OpEdNews » McCain/Palin Campaign Relies on Lazy Thinking and Prejudice to Win

I got an urgent email from an uncle of mine yesterday evening. A sweet man, retired career military and very religious, he was genuinely worried about an email he had received purporting to convey an article said to have been written by New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd and published on June 29, 2008 alleging that much of the Obama campaign's "small donations" over the Internet had actually come from several Arab sources overseas.

Now I could see before reading two paragraphs of the alleged column he forwarded to me that it was not Dowd's acerbic and witty writing style, but I cannot expect most people who don't even read Dowd to know that. Two minutes at the computer, however, and I was easily able to confirm, as anyone could do, that Dowd had never written the article. A search of the New York Times archive showed she had written on a wholly different topic--Hillary Clinton--on that day, and moreover, the non-partisan truth-checking website Snopes.com had a full documented debunking of the scam.

Why this particular campaign dirty trick--and with Karl Rove in the back seat of the McCain campaign bus I have no doubt that it originated in the bowels of that campaign, which has not disavowed it--works, and why the many other vile efforts, like the latest shameful official McCain TV ad claiming that Obama backs "sex education for kindergartners," work is that many otherwise decent Americans like my uncle first of all are primed to believe such crap by a deep-seated prejudice against people of color, and secondly that the corporate media which are supposed to be informing us are afraid to call out a mainstream political candidate for lying and deceiving the public. Some, like Fox, actually promote these falsehoods.

Look at the news today. Instead of exposing the blatant campaign of character assassination by the McCain/Palin campaign, it is focused on the bogus (and frivolous) claim by the McCain campaign that Obama has called Palin a "pig with lipstick"! (What did Obama really do? He said that the McCain/Palin ticket's attempt to portray itself as an anti-pork, anti-Washington, reform campaign is like putting lipstick on a pig--a common expression used by McCain himself.) The issue becomes not "Is the McCain campaign charge true?" but rather "Should Obama have to apologize to Palin?"

What's depressing about this is how well the McCain campaign's swim in the sewer is working. A nice kid I know who works at our local garage told me that he couldn't vote for Obama, despite liking his policies, "because he'll take his oath of office on the Koran." Aside from the anti-Muslim bias inherent in this statement, it is based upon false information being spread virally through the internet falsely claiming, on the basis of no evidence, that Obama is a secret Muslim and that he took his Senate oath of office on a Koran.

People on the left may wish that Obama were a more overtly progressive and more expressly anti-war candidate. I certainly do. But let's get real here for a minute. With the black-baiting that is going on by the other side, and the gullible and terribly uninformed or even misinformed electorate out there, and with a national media that will simply repeat and spread whatever bilious and false charges are made by the McCain campaign, what chance on earth would a candidate like Obama have if he were to call for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, or for a government-run medical insurance program? Those who call angrily for such unambiguous positions by Obama are deluding themselves.

I really have to laugh. He'd be labeled a traitor and a communist, and you know what? Absent a real analysis and absent critical reporting by the mainstream media, 90 percent of the American public would unthinkingly buy that false and ludicrous characterization.

I used to have a higher opinion of my fellow Americans, who had a reputation for common sense. I used to believe that if a candidate told them that it made no sense to put insurance companies in charge of their health care and that people were much healthier and less anxious about their health and their lives, and spent less on health care in countries like Canada or Sweden or Germany or France where their health care was guaranteed by the state, if a candidate told them that half the money being spent on the US military was a waste and did nothing to make the nation safer, if a candidate told them that human life on this planet was in grave danger if nothing was done to seriously reduce carbon emissions by half or even more, that they would listen and vote accordingly. I used to think that if only Ralph Nader could shoehorn his way into the national debates, a wave of popular support would sweep him into the White House. (And let's be honest here. We on the left are not immune from this poison of ignorance. I cannot tell you how many otherwise intelligent people on the left keep writing me to say that the entire foreign policy of the United States is being secretly run by "Israel and the Zionists.")

I no longer hold that high opinion. Sure, if this nation were educating people to think critically--which is not being done--if we had a media that had a core ethos of getting at the truth and making it known--which we don't--I would have that confidence. But I think it is clear that we have traveled so far down the road of creating an ignorant and fearful electorate that any candidate making such bold claims would be doomed to either a devastating loss, or to minor party status. Nader, for example, whose ancestry is Lebanese Christian, were he to begin to rise in the polls to become a serious candidate, would certainly be portrayed as a Muslim Manchurian candidate, and it wouldn't matter what he said or stood for after that.

