In another example of why anyone wanting to help the Obama campaign should either check with them first or - with great respect - just STFU, Representative John Lewis (D-Ga.) just inadvertently put a cap on the amount of criticism that can be heaped on the Palin/McCain campaign over their rounding up the lynch mob.
See, I can call it "rounding up the lynch mob" because I'm an intartubes nobody posting on a notorious extreme left wing hate site (hi O'Lielly!). Nobody gives a Goddamn about my opinion, and my words aren't immediately taken to Senator Obama's campaign for comment.
However, when a respected senior black Democratic Congressman does it, well, that's a horse of a different color.
John Lewis accused Mr McCain's campaign of "sowing hatred" against opponent Barack Obama and said he was reminded of 1960s segregationist George Wallace.
"Senator McCain and Governor Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all."
Mr Lewis said the "sowing of seeds of hatred and division" reminded him of Alabama Governor Wallace's rhetoric in 1963 that was blamed for a church bomb attack that killed four young girls.
Yes, Congressman, I actually think that's quite true. But if you're going to say it, then please be prepared for the outraged Palin/McCain retort, and be ready to own your words.
Whatever you do, don't immediately backpedal and equivocate and actually praise McCain:
Mr Lewis later said his reference was not a direct one, but was simply pointing out that "toxic language can lead to destructive behaviour".
He also welcomed Mr McCain's attempts to cool angry supporters at Republican rallies.
Oops! Not so bad after all, Congressman?
And please, please, don't put the Obama campaign in a position where they have to defend McCain:
The Obama campaign quickly said it did not believe Mr McCain's campaign was in any way comparable to Wallace.
The theme and the strength of the Obama campaign has been consistency. Having said that Palin/McCain is not as bad as Wallace, they can't now easily turn around and make that comparison, no matter how rabid the rabble rousing becomes. That gives Palin/McCain a free ride to push this venom as far as they want, and shift the framing of the debate around watercoolers the length and breadth of the country.
Perhaps this needed said, Congressman, but if so, it needed said at a time and a place of the Obama campaign's choosing.
Then again, what do I know? I'm an intartubes nobody.