Are Politicians Responsible for Addressing Ugly Comments Made by Supporters?

So this morning there was a lot of talk about McCain and Palin and how they need to address (or do not need to address) some of the ugly comments shared by supporters about Barack Obama last week. I know late last week John McCain did this on a couple occassions, but I am curious to hear what people think about this.

Should he and Palin discourage violent or racist remarks? Or is all fair in politics and it's fine for them to ignore them? And I haven't been hearing the same about Obama's rallies, but if someone makes an ageist or sexist comment at one of his rallies should he address it?

Personally, I think they need to address these comments somehow. By saying nothing, it is almost the same as condoning them, but that's MO.

Re: Are Politicians Responsible for Addressing Ugly Comments Made by Supporters?

Sarah Palin accused Obama of palling around with terrorists (not true- Link to info ) so they had to realize that it would generate these sort of comments. It's interesting that McCain has more or less had to contradict Palin, because he's said that Obama is not a terrorist. However, I am sure she made those comments with his approval.

I see Sarah Palin as a very polarizing figure. She is bringing out these people who are ignorant and racist and her comments are not helpful. I am not saying that all her supporters are ignorant, but the campaign has put her in the position of stirring the pot, IMO. There is latent fear on the part of lots of people about having a black man as President, McCain's camp knows it, and they are exploiting it, IMO.

ETA: sorry for semi-hijacking. To answer, I do think both sides have a responsibility to quell those kinds of comments.

Message edited 10/13/2008 11:25:40 AM.

Re: Are Politicians Responsible for Addressing Ugly Comments Made by Supporters?

Well I applaud McCain for addressing these comments last week, when that lady said Obama was an Arab and she was scared of him. But at the same time I think McCain’s campaign, especially Palin, are the ones that set the tone for this type of behavior. Palin's rallies, her speeches were bordering on race baiting in the past week, highly irresponsible and dangerous.

I do think that to some extent it is the candidates’ responsibility to speak out especially if it’s being done at a rally loud enough for everyone to hear, like the “kill him” & “terrorist” remarks said about Obama. If a candidate does not speak out then it looks like they are condoning the behavior and/ or share the same POV as the lunatic screaming them out.

Re: Are Politicians Responsible for Addressing Ugly Comments Made by Supporters?

I find it interesting that McCain and Pallin seem to be playing both sides

on one hand- Pallin is saying he hangs out with domestic terrosits - and who is Obama - to insight fear

but McCain then tells the Lady in MN that he is not an arab- but a hard working family man

they seem to not have a clear message- not surprising-

I think they are responsible to not spread lies- so therefore they are responsible for what people say- esp in cases of Pallin comments to the crowd

Re: Are Politicians Responsible for Addressing Ugly Comments Made by Supporters?

I agree the McCain campaign has been doing some strange things lately. Stirring the pot and working people up, then trying to calm them down. I do think they want people to look at Obama with some fear, and they are using what they can just short of bringing up his race or Muslim roots (no I know he is not Muslim, but many believe he is).

I was glad to hear McCain refute the comments, but it gave his campaign a schizoid element-first they are saying one thing (through Palin) then something else through McCain.

I'm relieved to hear some agree politicians have some responsibility to address these comments.

Re: Are Politicians Responsible for Addressing Ugly Comments Made by Supporters?

I do think that politicians have a responsibility to address the racist/hateful/incendiary remarks/outbursts that may arise during their campaigning. They are our "leaders" and by not addressing these types of comments and/or behaviors, they are in fact condoning them.

Honestly, I get the feeling that McCain is uncomfortable with the nature of the comments at his rallies. This is a presidential election--not a race war! It is an example of embarrassingly unsophisticated politics and I think he knows it--and knows how damaging it will be.

I do not get that same feeling from his running mate Sarah Palin. I think she inspires the dregs of our society and encourages this type of thinking. I think she can do more good with her power than she currently is.

Edited: left out a word...

Message edited 10/13/2008 11:39:26 AM.