Newsweek reports that not only were the reports that folks attending a McCain rally yelled "kill him" likely false -- but also that Obama knew these reports were false before using them in last week's debate:
"During a heated moment in his final presidential debate with Sen. John McCain, Sen. Barack Obama noted the anger of some supporters at rallies for McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. "All the public reports suggested," Obama said, that people shouted "things like 'terrorist' and 'kill him'." Making a death threat against a presidential candidate can be a crime. But even before Obama cited "reports" of the threats at the debate, the U.S. Secret Service had told media outlets, including NEWSWEEK, that it was unable to corroborate accounts of the "kill him" remarks—and according to a law-enforcement official, who asked for anonymity when discussing a political matter, the Obama campaign knew as much. Now some officials are disgruntled that Obama gave added credence to the threat by mentioning it in front of 60 million viewers. At this point in the campaign, said one, candidates will "say anything to make a particular point." This, of course, is merely the latest example of Obama's willingness to inaccurately portray himself as a victim and flagrantly gin up sympathy votes, while simultaneously, ignoring the really, really objectionable behavior his own supporters engage in (viewer discretion advised).
|