He was clearly embarassed and shocked. I think you are just being mean-spirited and — like others I could mention — out of synch with Obama’s consensual and bridge-building ways. McCain deserves respect even if we’re glad he lost.

He deserves nothing of the sort. I agree that the “arab-decent man” thing came out wrong – he didn’t mean to imply that arabs are not decent, but it is undeniable that he created a vicious campaign that fuelled up his crowd with hatred and fear. Sarah Palin’s “Obama’s paling with terrorists who want to destroy America” happened until the very end, even after McCain being “shocked”. Did you see his latest ad where he put middle-eastern music and accused Obama with paling with a “PLO terrorist”?

Sorry, McCain sold out his principles long ago, and became a spineless, unprincipled, incompetent man, dishonest man who had the gull and the arrogance to choose a complete unqualified, ignorant, running mate with a good chance to take his place should he die or be incapacitated. A gamble to overtake Obama, and I am so relieved that he failed miserably.

McCain? Good riddance. Hopefully he will be booted out of the senate in two years.

Hmmm. I’m pondering this turn of phrase. So political debate should have an ethical dimension? If so I agree with you Leon. But remember it works both ways.

Compare and contrast; the campaign is the measure of the man.

If you hear anyone call someone a ‘decent family man’ you can be sure they are arab.

Yeah because you know you can’t be both…

C’mon Refresh and Leon! You know you can give McCain the benefit of the doubt. What good does it serve to assume that what he meant was anything but benign — i.e. that he didn’t want to entertain the stooge’s xenophobic leanings. He just got his words wrong. Maybe I am being naive on this one, but I suspect you both know that I am right.
Question for Leon: define ‘cheap shot’

By the way, here is a picture of Obama and his grandfather.

It’s striking that he looks very much like him.

Yep was just looking at that photo and thinking much the same…

McCain: No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man…’

This really is political correctness gone mad.

It’s striking that he looks very much like him.

Stooge: He’s an Arab

McCain: No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man…

Yeah because you know you can’t be both…

But I was going to say , if it wasn’t carried, it might mean the mainstream media simply don’t understand how significant or powerful this type of message is. It was very powerful – because it means we are presenting a united front as black, white and other groups on countering terrorism but not joining in the constant vilifying of Muslims. It’s more powerful to me personally because it’s coming form a prominent non-white US politician who served at the highest possible rank to counter terrorism.

McCain: No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man…”

Excellent!

I heard it on the BBC World Service which I hear no-one in Britain listens to. But I didn’t hear all – just the bit where he comes out to support Obama’s credential and I did think I was half dreaming being a sleep. I missed the reference to the anti-Muslim sentiment but sounds really heartening to know this came from a mainstream US politician. Very powerful.

Stooge: He’s an Arab

McCain: No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man…