John McCain is Shocked, Shocked by John Lewis

By Baxter

John Lewis is absolutely right.

John McCain, who during the primaries named Congressman Lewis as one of three "wise men" he'd consult should he become President, can splutter all he wants. But the behavior that's "beyond the pale" is not Mr. Lewis' — it's the McCain supporters who have yelled, "Treason!", "Terrorist!" and "Kill him!" at McCain-Palin rallies.

Senator McCain is in a box. On the one hand, months ago he declared he would run an "honorable" campaign and not engage in divisive tactics. On the other hand, now he is behind in the polls and can't seem to find any traction on the issues. So the man who said there was "a special place in hell" for the Bushies who trashed his family and reputation in 2000 now has sunk to their level himself.

You can see his ambivalence at his events. First, he makes baseless charges against Senator Obama. Then, he counsels "respect," although at the same time he tells his supporters that he doesn't want to discourage their "ferocity."

Thanks, Senator McCain, but this kind of ferocity America can live without.

Clearly, someone has taken you aside and told you that with the scurrilous campaign you're running, you're not only going to lose the election — you're going to go down in history as the Father Coughlin of 2008. But with your faux outrage at Congressman Lewis — who may know more about the consequences of hate than any living American — you have branded yourself as a weak, unprincipled jerk who will do anything to win.

And we cats SNARL at you for that.