October 6, 2008
Posted: 05:13 PM ET

From
Palin held a rally in Florida Monday.
Palin held a rally in Florida Monday.

(CNN) — Some supporters of the Republican ticket stole a share of the spotlight at Monday campaign rallies with controversial attacks aimed at Barack Obama.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, John McCain pushed his campaign’s most recent line of attack against Obama: that the Democratic nominee represents a relatively unknown risk. “All people want to know is: What has this man ever actually accomplished in government? What does he plan for America? In short: Who is the real Barack Obama?” Someone in the crowd responded by yelling: “Terrorist!” The crowd roared, and McCain seemed startled, but it is unclear whether he actually heard what the man shouted. He did not respond to the attack.

And before GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin entered a campaign rally in Estero, Florida, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott took aim at “Barack Hussein Obama.”

“On November 4, let’s leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened,” he said. As the crowd cheered, he gave a forceful salute.

The McCain-Palin campaign immediately distanced itself from Scott’s remark. “We do not condone this inappropriate rhetoric, which distracts from the real questions of judgment, character and experience that voters will base their decisions on this November,” said campaign spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt.

In March, McCain rebuked conservative radio talk show host Bill Cunningham for repeatedly referring to the Illinois senator as “Barack Hussein Obama” while warming up the crowd at a campaign event in Cincinnati, before the Arizona senator took the stage.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Speider   October 6th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

Attendee at McCain rally calls Obama a 'terrorist'
…and then declared himself a teapot, short and stout!

We give $700 billion to bail out the people who took $16 billion in bonuses, $7 billion to a state that is mismanaged, $25 billion to keep Chrysler afloat while their CEO collects millions for driving the company further into the ground and this man has the nerve to point the finger and call Obama a Terrorist? Seems to me that more terror and damage has been done to this nation by those in office with republican ideals.

Kurt   October 6th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

Mr. McCain, have you ever heard the expression,

"When you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas".

npiper   October 6th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

This and Mr. McCain's recent tactics are why we need someone who is actually DIFFERENT and a true change in Washington. McCain does not get this. Change means change. Barack Obama is truly a different type of politician, person and man with a vision. THIS IS GOOD!

Fleas   October 6th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Obama - the end of America as we once knew it. Ought to be running in Africa.

Smart Repubs for O   October 6th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Rednecks will fall for ANYTHING! Especially if it's in an email forward.

These are the people who think being smart is being "elitist". Leave it to the Republicans to attack intellegence as a "bad" thing.

Brian   October 6th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Did you hear that? The sound of the Republicans hitting rock bottom. It is so sweet yet so sad. To try to scare the white Americans with this propaganda is both amusing and pathetic. Mostly however, it is racist, and that makes me sick. If Obama does not win maybe I will support my state of Vermont succeed from the Union.

Sandra from Atlanta   October 6th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

McCain and Palin have opened up this can of worms by their unethical attacks on Barack Obama. Why should he be surprised that some crazies take it a step further by calling Obama a terrorist? Heaven help us all if anything should physically happen to Obama because of this sleazy rhetoric. McCain and Palin need to realize that their are some real crazies out there. I'm not sure the American people would ever forgive or forget.

All I can say is I have no idea of where the person I thought McCain was - honorable and truthful - went. He's sure not that person now.

Candia   October 6th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Why can't the McCain campaign distinguish between a political opponent and an enemy? They're just stoking the dangerous fire of division and mistrust, instead of sharing a legitimate difference of opinion in the course of a democratic process.

EV   October 6th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

What disturbs me about the Republicans isn't necessarily what they believe, it is the lengths at which they will go to discredit and smear those who do not agree with them. Look at the way McCain refused to look in the direction of Obama during the first debate. I got the impression that McCain hates him and thinks that he is less than human. This isn't what
America is about.

Susie oklahoma   October 6th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

he looked "startled"..HMMM, I'm sure he heard, he's defaming a great man for what?? OHH yeah, so HE can be President. God forbid that McCain wins because racism, downtrodden economy, wealthy getting more wealthy and the poor getting more poor ,etc will be what Americans will look forward to.

LT   October 6th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

McCain and Palin are imploding. Let them just keep it up…they are sealing their fate. Another thought, I wonder what Condalezza Rice thinks about all of this. What could a moron like Palin speak about with Rice? Ah yes….do you people eat moose steak?

Centrist Independent for Obama

Beaz in NC   October 6th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

If North Carolina goes Obama, I'm moving!

