http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/10/1529529.aspx

I cannot believe that the McCain is deliberately misinterpreting Obama's statements against the angry mobs at McCain rallies. They trying to make this another "bitter" comment from Obama when in reality McCain should have been much more reproachful when the hateful comments began. Even if he claims that he could not hear it, his campaign certainly read about the comments through the Media. They contributed to that hate by not making any statements against it.

I was truly encouraged by McCain's statements last night in defense of Obama. (I would have preferred stronger language, but at least it was something). But by following that up with a claim that Obama is anti-"joe six-pack" is absurd and perpetuates the hate and class warfare.

McCain is trying to have it both ways. He wants people to continue a hateful campaign against the candidate that is considered dangerously anti-American. But he wants to swoop in from time to time with a weak comment against the Obama bashing as if he were morally superior the whole time. That is a spineless, offensive excuse for leadership. If McCain has let his campaign get this out of control, how can the American people have any confidence whatsoever that he will be a unifying Commander in Chief? Even if he plays that role for a few years, he would revert back to this faux patriotic, anti-elitist rhetoric when it is time for the old codger to get reelected.

In playing the role of the perfect American against the "dangerous" Obama who "regular" people cannot trust, McCain has launched an all out offensive against true American patriotism and the goal of bringing people together to make this country great again.