Obama not backing down

[gabeana]

Obama backs Lewis statement

Obama spokesman Bill Burton gives little ground to McCain's outraged response at John Lewis's evoking George Wallace:

Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies.

But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for President of the United States ‘pals around with terrorists.’

As Barack Obama has said himself, the last thing we need from either party is the kind of angry, divisive rhetoric that tears us apart at a time of crisis when we desperately need to come together. That is the kind of campaign Senator Obama will continue to run in the weeks ahead.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Obama_backs_Lewis_statement.html#comments

[skooooo]

1. And I think 95% of America agrees !

[madaboutharry]

2. The republicans made the mistake of thinking they

were dealing with a wussie.

[ginnyinWI]

4. I don't understand how they think they can win a majority with

tactics like these. The best they can realistically hope for is to keep their uneducated/racist/fearful voting block. But is that really worth it? It alienates everyone else!

[Median Democrat]

5. But If The Racist Voting Block Has 100% Turnout and the Rationale Folks Have 50% Turnout...

It could be competitive. Of course, the racist block may have difficulty operating the voting machines once they show up, but part of the goal of the racist revivals/rallies is to motivate folks to vote.

[WheelWalker]

10. Instead, they've got Barack "Fast Eddie" Obama.

[ecstatic]

3. Well that's fine but I think it is comparable

and I'm not sure I agree with their decision to even respond to that jerk. But they know wayyy more than me so, whatever.

[VeraAgnes]

6. John Lewis knows how the environment of hate feels....

Just like we know a tornado is comming.......the birds go silent, the air warm and calm, the tree leaves fold-up, and the sky gives off a peculiar glow of grey/yellow-green hue..... Yes, John Lewis knows when hate is in the air.

[nsd]

7. A better headline: Obama doesn't take the bait

The McCain campaign is desperately trying to shift attention away from the economy and onto "culture war" territory. We shouldn't let them do that. We shouldn't take the bait.

Issuing a brief, moderate statement like this and then moving on is the right move. Obama should stay focused on talking about this country's economic problems. He can't allow himself to be drawn into a debate on race or McCain's tactics.

[VeraAgnes]

9. Racism is easy, hate is easy,

mccain needs what is easy, so he selects the path of days gone past, evokes violence among us.

[Phx_Dem]

8. Right on.

And fuck you John McCain.