Anger on the campaign trail
Are some McCain fans losing it? Are Obama supporters just as bad?
John McCain should "apologize for the ugly and racist tones that have crept into his campaign rallies," said Mary Mitchell in the Chicago Sun-Times. He makes excuses—and demands that Barack Obama repudiate supporters for their unfair attacks on the GOP ticket—but McCain is the one who chose the "low road," and he has not even come close to doing the right thing when his fans cross the line.
Sure, a few activists on the right are "getting out of hand," said Michelle Malkin in National Review Online. But what the Obama-loving media won't tell you is that left-wingers are just as bad. You don't hear about it when a "menacing horde of New Yorkers" (click here for the YouTube video) berates a "small, brave contingent of McCain supporters" marching through Manhattan, because that doesn't fit the liberal media's "Angry Right narrative."
Fans of Sarah Palin who shout "terrorist" at the mention of Obama's name have clearly lost it, said Clarence Page in the Chicago Tribune. But McCain is to be commended for "damping down" ugly sentiments during his own rallies. It's easy to understand how "Republican rage has risen as McCain's polling numbers have tanked," but that doesn't mean "civility" can't be restored on the campaign trail.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The ultimate films of 2024 by genre
From the Magazine In a year dominated by sequels, here are the releases that impressed the critics, from Hollywoodgate and Twisters to Poor Things and Atomic People
By The Week UK Published
-
The big art stories of 2024
In depth From the rediscovery of a long-lost painting and the year's highest sale price to the artwork eaten by its new owner
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: December 29, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published