone so far over the edge that even other Republican leaders are speaking out against them now.
Lewis gives ammunition to the race baiters but only extremists are listening to them now, and they'll never vote for Obama anyway.
(I hesitated about using the word 'ammunition, but let's be honest. It's only a matter of time until some nut case starts shooting or bombing black people or Muslims.)
October 12, 2008 8:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love Obama's response.
I would hope that all this means a resurgence of decency in our political discourse. I would hope that now that it's gone this far, it will finally turn our discourse away from people like Rush, Coulter, Hannity, Malkin - the hatemongers. That our mainstream pundits will finally say about thos people that it's not acceptable any more.
They've spewing hate for years. Enough.
October 11, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the best part of the response is how it links what's wrong with Lewis' comparison to Palin's own comments, putting them both on the same level. Master stroke, picking exactly the right timing and method for actually showing just how ridiculous that claim is.
October 12, 2008 7:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
OT: Philly boos Sarah Palin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd4wQd_gbj8
Hilarious. Philly hates you lady. You're going to get CRUSHED in Philly.
October 11, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ever since Senator Obama's brilliant convention speech -- one that even Pat Buchanan praised -- Senator McCain has been on the defensive. Recognizing that he could not longer win by running an honest campaign, he hoped to revive his campaign by gimmickry (e.g., Palin, suspended campaign, etc.) Now that these tactics have failed, he's putting everything into the race card, which also appears to be failing. So what's next?
October 11, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's time for editorials in all newspapers to call mcShame on his incendiary rallies.
October 11, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
liam we really do not give a fuck whut the GOP's think and they don't got no keys to shit also the hannitys and limbaughs gonna wanna bring this shit up about how rev.wright and hon louis farakhan they not runnin for president!!!nuff respect to Rep.John Lewis for speakin tha truth!!!!
October 11, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Neither do I, but I do care about not letting them off the hook that we had them on for the economy, and having McCain having to suppress the rabble that he roused. We had them sacked, and it is always stupid to jump on the pile after the whistle has blown. You lose fifteen yards.
I care about the Independents who always decide elections. It is now going to get very ugly. Mark my words.
October 11, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see your point, and I agree that talking about race is generally not good for Obama but I don't see how this turns the dialogue against Obama. First, I doubt a lot of those independents like what has been happening at McCain's rallies. Second, Obama at least appears to distance himself from the problematic aspects of the statement. While it probably would have been better for Lewis to coordinate with the campaign before speaking, I don't see how this gives the McCain campaign cards that it wants to play.
October 11, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
i see your point but i have to disagree for a couple of reasons. john lewis is exactly the right messenger for this, the previously forming media narrative will break in his direction because any halfway respectable journalist knows lewis' story, they know he has seen firsthand the kind of hatred that most people can only imagine, they know he doesn't say this sort of thing lightly. to many of them if someone like john lewis is fearful of where this is going, then it really is all too real. it also helps that nobody in the obama camp has directly raised this issue, the semi veiled concern has been coming from almost every single direction other than them, obama has merely taken the "if you're gonna say it, say it to my face" stance, one which any average joe can relate to. trying to paint lewis as a radical black politician who sees racism everywhere simply doesn't work, he's far too respected by people both black and white; and if mccain wants riots in the streets, going after john lewis is one of the quickest ways to get there, then he'd really have created a bigger fire than he can handle. people are already losing respect for mccain at a quick rate, he doesn't want to accelerate that process any more than it already has been. the only way for him to "win" off of this would be to drop any pretenses about not making the election about race, he'd have to explicitly refer to obama's race & no journalist is going to support him & palin down the road to a full fledged race war.
October 12, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Obama Camp also sent the following with their response posted by Eric above -
So wingnuts spouting off about Rep. Lewis without mentioning any on the list Obama sent out obviously have an agenda to push. If they quote Obama's response, it means they got the list of Republican and independent sources commenting in pretty much the same light and tenor as Lewis did.
McCain is trying to make this an issue to bury Troopergate. I would have liked Obama to point out that Lewis doesn't have any role, official or unofficial, in his campaign and furthermore Lewis was one of the "three wisemen" McCain named when asked at the Saddleback forum to name three people who's advice you'd look to as President.
October 11, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
John Sweeney from the AFL-CIO also made a formal statement that berates McCain/Palin for their dangerous vitriol.
October 11, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink