If you haven't seen it, read Diarist's diary on the McCain co-chair discussing Obama's admitted youth drug use
Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, a McCain campaign co-chairman, edged up to an explicitly racial attack on Barack Obama on Thursday, describing the Illinois Senator as a "guy of the street" before raising his youthful drug use.
Appearing on Dennis Miller's radio show, Keating charged that the Democratic nominee was covering up his "very extreme" record, and urged Obama to be more honest with Americans. "He ought to admit," Keating said, "'You know, I've got to be honest with you. I was a guy of the street. I was way to the left. I used cocaine. I voted liberally, but I'm back at the center.'"
Now that's bad enough. 1) it's stupid because Obama admitted it in his book. 2) Again, it's appealing to the worst instincts of the GOP. (question: do they have any good instincts??)
On CNN last night though, Bay Buchanan kicked it up a notch. Here's a transcript of her talking to Campbell Brown.
CB: One of Obama's co-chairs said "Obama should admit he was a guy of the street who used cocaine" Bay, is this what Republicans really ought to be talking about in this campaign given all that's going on right now?
BB: I..i..think it's part of a very legitimate theme. I could care less whether he used the drug or not. I think a more important question is, did he supply it, did he sell it, was he part of that scene, because that goes to your judgement, your character...
CB:But there's no evidence at all to suggest that he was part of that scene. The guy says he was a "guy of the street" what does that mean?
BB: I think that's what it means, and I think it's a legitimate question for somebody who's involved in those kinds of drugs to ask. I mean, it's a legitimate question for the media to ask...
CB: You don't think there's a racial subtext to this?
BB: Oh, oh my gosh no. If I recall correctly, similar questions were asked of George Bush. Who, there were suggestions made..
CB: I don't recall anybody ever saying he was a man of the street...a guy of the street....
Unbelievable. One thing you can appreciate about B.Buchanan is she doesn't parse words, unlike other wingnut pundits who try to tiptoe as much as they can through certain topics.
I mean basically, she's inferring that he was a dealer, an importer or possibly even a connection for Pablo Escobar.
And yes, people levelled coke charges against GWB, but he refused to confirm or deny. But Campbell is right, no one ever inferred he might be a dealer as well. (Despite the fact that he lives right next to Mexico...) Also, there has never, ever, been any mainstream coverage about Laura Bush's alleged marijuana selling or her running over her alleged dealer boyfriend. Not ever.
So this is the possible next step for McPalin. He was a "guy of the street". He was a street thug. He was a drug user, which means he probably dealt them as well, just like most black people do.
Credit to Campbell for challenging Buchanan on that.