© 2008 Capitol News Company, LLC
Posted on 10/11/2008 4:38:41 PM PDT by neverdem
Civil rights icon John Lewis compared Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to George Wallace in a posting to Politico's forum "The Arena," accusing McCain of fostering “an atmosphere of hate” and “hostility” like the one that led to white supremacists’ 1963 bombing of a church in Birmingham, Ala.
Lewis, a Democratic congressman from Georgia who has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), pointed in his posting to “the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign,” and said the senator and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, “are sowing the seeds of hatred and division.”
McCain, in a book he wrote with aide Mark Salter called “Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life,” had lauded the leadership of Lewis in the nonviolent civil rights movement.
McCain called the accusation “shocking and beyond the pale” and called on Obama to “repudiate it."
Brad Woodhouse of the Democratic National Committee said on Fox News: "I don't think Sen. Obama would agree with that. ... I don’t think we would agree with those comments."
Lewis didn't accuse McCain of imitating Wallace, but suggested there were similarities. His sharp words may be dismissed as those of a partisan Democrat in a campaign season. But the former head of SNCC and hero of Selma is somebody who McCain has lavished praise upon over the years, including in his book on courage and bravery and by repeatedly invoking Lewis's name in public appearances.
Appearing with Obama at a forum at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in August, McCain included Lewis as one of "three wise men" he would consult as president. "He can teach us all a lot about the meaning of courage and commitment to causes greater than our self-interest," McCain said of Lewis.
Now, Lewis is castigating McCain in the harshest of terms. "George Wallace never threw a bomb," Lewis noted. "He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama."
McCain quickly fired back hard, calling the comments “a character attack against Gov. Sarah Palin and me that is shocking and beyond the pale.”
“The notion that legitimate criticism of Sen. Obama's record and positions could be compared to Gov. George Wallace, his segregationist policies and the violence he provoked is unacceptable and has no place in this campaign,” McCain said in the statement. “I am saddened that John Lewis, a man I've always admired, would make such a brazen and baseless attack on my character and the character of the thousands of hardworking Americans who come to our events to cheer for the kind of reform that will put America on the right track.
McCain also put the onus on Obama to distance himself from the remarks: "I call on Sen. Obama to immediately and personally repudiate these outrageous and divisive comments that are so clearly designed to shut down debate 24 days before the election. Our country must return to the important debate about the path forward for America.”
Obama's campaign distanced themselves from Lewis's Wallace language but took a shot at Palin for some of her tough charges of late.
“Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. "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,”
The full Lewis posting, sent to Politico's Fred Barbash, referee of "The Arena," with the heading “Rep. John Lewis On Hostility of McCain-Palin Campaign": “As one who was a victim of violence and hate during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I am deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign. What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.
“During another period, in the not too distant past, there was a governor of the state of Alabama named George Wallace who also became a presidential candidate. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.
"As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all. They are playing a very dangerous game that disregards the value of the political process and cheapens our entire democracy. We can do better. The American people deserve better.”
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© 2008 Capitol News Company, LLC |
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Lewis is a “civil rights icon?” ROTFLMAO!
I laugh how the media et al always labels black “leaders” as “civil rights icons.”
What a joke. These people are the biggest racists alive.
Was John Lewis the same idiot representative who claimed that slave trade caused sharks to feast along the slave transit routes from Africa to the USA because the dead slaves who were thrown overboard made a good snack?
“John Lewis marched at Selma during the voting rights march there, and was beaten there along with the other marchers. He was a key member of SNCC, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, during the civil rights movement. He has been considered an icon because of that”
And where did these Icons lead the slaves after they got them out of Egypt? To the Promised Land?
They left them scattered and prey to everything in the Wilderness.
70% illegitimacy (higher in some places); low high school graduations (79% in Detroit); high college drop-out rate;
lack of two-parent homes; high abortion rates (resulting in lack of a concept of the responsible father; and lessening of women’s status); etc.
The Civil Rights generation defeated Segregation; but they had no stake in a black generation that was successful and didn’t need their guidance or a handout from the government any more. Or one that didn’t want to consider themselves victims in need of their leadership.
I am started to get a sense that the “fire” and meltdown are beginning to consume the Democrat pary. These people are speaking out of some kind of powerful emotion. Is it fear? They’re started to act like they’re becoming unhinged. That’s just my sense and I maybe all wet.
here’s the contact info for Lewis:
http://www.house.gov/formjohnlewis/contact.html
I called his “press emergency number” and spoke with Darren Johnson (404-895-7850) and referenced the Politico article with quotes....
I asked where I could find congressman Lewis’ comments on Obama saying he would bring a gun to a knife fight several months ago....his answer was he was not sure...
I then asked where I could find congressman Lewis’ comments on 0bama encouraging his supporters to get in the face of McCain supporters in Nevada just one month ago...he said “if those comments are true I am not sure”...
he then suggested I call Lewis’ media communications director in the DC office (he wanted to get off the phone)...her name is Brenda Jones...I will call her Monday or Tuesday, if the office is closed....
several Freepers have already called and will call the office next week...take a few minutes to make the call...
Sounds like a threat. "Thou SHALL NOT disrespect the Obamessiah!"
That was Rep. Major Owens (D-NY)
Yes, because McCain is a white devil. All whiteys are racist, or so I’m told.
We are just feed up with leftwing BS.
