Olbermann calls on McCain the 'fraud' to suspend campaign David Edwards and Muriel Kane

Published: Wednesday October 15, 2008





Print This Email This Incendiary language from the audiences at McCain-Palin rallies has recently become commonplace. During the warmup prior to an appearance by Sarah Palin in Scranton on Tuesday, there was yet another cry of "kill him" following a mention of Barack Obama's name.



Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden told ABC on Sunday, "I'm no more concerned about it, as long as ... John pushes it back in a box and Gov. Palin pushes it back in a box. I don't think they intentionally do it."



However, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann devoted a Special Comment on Tuesday evening to John McCain and Sarah Palin's failure to take responsibility for what is said in their name and rein in their increasingly intemperate followers. He concluded by suggesting to McCain that he "suspend your campaign now, until you or somebody else gets some control over it and it ceases to be a clear and present danger to the peace of this nation."



Olbermann was particularly incensed by McCain's reaction when he was asked on Tuesday about the violent rhetoric of his supporters. McCain replied, briefly and casually, "Sure, I repudiate it, as I have on several occasions." He immediately went on to rail against Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who charged last weekend that McCain and Palin are "sowing the seeds of hatred and division" and compared the mood at their rallies to the "atmosphere of hate" created by George Wallace.



"And unfortunately Congressman John Lewis -- an American hero who I admire -- made the most, worst, most unacceptable statement a couple of days ago that I've ever heard," McCain stated. "He accused me and Sarah Palin of being involved with segregation, George Wallace, and even made reference to a church bombing where children were killed. Senator Obama has not repudiated that statement. ... It's the most outrageous thing that I've heard since I've been in politics. .. It's disgraceful."



"'Disgraceful'?" Olberman echoed. "Obviously, Senator, you haven't heard your own speeches, or Governor Palin's, and what people shout during them. ... These people are speaking for you. And how dare you try to claim Congressman Lewis was linking you to Governor George Wallace's segregation. He was, in fact, linking you -- aptly, sir -- to Governor George Wallace's lynch-mob mentality."



"There are some things to honor and respect about you Senator McCain," concluded Olbermann, "but on this, you are not only a fraud, sir, but you are tacitly inciting lunatics to violence. If you want to again grandstand and suspend your campaign, here's your big chance, sir."



The full text of Keith Olbermann's Special Comment can be read here.





This video is from MSNBC's Countdown, broadcast October 14, 2008.









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