Lesley   October 6th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

If Palin and McCain keep this up and someone takes a shot at Obama, there will be no where for them to hide. They will be directly responsible for it because they are loading the gun with their desperate attempts to win this election. This is truly disgraceful and has gone beyond negative campaigning. It is dangerous campaigning and they will be responsible for a potentially deadly outcome.

mitch   October 6th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

these people are sick. they lose the war on bin laden then call barack a terrorist? THEY AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE THE TERRORISTS! THEY LET OSAMA WIN BY TANKING OUR ECONOMY ON AN ILLEGAL WAR IN IRAQ!, WHILE OSAMA ROAMS FREE. BARACK OBAMA WILL FOLLOW HIM TO THE CAVE WHERE HE LIVES!

JayT.   October 6th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

What's McCain's economic plan? Do we need any more proof that he doesn't have one?

Voter   October 6th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

Republicans - very partisan indeed…

Sean   October 6th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

That follower is one view of a larger problem. Palin makes "comments" about Obama's "terrorist" ties, and then all of a sudden you have this? Just coincidence? I think not… People are impressionable, and Palin and McCain are acting irresponsibly.

Jared   October 6th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

Awesome! The real republicans are showing their stuff: Hatred, intolerance, bigotry, racism. So much for their moral superiority!!!

I love it…The more they use these attacks, the more the American people speak out against them. The ship is sinking for the Republican party, and its Captain is going down with it.

Greg   October 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

Its obvious the Americam people are ignorant. When the democrats won the 2006 congressional races the dow jones was at about 12150 and now not even two years later it is under 10000. The bailout was a quick farse to take the spotlight off the true cause of the Wall Street collapse which was the democratically run house banking committee and Franklin Raines debacle as the CEO of Fannie Mae. But lets continue to be ignorant in the name of change and blame it on GW Bush. Its amazing that no one has even asked how did this happen? But then again, if its not in the best interest fo the democrats then lets just sweep it under the rug, and who cares how much it cos the American taxpayer.

Anita from Arizona   October 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

You have no proof of any relationship between Obama and Ayers… NONE.

BUT we have plenty proof of the relationship between McCain and Keating. It is true McCain delayed regulators in the banking industry in the 80s through Senate legislation which allowed Keating to steal money and costs tax payers around a trillion dollars in bailout money to banks. McCain totally abused his political power in that regard. The McCain camp is making a HUGE mistake with the personal and false attacks on Obama. Especially with the KEATING 5 fixed completely to McCain's judgment.

Smart Repubs for O   October 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

Well, just goes to show you the rednecks are bringing this country down. Call me an "elitist", but I'm not going with them.

Anyone who thinks Palin is just being "folksy" and "talking to you"….newsflash: she's talking DOWN to you. I come from middle America, and sorry, Sarah, we speak proper English.

Thanks, but no thanks, McCain!

Big T   October 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

this really scares me that McCain is going to scare these people so bad that one of them might do something stupid. it really really scares me and i hope one of you of faith starts praying for Obama.

Obama/Biden 08

steve   October 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

this in an outrage, if this is all that MCcain has to offer the american people then i dont want nothing to do with it he has just lost my vote.

HP   October 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

Be carefull PeIin/Mcsame you are playing with fire. No firefighter will be able rescue you.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08 AT 9PM ET

Billy   October 6th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

Disgusting and frightening.

McCain and Palin need to stop this hate for the good of the country.

I fear, some wacko-right winger is going to do something terrible if they don't.

Patti   October 6th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

I can't believe McCain distanced them self from the Sheriff's remarks isn't that what they have been calling him all weekend.

I hope the debate tomorrow night is about issues. That is what America wants to hear about not all the mudsling. Hopefully someone in the McCain camp will finally realize that is what the voters are worried about.

ready   October 6th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

i heard sarah palin had an affair with her husband business partner

Deb, IN   October 6th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

The truth HURTS!!!!
Barak Obama is bad for AMERICA!!!
Vote a 3rd party!!!

Brett   October 6th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

This is obviously an Obama support site. Go McCain!

Frank   October 6th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

The stench of desperation hangs thick where ever McCain goes.

Fear and hatred are not going to prevail this time. Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us.

Try to fool us a third time, you get tossed into the dustbin of history.

Bye-bye, John.

LEST   October 6th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

No need to worry about the skepticism of the right wing. Those fouls should be ashamed of themselves. Not this time. Not in this election. We, the AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH THOSE DECEITFUL TACTICS. SHAME ON YOU MACSAME….