I don't know what this dismal state of affairs means in terms of the future direction of American politics, but it doesn't bode well for the future of third parties, or for the Democratic Party, or for the country, or for the fate of the world.

And that is the truth.
________________
DAVE LINDORFF is a Philadelphia-based journalist and columnist. His latest book is "The Case for Impeachment" (St. Martin's Press, 2006 and now available in paperback edition). His work is available at www.thiscantbehappening.net

http://www.thiscantbehappening.net

Dave Lindorff, a columnist for Counterpunch, is author of several recent books ("This Can't Be Happening! Resisting the Disintegration of American Democracy" and "Killing Time: An Investigation into the Death Penalty Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal"). His latest book, coauthored with Barbara Olshanshky, is "The Case for Impeachment: The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office (St. Martin's Press, May 2006). His writing is available at http://www.thiscantbehappening.net

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7 comments

A retired sales ad marketing trainer, escapee from the automobile business, who reads vorciously and writes whenever possible. The rest of the available time is spent doing woodworking or cooking. Lives in central TX, where the weather is great and politics are dubious. Usually logical and sensible but can be very cranky when assaulted by anybody leaning too far to the right and doesn't know it.
Ivan HentschelA retired sales ad marketing trainer, escapee from the automobile business, who reads vorciously and writes whenever possible. The rest of the available time is spent doing woodworking or cooking. Lives in central TX, where the weather is great and politics are dubious. Usually logical and sensible but can be very cranky when assaulted by anybody leaning too far to the right and doesn't know it.

Finally a good description

Thanks, Dave, except you didn't leave much for anyone else to say. This is one of your best summarizations in a long time.

"Lazy thinking": That's good. I was looking for another way to describe what I was observing. There are of course people who don't think at all and those who think they think, but the real dangerous folks are the ones who opt for this 'lazy" stuff, taking the easy way out, opting for the least amount of mental energy expended.

Lazy thinking always costs more, down the road, but people who practice it are not known for their ability to see into the future or plan ahead.

by Ivan Hentschel (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 9 diaries, 280 comments) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 12:49:30 PM

Margaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Margaret BassettMargaret Bassett is an 86-year old, currently living in senior housing, with a lifelong interest in political conumbrums. She hopes to hold out for one more presidential election. Bachelors from State University of Iowa (1944) and Masters from Roosevelt University (1975) help to unravel important requirements for modern communication. Early introduction to computer science (1966) trumps them. It's payback time. She's been "entitled" so long she hopes to find some good coming off the keyboa...

to see more of bio, click on member name

What will the voters do?

There's been such a saturation of wild and crazy talk concerning the candidates that I can't help but think they would like to stay at home. And, for those who let the TV tell them what to do, they may just decide they're not buying. The most common response I get for that type is "they're all the same."

In my neighborhood it happened in 04, when formerly gungho Bushites just didn't go to the polls. Those people were also disappointed Huckabee didn't make it. Many would stick to tradition and vote Republican--just like they have since Andrew Johnson's time. So anyone who believes that Obama will pull ahead in East Tennessee has to be dreaming. However, the question still may be that many will not vote. Think Sister Sarah and think card-carrying NASCAR/NRA members.

Obama is stuck on a posture between "uppity" and "neer-do-well" in the eyes of persons I just described. However, I'm hearing from the younger crowd who seem to like Obama.

by Margaret Bassett (38 articles, 2206 quicklinks, 30 diaries, 1501 comments) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 5:25:40 PM

I'm active in the Democratic party, but have also been a Libertarian. I do not buy into laissez faire economics at all, which is why I've left that party.
I'm chairman of my local Congressional District organization, and PCO administrator for my county's Democratic organization. I'm treasurer of my local PDA chapter.

I'm also a small farmer, who believes that only by restoring local agriculture and community food production can we rebuild a healthy economy.
WaltKI'm active in the Democratic party, but have also been a Libertarian. I do not buy into laissez faire economics at all, which is why I've left that party.
I'm chairman of my local Congressional District organization, and PCO administrator for my county's Democratic organization. I'm treasurer of my local PDA chapter.

I'm also a small farmer, who believes that only by restoring local agriculture and community food production can we rebuild a healthy economy.

Used to have a higher opinion?

You must be pretty old then.

