McCain Reigns In Hateful Talk At Minnesota Rally

At a rally in Lakeville, Minnesota on Friday, McCain displayed a heartfelt attempt to reduce the negativity that has taken hold of his campaign, something that many people, including Republicans, have criticized him for. During the rally, amid a progressively ugly tone and increasingly hateful critiques on Obama, one woman told the crowd "I don't trust Obama. I have read about him. He's an Arab." While this assertion is simply untrue, it is saddening that even in 2008, people are still unable to look past ethnic identity. However, McCain's response provided some hope. He quickly cut her off, saying "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man, (a) citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues," and that Obama "is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared (of) as president of the United States." Despite boos from the crowd, McCain remained assertive of his respect for Obama as an opponent and as a fellow United States citizen. Though I may disagree with McCain on the issues and on his actions as a candidate, including the release of some adds that may have sparked this kind of negativity, I condone him for standing up to such talk, especially during his own rally.