Disgraceful attacks on Barack Hussein Obama
Referee whistle: against Talk Radio, Personal Foul - Roughing the Passer, 15 yards
On Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 talk radio host Bill Cunningham spoke at a John McCain rally. Cunningham made an inflammatory attack on Barack Obama, and John McCain condemned these comments. Here is a link to the basic story: McCain condemns remarks on Obama.
John McCain deserves credit for distancing himself from Cunningham.
The bigger story:
Bill Cunningham is not alone. For several months, the right-wing attack machine has been laying the groundwork for a disgraceful “big lie” campaign against Barack Obama. The strategy is to portray Obama as not being “American enough”. Within this strategy are tactics such as pointing out that Obama’s name doesn’t sound like a “regular” American name.
These references eloquently express, explain, and condemn this attack framework:
Chicago Tribune article with good links and video
Analysis from The Conservative Voice
Analysis from Informed Comment
ElectionReferee.com exists largely to criticize this type of attack. We do not have the resources to respond to every “foul” in election campaigns. We are primarily looking for the big ones. We will address as many as possible and always try to be as objective as possible.
This anti-Obama attack strategy is potentially big. The recent Cunningham instance focused attention on these tactics, which have been on multiple radio shows for months. It is a shameful attempt to lead the most gullible down an anti-Obama rat hole of prejudice, bigotry, and xenophobia.
The mainstream media have exposed and condemned this Cunningham instance. Hopefully, this line of attack has been sufficiently refuted and the electorate can focus on real issues.
Since this Cunningham incident, some in talk radio are playing a childish passive-aggressive game of “oh, now we’re not allowed to say Obama’s full name”. Being called once on a foul does not immunize you from future whistles. On the contrary, referees watch for a pattern of infractions.
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Comment by Carol Shipley
Posted on February 29, 2008 at 9:37 am
Once he is the Democratic nominee, it’s going to get s0 ugly that this will seem like a nothing. “They” are probably being coached by Lee Atwater up in the big blue. This presumes Hillary is out.
- I wouldn’t count her out though, this thing is turning into a “movie of the week” and you will have your work cut out for you. The Republicans have their guy and nothing to do but to plan their dirty tricks for after the conventions.