MEADOR: Lewis didn't call McCain racist, but pointed to intense rally atmosphere

In an election year as incoherent and discombobulated as this one, I guess it's only fitting that in the latest faux-controversy, both sides should be right.

I'm referring to the recent statement released by Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, saying that the atmosphere at rallies for Sen. John McCain and Sarah Palin has come to resemble the atmosphere of segregationist George Wallace's political rallies in the 1960s. And as Lewis reminds us, "Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama."

The McCain campaign promptly responded, and, to their credit, they did it in tones that were nothing short of respectful and civil. McCain clearly stated his admiration for Lewis before stating his strong disappointment in the remarks, saying they were "beyond the pale."

Here's where both are right: If Lewis' remarks really were equating the McCain-Palin team to the bigoted lunacy of segregationists like Wallace, it would be every bit as unfair as McCain has stated in his interviews.

But, and here's why Lewis is right, Lewis' remarks do no such thing. Nowhere in his statement does Lewis say, or even imply, "John McCain is a racist." Rather, he suggests that the atmosphere of recent rallies is similar to the atmosphere of a segregationist rally in the '60s, in which the political opponent is demonized by means of slippery, race-baiting language

And on that point, it's hard to argue with him.

Consider: Recently McCain rhetorically asked, "Who is Barack Obama?" One asinine attendee shouted, "Terrorist!" The responses of the good, god-fearing Republicans present? Cheering and laughter. Another attendee, equally asinine and apparently channeling the ghost of Joe McCarthy, told McCain, "I'm mad! The socialists are taking over our country!"

His idiocy, of course, was applauded as well.

The Washington Post described one recent rally saying, "There were shouts of 'Nobama' and 'socialist' at the mention of the Democratic presidential nominee. There were boos, middle fingers turned up and thumbs turned down as a media caravan moved through the crowd Thursday for a midday town hall gathering featuring John McCain and Sarah Palin."

And the coup de grace has to be this story from another recent rally: An African-American member of the media was attempting to report on the rally when a Palin supporter accosted him, shouting a racial epitaph before saying, "Sit down, boy!"

Count me among those who agree with Lewis.

Count respected political analyst David Gergen among that group as well. He recently said of the rallies, "There is this free floating sort of whipping around anger that could really lead to some violence. I think we're not far from that."

While McCain is not racist and has done the best he can to control the torch-carrying mobs at his rallies, the atmosphere is no different from Wallace's. And yes, some (thought certainly not all) of the attendees are racist, even if their candidates are not.

If you disagree, I'd love to hear an alternative explanation for their deplorable attitude toward African-Americans and Arabs.

The saddest thing about these inane, bigoted and thoughtless (not to mention anti-Christian, for all the Christians attending the rallies) perversions of rhetoric is that they undermine our ability to have reasonable political dialogue.

In his response to Lewis, it's abundantly clear that McCain didn't even understand Lewis' original point. Lewis was not accusing McCain or Palin of racism, but somehow McCain read that accusation in Lewis' words.

But at this point, all I find myself capable of saying to McCain is that I admire him for his calm words and obvious respect for Lewis. It's hard to blame him for misunderstanding Lewis, given the level to which political dialogue has sunk, as indicated by the attitudes of the angry mobs that now pass for supporters at many McCain-Palin events.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that as my respect for his party has sunk to new lows, my respect for McCain has increased. Sure, his behavior has at times been frustrating or puzzling, but at least he's trying to teach the crowds at his rallies something about respect and civility.

It takes tremendous courage to get up in front of a bunch of people carrying pitchforks and say, "My opponent is a good family man," as McCain has in recent weeks. It goes without saying that the crowd's response was to boo him.

Though I don't plan on voting for him (or Sen. Obama, for that matter), McCain's handling of the mob has given me greater respect for him.

It's just too bad his party had to sell its soul for it to happen.

Jake Meador is a junior English and history major. Reach him at jakemeador@dailynebraskan.com.