There's been a real fear that the dangerous rhetoric from the McCain/Palin campaign could translate into dangerous actions. A few weeks ago, an Obama effigy was found burning from a tree on an Oregon university campus. A couple days ago in Ohio, a man proudly hung an Obama effigy from his tree. Also this past week, a non-partisan Pennsylvania blogger reporting at a McCain/Palin rally was kicked in the leg and sent to the ground.
Today an Obama campaign worker was assaulted in Wisconsin while she was canvassing.
As the article describes it, 58-year old Nancy Takehara from Chicago, was attacked by an angry homeowner:
"The next thing I know he’s telling us we’re not his people, we’re probably with ACORN, and he started screaming and raving," Takehara said. "He grabbed me by the back of the neck. I thought he was going to rip my hair out of my head. He was pounding on my head and screaming. The man terrified me."
The man eventually stopped and the Caledonia police were called. Takehara was asked if she needed medical assistance, but she was not seriously injured. Instead, she says she was shaken up by the homeowner’s reaction.
Obama later called her and spoke to her one-on-one:
Takehara was encouraged when she had a message waiting at home from the candidate she is fighting for. Takehara called back and she and Senator Obama talked one-on-one.
Takehara said, "Senator Obama understood... it was wonderful. It made me feel wonderful. It made me feel connected to this government again."
Thank God she was not seriously injured. I pray that all our staff and volunteers remain safe, and I thank Ms. Takehara for remaining in good spirits and (non-violently) fighting the good fight. The McCain/Palin hate speech and their tactics of division cannot succeed. We simply must not allow it to. I hope that this story doesn't scare anyone, but instead serves as extra motivation, reminding us why we must continue working hard through election day.