David Gergen says McCain/Palin are inciting violence
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There was a fascinating interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper, Republican strategist Ed Rollins, Democratic strategist Paul Begala, and conservative political advisor David Gergen. Here's the link to the transcript. But the following quote from Gergen is the one that stuck out:
GERGEN: Yes. There is this -- I think one of the most striking things we've seen now in the last few days. We've seen it in the Palin rallies. We saw it at the McCain rally today. And we saw it to a considerable degree during the rescue package legislation. 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.
Masses of American voters who are already on-edge about financial issues cannot be reassured by radical Republican supporters spouting racially tinged "...voting against..." positions. After all of the years of Bush-Rove fear and smear we must believe that the electorate has become wise enough to look for answers to issues.
The more John and Sarah whip-up the hysteria by spouting lies and distortions at their invitation-only events the better for Democratic candidates, and eventually the nation and world. Let them string themselves up in this web of lies and vitriol. The growth of truth-checkers and rapid communication on the Democratic and progressive side of the political spectrum is undermining their strategy.
In reality there is very little physical threat of violence. Just the promise of further degradation of the GOP as a political party sliding into mediocrity.