Uh, worse. John McCain said John Lewis is one of the three wisest men he's ever known.
This is laughable compared to the insults, lies and abuse heaped upon McCain- and expecially Sarah.
Sarah asked for our help the other day with the media.
Don’t let her down. We CAN make a difference.
FReep THE MSM!
SEND THEM DAMAGING INFO ON OBAMA. DEMAND THEY DO THEIR JOB AND INVESTIGATE.
CAN THEY IGNORE A MILLION EMAILS?
ElRushbo@eibnet.com
me@glennbeck.com
stu@glennbeck.com,
Hannity@foxnews.com
http://www.lauraingraham.com/asklaura
On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren — Ontherecord@foxnews.com
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FOX News Sunday — FNS@foxnews.com
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FOX Report w/ Shepard Smith — Foxreport@foxnews.com
Obama connection with ACORNhttp://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDZiMjkwMDczZWI5ODdjOWYxZTIzZGIyNzEyMjE0ODI=
Obama goes to Kenya on the tax payer’s dollar to campaign for the murderous Islam-backed Odinga!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S8QcpdUtxNQ&feature=related
SHORT VERSION:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1P_P8lBCsE
Obama talks about Ayers giving him a job:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=D-45A6I
Fox News
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IMPORTANT
Be sure to add your name and town and email - or they won’t read them.
When emailing. they won’t read mass emails so put just one email add in the “to” line then click on BBC at the end of that line. a BCC line will open just above subject line. copy paste the rest of the addresses in there and each recipient will see ONLY their name
And while we’re at it, call McCain out on his ridiculous statements re; Obama.
CALLING OBAMA A RESPECTABLE FAMILY MAN THAT WE NEED NOT FEAR IS OUTRAGEOUS!
McCAIN TAKING THE ABUSE AND INSULTS FROM OBAMA AND REFUSING TO FIGHT BACK IS OUTRAGEOUS!
WE’RE NOT TURNING THE WHITE HOUSE KEYS OVER TO BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA- NOT IF WE ON FR, RUSH, HANNITY AND FOX HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT!
FReep McCAIN/ MSM OUT.
HOW LONG CAN THEY IGNORE A MILLION EMAILS??
.
McCain is losing this campaign because he refuses to fight Obama and his lies, and dirty tactics such as ACORN voter fraud. He’s just been rolling over (or bending over, I should say) and accepting the abuse heaped upon him- and expecially Sarah Palin.
The anemic attempts by the McCain camp to fight back within the last few days just ain’t gonna get it.
He should have been hitting Obama back hard months ago.
He needs to get out there every day and FIGHT BACK.
Email Republican headquarters/McCain.
FReep ‘EM OUT!
CAN THEY IGNORE A MILLION EMAILS?
REMIND McCAIN THAT HE HAS AN OBLIGATION AS OUR CANDIDATE TO FIGHT BACK!
To h*ll with bipartisian BS!
To h*ll with PC!
To h*ll with ‘conducting a respectful campaign’as McCain has said, and vowed to do.
RESPECTFUL CAMPAIGNING WENT STRAIGHT OUT THE WINDOW WITH OBAMA’S NASTY, BRUTAL COMMENTS SUCH AS;
‘lipstick on a pig’ and ‘You can wrap AN OLD FISH in a piece of paper called change. It’s still going to stink after eight years.’
Take off the gloves, McCain!
Hit the Marxist/Muslim hard with Ayers, Acorn, Violation of Logan Act, abortion, 2nd admendment, Campaigning for Odinga!!
Get off the d*mned economy issue. State that Obama/Democrats/ACORN caused this meltdown. State McCain offered a proposal to avert the meltdown and GET OFF IT.
Obama is counting on keeping this going to take the spotlight off his sordid past and dirty dealings!
NOTHING is more important than waking America up to this Marxist/Muslim!! DO IT. EXPOSE HIM!
FReep ‘EM!!!!
MCCAIN/REPUBLICAN PARTY
Fax: 202-228-2862
SEND A FAX FREE: https://faxzero.com/
rickdavis@johnmccain.com, ameese@mccain08hq.com, anickel@mccain08hq.com,
johnmccain@gop.com, info@gop.com,
RNCommunications@gop.com, Chairman@gop.com, Political@gop.com
info@McCainPalinVictory2008.com
Meghan McCain http://mccainblogette.com/contact/
THE CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST’S
(all the Republican movers and shakers)
GIANT E-MAIL LINKS PAGE!
http://www.conservativeusa.org/megalink.htm
.
IMPORTANT
Be sure to add your name and town and email - or they won’t read them.
When emailing. they won’t read mass emails so put just one email add in the “to” line then click on BBC at the end of that line. a BCC line will open just above subject line. copy paste the rest of the addresses in there and each recipient will see ONLY their name.
.
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McCain, in a book he wrote with aide Mark Salter called “Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life,” had lauded the leadership of Lewis in the nonviolent civil rights movement. Hopefully, Juan is learning that consorting with Rats while stabbing your true friends in the back was probably a really bad move. |
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Who are the other two? Algore and Cuomo?
Not quite that bad: General Petraeus and Meg Whitman. I'm trying to envision the three of them -- Petraeus, Whitman and Rep. Lewis sitting down for coffee and not knowing what to say to one another.
John did some great things for this country in the early 1960s. If the forty five years since he has been a cancer.
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