"I don't trust Obama," [Gayle Quinnell, 75, of Shakopee] said. "I have read about him. He's an Arab." ... "No, ma'am," McCain said several times, shaking his head in disagreement.... - Anthony Citrano

Oh, so pandering to the lowest common denominator can backfire? Never would have guessed. - Jason Wehmhoener

who knew, right jason? - Cee Bee

He's reaping what he's sowed... - Jim McCusker

@Jason: there's gambling in this joint? ;p - Anthony Citrano

i just hurt myself laughing at this! - nick martin

what's a crazier theory: that the lady was a Democratic plant or a Republican plant? - Anthony Citrano

I can't laugh at it. I am so f'ing worried about the future. - Christopher Sacca

I believe this quote from the article says it all. "Sen. John McCain, Gov. Sarah Palin and the leadership of the Republican party have a fundamental moral responsibility to denounce the violent rhetoric that has pervaded recent McCain and Palin political rallies. When rally attendees shout out such attacks as "terrorist" or "kill him" about Sen. Barack Obama, when they are cheered on by crowds incited by McCain-Palin rhetoric -- it is chilling that McCain and Palin do nothing to object." - Jeff P. Henderson

Well, to his credit, the things he said tonight were the right things.. but it's way too little, way too late.. and seems like just another symptom of an erratic campaign. I mean he's basically fighting with the very forces they decided to whip up over the past couple of weeks. - Anthony Citrano

Being half arabic, I dont know how I feel about the statement "he's an Arab" in context with not trusting him and denouncing his character. Shows where we STILL are. - Adam Helweh

@Adam - totally agree with you. It bugs me in this context AND in the context of "Muslim" as well. - Anthony Citrano

Props to McCain for doing the right thing. In this townhall format, you don't know what you're getting. - Rodfather

dude walked straight into a klan rally or something. shameful lynchmob type mentalities, which were promoted by the mccain campaign in the first place. - Cee Bee

@Rod: yep, for a second there I thought I saw a glimpse of the guy who ran for President in 2000... - Anthony Citrano

My husband is convinced that woman who made the 'arab' statement was a plant. That's not to say that people like this don't exist, but if the whole point of this rally was to try to turn McCain's image around, it would make sense that he would take such a question so it would present the perfect photo op when he took the microphone away from the woman -- an opportunity that the media lapped up like a cat with cream. - Cecily

And yeah, I'm just that cynical when it comes to McCain. - Cecily

Having seen footage of folks at his other rallies, I can't imagine why they would need to plant someone to say something stupid. And, to be frank, McCain's campaign hasn't shown that kind of savvy in the past 6 months. And, it sounds like McCain as his most genuine. I, too, remember the pre-2004 McCain. - Jason Toney

@Jason I was just being funny re: plant. (Looks like Cecily's serious, tho.) To McCain's "evolution" I'd place it a bit earlier, just after 9-11 and Bush/Cheney's associated consolidation of power. I was actually pretty enthusiastic about the guy in early '00. - Anthony Citrano