I couldn't find another diary on this, so I decided I'd write it myself. Apologies if it's already been covered...
Just when you thought you'd seen enough footage of shocking statements from McCain/Palin supporters... This story from Al Jazeera brings us the latest, this time from a recent Palin rally in St. Clairsville, OH on October 12th.
I am originally from a small town 30 miles away from St Clairsville, and seeing this clip reminds me of what it was like to live there. St Clairsville is actually sort of a metropolis in this rust belt region. To many farmers, steelworkers, and coal miners who live in the surrounding countryside, it's known for being "where the WalMart is." Yet for being the largest city in Belmont County, there is some serious "aggressive ignorance" at work there.
Video clip and transcript below the fold...
UPDATE: Digg it!
UPDATE 2: Wow, Rec List! It's my first time! Thanks everyone who recommended this diary. Help this video go viral.
Sarah Palin's speech in St Clairsville that day was typical of her recent crusade against Obama - a blatant attempt to otherize him, to paint him as one of THEM, not like us:
"Help me, Ohio, to help put John McCain in the White House," she said. "He understands. He understands you. We understand how important it is that this team be elected. For one thing, we know who the bad guys are, OK?"
That statement elicited scattered shouts of "Obama!" throughout the crowd.
"We know that in the war, it’s terrorists, terrorists who hate America and her allies and would seek to destroy us, and the bad guys are those who would support and sympathize with the terrorists," she said. "They do not like America because of what we stand for. Liberty. Freedom. Equal rights. Those who sympathize and support those terrorists who would seek to destroy all that it is that we value, those are the bad guys, OK?"
And here is a transript of what Palin supporters had to say in response, (captured on camera by Al Jazeera of all networks!):
"I'm afraid if he wins, the black [sic] will take over. He's not a Christian! This is a Christian nation! What is our country gonna end up like?"
"When you got a Negro running for president, you need a first stringer. He's definitely a second stringer." (Note: It's unclear whether he says "Negro" or "Nigger"... Thoughts?)
Update: Some comments below claim he said "Nigrah"
"He seems like a sheep - or a wolf in sheep's clothing to be honest with you. And I believe Palin - she's filled with the Holy Spirit, and I believe she's gonna bring honesty and integrity to the White House."
"He's related to a known terrorist, for one."
"He is friends with a terrorist of this country!"
"He must support terrorists! You know, uh, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. And that to me is Obama."
"Just the whole, Muslim thing, and everything, and everybody's still kinda - a lot of people have forgotten about 9/11, but... I dunno, it's just kinda... a little unnerving."
"Obama and his wife, I'm concerned that they could be anti-white. That he might hide that."
"I don't like the fact that he thinks us white people are trash... because we're not!"
What strikes me most about these comments is the contrast in tone when compared to the other recent videos of Palin mobs at Bethlehem, PA and Strongsville, OH. In those videos, the shocking comments seem to come out as a response to being challenged on their stances by the camera holder or by the presence of Obama supporters across the street, and are seeping with defensiveness, anger, outrage. One might be inclined to dismiss those examples of racism by arguing that their offensive comments were drawn out by Obama folks intentionally trying to trap them, trying to get a rise out of them.
But this clip is different. The people of St Clairsville seem to have no idea who they are speaking to. The interviewer, Casey Kauffman, looks like he could be simply another good church-going Christian citizen from the 93% white area of southeastern Ohio. The result? These Palin supporters lower their guards, and appear to actually be human, with fears and insecurities like everyone else (even if they are racist fears and insecurities). I actually kind of feel sorry for these folks. They are being manipulated by the McCain campaign.
Kauffman also interviewed an Obama supporter on the scene, and asked him about the way people have reacted to his political stance.
"I've been called the N-word. I've been called a Muslim. I've been called Un-American. I'm worried, with these people the tension's getting thicker and thicker."
I sympathize with Taylor. I remember living in that area. When you're in a small town it can be hard to find people like you. When everyone around you seems out of their mind, things can get pretty scary.
Here is the video.
PS: Lest you think that this video represents everyone in St Clairsville, check out Buckeye BattleCry's diary on Joe Biden rally just a few miles away from the site of this Palin rally, only days later.
