Everyone noticed "That one." and quite a few also noticed how McCain guessed a black debate attendee never heard of Fannie & Freddie before the economic downturn despite the fact the attendee had an economic question at a political debate, and was thus obviously interested in the subject.
What's gone unsaid is the assumption McCain goes on to make about this black man, Oliver. In answering his question about how the bailout helps everyday people, McCain points Oliver to Allen, the white guy from the 1st question, and speaks of how McCain will keep people like Allen in their homes. @2:20
"...and that way, Americans (finds Allen, points him out to Oliver) - like Allen - can realize the American dream and stay in their home."
One problem: Allen never said anything about owning a home.
Why assume Allen has a home and Oliver does not? McCain should speak to the person whose question he's answering unless another has brought up something relevant. Yet in this question, McCain goes back to the white guy. IMO, McCain does so because, in his mind, Allen looks like someone who would own a home.
If McCain's trying to be relatable, showing he remembers names and, by extension, cares, why not say to Oliver:
"Americans like you and Allen can can realize the American dream and stay in their home..."?
Instead he says to Oliver:
"Americans like Allen can realize the American dream and stay in their home..." A small but telling difference.
It's easy to nitpick, and of course this alone doesn't confirm McCain's prejudiced sensibilities. But, as noted by Cenk Uygur and others, this is not an isolated incident. Examples of his racial insensitivity include:
·a long refusal of the MLK holiday into the 90's
·his defense of the confederate flag up to 2000
·answering a question about divorced fathers and child support, McCain called the children "tar babies."
·his unapologetic use of the word "gooks"
·his incredulous response when someone calls his "joke" about killing the Iranian population insensitive. "To IRANIANS?"
I haven't included his jokes (equally offensive to people of color, women & gays/lesbians), or the racially skewed principles of conservatives in general ("islamofascism" etc.)
For the record, I think "That one" wasn't racist, merely dismissive and disrespectful. No one wants to walk on eggshells about race, and 24-hour coverage makes a gaffe or two nearly inescapable. But as we continue to see more of him, a larger pattern is forming of McCain's patronizing attitude, antiquated outlook, and "us vs. them" ideology