Revisiting McCain’s Defense of Obama

By Daniel Miessler on October 15th, 2008: Tagged as Politics

After the razzing I’ve received from my friend Dale here on the site, I decided to watch the video itself a couple of times to see how it differs from the transcript.

Unfortunately, I am even more sure that McCain associated being Arab with something negative, so that part was solidified, but I do give McCain more credit for his defense of Obama.

Basically, he was very clear that he thought Obama was a decent person, and that is truly admirable. The problem is that, without even thinking about it, he made an association between “Arab”, and “bad.” It’s almost like when the woman said, “He’s an Arab”, McCain heard, “He’s a terrorist”.

He immediately starts shaking his head…”Nope, nope…he’s a decent, family man, citizen…”

Again, “decent family man citizen” is not the opposite of Arab. Some may see this as a minor issue, but it’s not. But I do agree with Dale that McCain’s effort was a noble one, and I acknowledge that. I just think he ruined the gesture by making that automatic association with negativity.

Now, one could argue that he ignored the word she used, and instead just countered her negativity, but I don’t think so. I think he heard the word and had the same reaction to it that she does. But that’s just my take on it.

Anyway, enough of that. It was still cool of him to do, regardless.:

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View Comments

  • I haven't had much access to the film, but the thing that comes to mind is the question of whether McCain is really refuting whether he is an arab or not. Did McCain say "Yes he is an arab, but we like him anyways."?


    I've read by some accounts that his father is listed as an arab on Obama's birth certificate, and that both Barak and Obama are arab names.


    In avoiding the technical issues of whether Obama is in fact an arab, even in part, McCain might have been bypassing the ordeal to go on another tangent, with tact, stating that Obama, "whatever he is", is a decent fellow.


    thoughts?


    -=T=-

  • dale

    Woot! I get a mention in the first sentence.


    I still think you are reading way too much into this and being overly critical. I'm sure Obama doesn't take the time to correct his supporters at these rallies that make inane comments either (and there are plenty of both sides, it seems a rally is where all the idiots gather).


    Props though for at least looking at it again.

  • The meme that Obama is an Arab is being propagated by the extreme right. They are saying he's not black but Arab. McCain knows about this and wanted to stop her before she said something even crazier.


    http://mediamatters.org/items/200809220015


    And anything decent about his response went right out the window the next time he said "Who is the real Barack Obama?".

  • shane
    The problem is that, without even thinking about it, he made an association between “Arab”, and “bad.” It’s almost like when the woman said, “He’s an Arab”, McCain heard, “He’s a terrorist”.

    McCain doesn't need to equate Arabs to terrorists for this logic to work. McCain likely knew that the woman was implying that being an Arab was a bad thing; after all, why we should she mention it as the reason for not being able to trust Obama? McCain knew where she was going with it as he probably hears it a lot from other ignorant supporters. When they equate Arab (or "brown" people) to "bad" and "terrorists", then his answer fits without proving racism on his part.

    Again, “decent family man citizen” is not the opposite of Arab.

    Let's say you meet a girl at college and bring her home to meet your mother. Your mother immediately doesn't like her and calls her a whore (or something to that effect). You don't need to prove to your mother that she hasn't had sex form money or that she sleeps around. You tell her what a nice girl she is and all the things your mother wants hear: good family life, doing well in school, etc. That is what I saw McCain do, but then again, I don't look at McCain with the desire or expectation to see racism and other evils. I see just another politician.

  • Marisol

    I don't know if it was "cool" of him...more that he knew the backlash the rallies were getting and he was trying to save face.

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