(Mein Post von vorgestern ist von Ron Argentati ins Englische übersetzt worden. Thanks, Ron.)
11 October 2008
John McCain played this disastrous game for too long a time and now he’s forced to confront his own supporters. That’s the honorable thing to do and it befits his maverick image.
Germany – Die Zeit – Original Article (German)
After almost daily attacks on Barack Obama, mainly by Sarah Palin, John McCain has slammed on the brakes. On Friday, he said in a townhall meeting with supporters that Barack Obama was “a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States.”
With that, John McCain gave proof of his own decency. After the attacks of recent days when Obama was accused of “palling around” with terrorists, people were beginning to wonder about McCain.
This nasty attack style, introduced by McCain’s new campaign manager, Steve Schmidt, didn’t exactly arrive at an opportune moment. But McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin, had no reservations right from the beginning about running a dirty campaign. The terrorism attacks came from her.
John McCain has now taken over control of his campaign. He wants to win (or, more correctly, lose) on his own ideas and character, a decision that does him honor.
At Republican campaign events recently, more and more of McCain’s hate-filled supporters were becoming vocal. At the mention of Obama’s name, many yelled “terrorist” and even “kill him.”
At one townhall meeting, a woman said “I don’t trust Obama. I’ve read about him. He’s an Arab.” McCain had to go against the crowd: “No, ma’am,” McCain said several times, shaking his head in disagreement. “He’s a decent, family man, [a] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that’s what this campaign is all about.”
John McCain played this disastrous game for too long a time and now he’s forced to confront his own supporters. That’s the honorable thing to do and it befits his maverick image.
But it also means the Republicans are finished as far as this election is concerned.