This is what happens when you run a campaign based on distortions, lies and fearmongering. This is what happens when you continually ask “Who IS Barack Obama?”, implying that he’s not “one of us”. This is what happens when just about every commercial, every stump speech, every FW: FW: Fw: email claims that his opponent “pals around with terrorists” — insinuating, of course, that Obama himself IS a terrorist.
Say something enough times, and it starts to sound true. Especially to easily swayed, gullible, lower-class folk like this woman. “My friends”, this is what happens:
Kudos to John McCain for nipping this one in the bud. He started shaking his head as soon as the “A” word was mentioned, and quickly dismissed the notion. As to whether this — along with the lynch-mob-esque cries of “terrorist”, “traitor”, and “kill him!” at rallies — will be a wake-up call to his campaign as to the effects of the rampant smears? That remains to be seen.
My guess is: No.