“No one in this world, so far as I know—and I have researched the records for years, and employed agents to help me—has ever lost money by underestmating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone lost public office thereby.”

H. L. Mencken

As far as a reputation for common sense? That probably dates back to WWI when those American farmboys hit the front and could get the balky tank running again with some elbow grease and baling wire.

To have common sense, you have to live in the real world. American's have been living a fantasy for at least 50 years. Jefferson wasn't kidding when he called the small landholder the most precious part of the state.

There is reason for hope. Give McCain 4 years and we'll all be growing our own food again, and relearning some common sense.

by WaltK (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 21 comments) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:43:11 PM

I am a retired physicist now living in Pennsylvania. Now I have become a farmer, growing food for a Farmers Market and for our own consumption. I have five kilowatts of solar power making electricity for the home my wife and I occupy.
nachamkinI am a retired physicist now living in Pennsylvania. Now I have become a farmer, growing food for a Farmers Market and for our own consumption. I have five kilowatts of solar power making electricity for the home my wife and I occupy.

It's A Cartoon Dave

Dave it finally struck me. We are living in a cartoon. For a long time I've been hearing the orchestra playing "The Merry Go Round Broke Down." First it was softly in the background when JFK was shot. But now it's getting much louder. All the landscape tilts to the right. The Looney-Tune characters in charge not only deny known science and facts, they defy logic. Brain-dead minor characters wander about talking to each other on cell phones and walk out over sheer cliffs without falling till they look down. Kartoon Kops are riding around shooting randomly. At any moment I expect Karl Rove to break through "reality," and a-la Porky-Pig, he will give a little wave and announce, "That's All Folks."

by nachamkin (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:46:39 PM

CPA, University Lecturer Risk Finance, Major Royal Australian Infantry (Inactive) RFD, Former Mayor City of Greater Dandenong, Wife from Arabic speaking coutry, Former Lecturer Arabic & Islamic culture - Army Reserve Command & Staff College.
kwalshCPA, University Lecturer Risk Finance, Major Royal Australian Infantry (Inactive) RFD, Former Mayor City of Greater Dandenong, Wife from Arabic speaking coutry, Former Lecturer Arabic & Islamic culture - Army Reserve Command & Staff College.

Hypocrisy

Recently the Rupert Murdoch owned New York Post had the following front page editorial

"THE Post today enthusiastically urges the election of Sen. John S. McCain as the 44th president of the United States."

This from a man who built a media empire on the chests of topless models and edgy, pushing-the-envelope Fox TV network shows, and recently began building a stable of hard-core porn channels for its BSkyB subsidiary.

"Rupert Murdoch is a born-again Christian and Rick Warren claims to be his pastor," says Chris Rosebrough, head of the Christian Accountability Network. "As a Christian, Murdoch is committing an egregious sin by owning, expanding and profiting from pornographic channels, and Rick Warren, his pastor, has a biblical duty to call Murdoch to repentance and/or put him out of the church."

Sarah Palin apparently had to answer a questionnaire which asked amongst other things "Have you ever down loaded porn?” Apparently some in the Christian right can accommodate such double standards.

I'm not a prude by a struggle with double standards.

by kwalsh (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 227 comments) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:48:00 PM

Flag of convenience

It is a widely held view that Rupert Murdoch abandoned his Australian Citizenship when it got in the way of his business interests.

It would be interesting to see which way he would jump if forced to choose between the profits from porn and his born-again Chistianity.

It appears to me he now knowingly sells matches and gas to light the fire and then proclaims loudly his disapproval of those who light fires as he sells replacement furniture.

by kwalsh (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 227 comments) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 8:03:42 PM

I am a conservative independant. I believe in the Constitution of the United States.
Jay TimminsI am a conservative independant. I believe in the Constitution of the United States.

Lazy Thinking and Prejudice to Win?

Making a big deal about "lipstick on a pig" may be as stupid as it gets, but Obama's smear campaign about Palin's daughters pregnancy or saying that the Down Syndrome baby that Palin had is really her daughters is far worse. Personally, I am sick and tired of all the bashing that is going on. What are either of these candidates going to do about illegal immigration? What are they going to do about the fact this country is bankrupt? If any of you want to really do something, then lets start forcing these people to talk about issues that concern the well being of the American People. You seem to knock the American people as if they are nothing but sheep. If your so damned smart then lead the way or take or take a pill.

by Jay Timmins (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 108 comments) on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 8:02:35 PM