MrCain’s brave defence of Obama against insults wins rival’s praise

MrCain’s brave defence of Obama against insults wins rival’s praise – Agence France-Presse (South China Morning Post – 12/10/08)

Democratic White House candidate Barack Obama yesterday thanked his Republican rival John MrCain for urging supporters to be respectful and stop hurling abuse at the Illinois senator during his rallies.

It came after Senator McCain was booed at his own rally as he tried to rein in increasingly raw anger among supporters stunned by Senator Obama’s lead in the polls. Crowds at Senator McCain’s rallies have become increasing inflammatory, shouting out “terrorist” and “liar” when Senator Obama is mentioned.

At one Florida rally, someone even shouted “kill him”. The US Secret Service said it was investigating the alleged death threat.

“Now, I want to acknowledge that Senator McCain tried to tone down the rhetoric yesterday in his town hall meeting and I appreciate his reminder that we can disagree while still being respectful of each other,” Senator Obama said.

Speaking near Minneapolis on Friday, Senator McCain drew boos when he insisted to a skeptical supporter that Senator Obama was a “decent person”.

“We want to fight and I want to fight, but we will be respectful,” Senator McCain said. But when he then added, “I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments,” the crowd jeered loudly. “That doesn’t mean you have to reduce your ferocity,” he said. “It’s just got to be respectful.”

While a number of questioners expressed concerns about Senator Obama, one woman went further.

“I don’t trust Obama. I have read about him. He’s an Arab,” she said, echoing a false assertion that has crept into some right-wing weblogs.

Senator McCain shook his head in disagreement and cut her off, grabbing the microphone back.

“No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man, [a] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues,” he said.

A man said: “Frankly, we’re scared, we’re scared of an Obama presidency.” He said he was especially worried that “someone who cohorts with domestic terrorists” might be in a position to choose Supreme Court justices.

“He is a decent person and a person that you do not have to scared [of] as president of the United States,” Senator McCain responded, drawing shouts of “no”.

But he added: “If I didn’t think I’d be a heck of a better president, I wouldn’t be running.”

Polls show that Senator Obama has opened a double-digit lead in the wake of a damning report that found Republican vice-president nominee Sarah Palin had abused her power as Alaska governor.

Senator Obama leads Senator McCain 52 per cent to 41 per cent among registered voters, according to Newsweek magazine. A similar poll a month ago showed the two candidates tied at 46 per cent.

2. Summary

White House candidate Barack Obama said thanks to John McCain concerning his speech of urging his supporters to be respectful during his rally. That is because McCain’s fans have yelled out “terrorist” and “liar”, ever “kill him” about Obama in his rally, but McCain said “It’s just got to be respectful.” And he also insisted that Obama is a “decent person”. At the same time, some his supporters did not trust Obama as he is an Arab. And this talk made McCain think that is a misconception although he still implies he is better than Obama to be president. However, according to polls showed that Obama leads McCain 52 to 41 per cent.

3. Feedback

McCain shows his tolerance in his rally even though it is not so convicting from this article. Needless to say, no matter McCain or Obama is eager to win this election and to be president to lead United States to face the difficulties. And she needs a capable, energetic and convictive president to lead the whole American to encounter the barriers. Although it is very hard to make up my mind, I prefer Obama to be president rather than McCain. Financial tsunami maybe is the biggest crisis of the United States and it is too tough, troublesome and hard to handle as well as control. Experience has not already been feasible enough in this case. On the other hand, the American needs more constructive and workable financial policies to help themselves and change their emergent situation. And Obama is the most suitable person to lead the American to fight the economic problems because “Change is coming”.