Look, we all know that Jeff Frederick is a right-wing extremist nutcase, but he's also the head of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV). That means, when Jeff Frederick utters one of his (many) crazy remarks, he's representing the entire RPV. With that in mind, check out Frederick's latest insanity in Time Magazine:
The McCain campaign invited me to visit Frederick and the Gainesville operation on Saturday morning, to get a first-hand glimpse of its ground game in Prince William County, Virginia, a fast-growing area about 30 miles from Washington, D.C.With so much at stake, and time running short, Frederick did not feel he had the luxury of subtlety. He climbed atop a folding chair to give 30 campaign volunteers who were about to go canvassing door to door their talking points - for instance, the connection between Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden: "Both have friends that bombed the Pentagon," he said. "That is scary." It is also not exactly true - though that distorted reference to Obama's controversial association with William Ayers, a former 60s radical, was enough to get the volunteers stoked. "And he won't salute the flag," one woman added, repeating another myth about Obama. She was quickly topped by a man who called out, "We don't even know where Senator Obama was really born." Actually, we do; it's Hawaii.
As I'm sure most sane people would agree, this type of rhetoric - comparing the Democratic presidential nominee (and soon-to-be 44th President!) in any way, shape or form to the evil mastermind of 9/11 - is unacceptable. Obviously, it's false; Obama was a little kid (just 10 years old) when the Weather Underground planted a bomb in a Pentagon restroom, and Bill Ayers is NOT Barack Obama's friend). Besides being completely false (and unhinged), Frederick's comments are also ironic, given that John McCain has criticized Barack Obama for supposedly being too aggressive in his stance towards capturing or killing Osama bin Laden. It's also ironic given that John McCain says he "knows" how to get bin Laden, but won't share that information with the military, the President, the CIA, or others who might be able to act on that "knowledge."
Anyway, here's the bottom line. What Jeff Frederick said in Time Magazine is stupid, hateful, and completely beyond the pale. It's no better than the racist and anti-Muslim rantings of Bobby Lee May, who was forced to resign a few days ago as chairman of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign in Buchanan County. So, when will the "leaders" of Virginia's Republican Party - Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, etc. - demand Jeff Frederick's resignation as chairman of the RPV? When will John McCain and Sarah Palin repudiate Frederick's remarks, just as John McCain grabbed the microphone away from a bigoted supporter who called Obama an "Arab" (as if there's anything wrong with that)? If these people do NOT repudiate Frederick and force his resignation, can we conclude that they agree with his remarks? What's it gonna be, guys?
P.S. Remember, this wasn't some offhand remark by Frederick; he said it knowing that a reporter from TIME MAGAZINE was in the room taking notes for a story! Imagine what he says when the media isn't present?!?
UPDATE: I agree with The Anonymous Liberal:
...The McCain campaign is playing with fire. They are actively and intentionally encouraging racism, xenophobia, and wildly paranoid and inaccurate beliefs about who Barack Obama is. It's dangerous and if it's not stopped, it may well lead to violence. It is several orders of magnitude more serious and more reckless than even the most despicable tactics used by Republicans in recent presidential elections. When something bad happens, it will look crystal clear in retrospect what led to it. We shouldn't have to wait for that to happen.
UPDATE #2: Check out the "outright racism from the RPV," according to NLS. Believe it or not, this is from the RPV website, refers to a "Black Value System," talks about Obama being "The Messiah" and Sarah Palin as "very attractive." Jeff Frederick & Co. are truly bizarre.
That's my question. I often wonder this when I hear something Elizabeth from The View says or something Sean Hannity is spewing. Do they actually think what they're saying is the TRUTH or are they just trying to fool the ignorant public?
An Obama Administration will bring a new mission objective to the Justice Department. Unlike the Bush Administration that turned a blind eye to civil rights violations and injustice, an Obama Administration might just decide to shed the spotlight on acts of racism and xenophobia.
That's not to say it's open-season for all racists in America (after all, the 1st Amendment still protects SOME hate speech), but I have a feeling intolerance, discrimination and out-right racism will not be tolerated in a Justice Department staffed by the Obama Administration.
I can assure you, the desire to have him replaced is extremely high for Democrats as well as Republicans and Independents whom have once placed their trust in him.
Best regards,
Mike Hodge
Candidate - 52nd District House of Delegates
www.HodgeForDelegate.com
Gail Gitcho, a McCain spokeswoman, also denounced Frederick's remarks, calling them "not appropriate.""While Barack Obama is associated with domestic terrorist William Ayers, the McCain campaign disagrees with the comparison that Jeff Frederick made," Gitcho said.
It was the third time in a little more than a week that Gitcho repudiated something said or written by someone affiliated with McCain's Virginia leadership team. Last week, the head of the McCain campaign in Buchanan County in southwest Virginia was forced to resign after a column surfaced in which he made disparaging remarks about Obama, African Americans and gay people. Last weekend, the McCain campaign distanced itself from McCain's brother, Joe McCain, after he referred to Alexandria and Arlington County as "communist country."
Joe McCain apologized, saying he was trying to make a joke. But Frederick is not sorry.
"It is just the hard facts. It's terrible that it can be said, but it can," Frederick said. "It's shocking. Here is a guy who is one step away from the presidency, who is one step away from being commander and chief, who has a friend who bombed the Pentagon. It's just shocking to me." He added, "And there is no denying that Osama bin Laden had a role in bombing the Pentagon."
When will Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell condemn Jeff Frederick and demand his resignation for these outrageous comments?
"The state party projected raising at least $2 million in Virginia by November, but the returns have been paltry. Most recent disclosures show that from April 1 to June 30, Virginia Republicans began the period with $181,821 and collected just $104,934."
Great job, Jeff! Keep it up, buddy! You might just deliver us Virginia on a Silver Platter.
I understand the outrage we all feel at Frederick's comments, but is he really speaking that far from the hearts and minds of the Republican Party faithful? They are, afterall, the party of Bob "Chemical Love Canals" Marshall and George "Macaca" Allen.
So, let's do the RPV no favor and point out the flaws in their leadership. They elected him. They support him. Let them continue to do so. It only makes it that much easier for us.