McHoover Would Destroy What's Left of America   October 6th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

I thought the Republicans were the moral fiber in this country.

My experience is they are mean, selfish and arrogant.

But they do run to church every Sunday which I guess makes up for their behavior.

Independent for Obama   October 6th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

McCain knows what he heard, let's not play the dumb card now.

Stacy from Leesburg, VA   October 6th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

Great, a policeman taking aim on a black man. People in the crowd calling him a terrorist. This is raising the conversation Senator McCain and Governor Palin. Raising the tenor like this does no one any good as someone with malevolent intent may mistake this as a green light. I pray with my heart that nothing happens because of your comments Senator McCain and Governor Palin.

Holly from Minnesota   October 6th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

Here are just two domestic terrorist organizations linked to McCain: the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia and the World Anti-Communist League. Add this to "Keating Five" and you've got enough material for anti-McCain ads for months to come.

If you're going to throw the word/concept of "terrorist" around, make sure you don't have any skeletons in your own closet.

Mimi   October 6th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

This is disturbing! How low will the McCain campaign go!!!!!!!!Dispicable

jason, tx   October 6th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

they use that rhetoric and they are the one's fueling the fire. McCain's campaign is full of hypocrites.

United Party   October 6th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

This is truly pathetic!!!

Angela   October 6th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

I think this campaign has tarnished McCain's reputation more than the Keating Five scandal. Opening up this line of attack on Obama's personal character is just going to bring out the loony, crazy people, and McCain always seemed better than that. He is going to lose, but he can do so with honor or in disgrace. It is his choice.

Independent in America   October 6th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

I thought John McCain said he would run a respectible campaign. I guess that is out the window!

Independant, Florida   October 6th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

My whole family has always been republican, but after Bush making a complete mess of things, I started questioning giving my support to McCain. In the last week McCain's message has turned too sour to stomach. I don't think he has any solutions and I don't trust him now.

Honesty   October 6th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

CNN is in the tank. The Obama tank…..pittiful

the other jd   October 6th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

pretty sad…

Someone in the crowd responded by yelling: “Terrorist!” The crowd roared, and McCain seemed startled, but it is unclear whether he actually heard what the man shouted. He did not respond to the attack.

McCain is just pushing his followers right to the edge, and then letting them launch the attacks for him. McCain is a merchant of hate, and sadly enough, there are still people out there who are buying.

Jean 2   October 6th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

PALIN AND MC CAIN ARE PLAYING LOOSE AND RECKLESS IN THESE VERY SENSITIVE TIMES. PLAYING WITH THE IDEA OF SOMEONE BEING A TERRIORIST IS NOT SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE.

THINK ABOUT THE LARGER PICTURE.

Smart in Ohio   October 6th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

McCain 2000: "Uh, I, I just have to rely on the good judgment of the voters not to buy into these negative attack ads. Sooner or later, people are going to figure out if all you run is negative attack ads you don't have much of a vision for the future or you're not ready to articulate it." [The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, 2/21/2000]

This quote seems pretty appropriate right now…

John Oni   October 6th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

It's so much of a joke, what is going on! This is the United states Of America, expected to show leadership to the rest of the world on all fronts of human endeavor. To see the way politics is been played to choose it's leader is sham.

Carl29   October 6th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

Each of those people is just replicating what McCain/Palin are doing at the national level, why the surprise?

Dameun Strange   October 6th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

retire and go back to what ever country he was born in.

outtouch   October 6th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

mccaim is the terror of the ecomonic.

Greg in NC   October 6th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

This Ayers deal is shady. How do people like that get jobs at our universities? I want to know more about this and how Obama is connected.

indy chris   October 6th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

a question for both candidates: how many times, if ever, have you committed an act of adultery?

Peter (CA)   October 6th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

Let's see if I got this right, McCain and friends are happy to gather up a pile of leaves, pour gasoline on it, leave a box of matches behind but are shocked when someone picks up a match and lights it??

This is what is wrong with the right wing nuts jobs. How about issues?
Better yet, how about something that is sort of like the TRUTH?

Dameun Strange   October 6th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

This said file under uncategorized because it shouldn't even be a news story. Why give these racist dividers any time with this nonsense.

B   October 6th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

Senator McCain was pretty clear that he needs to run a sleazi campaign. He has seriously compromised himself as the Republican candidate.

Hopefully, McCain,72, will retire now.

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