McCain Shows Class; Supporters Act Quickly to Knock That Shit Right Off

John McCain finally stood up to some of the troglodytes who have been turning out for his rallies, and they didn't like it one bit. First he tried to assure the crowd that they really don't have to be afraid of Barack Obama, not saying explicitly he's not a terrorist, but that he's a decent man they do not need to fear, and they groaned.

Later, McCain was again pressed about Obama's "other-ness" and again he refused to play ball. "I don't trust Obama," a woman said. "I have read about him. He's an Arab."

"No, ma'am," McCain said several times, shaking his head in disagreement. "He's a decent, family man, [a] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about."

At another point, McCain declared, "If you want a fight, we will fight. But we will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." Supporters booed then also. "I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity," McCain responded. "I just mean to say you have to be respectful."

They booed their own man when he asked them to be respectful? How old are these people? Seriously, this is the culmination of the juvenile behavior we first saw at the GOP convention, only now it's mixed with an unhealthy dose of paranoia, willful ignorance, anger, and violent overtones. I do think they need to dial the ferocity back a few notches, to keep their heads from exploding when they wake up on November 5, and it's about time McCain started refuting the bullshit his supporters are spewing. He should have started a long time ago, round about the time someone asked how do we beat the bitch, but at least now maybe he's starting to see the disconnect between crowing about bipartisanship and snickering at his supporters' most over-the-top hyperbole.

Of course, when it comes to hyperbole, this is the campaign who screamed sexism and gotcha media every time someone asked exactly how long Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla and how much she relegated to her city manager when the strain of running a 6,600-person teeming metropolis got to be too much, only to come out with this earlier today. You know, before that respect directive was unleashed:

It is clear that Barack Obama just doesn't understand regular people and the issues they care about," read a statement from spokesman Brian Rogers. "Even worse, he attacks anyone who dares to question his readiness to serve as their commander in chief. Raising legitimate questions about record, character and judgment are a vital part of the Democratic process, and Barack Obama's effort to silence and shame those who seek answers should make everyone wonder exactly what he is hiding.

Brian! Dude! OMG! You're killing me here! Your man McCain is starting to reap what you all have sown, and the base is acting dangerously intractable. As in having no compunction about booing their candidate when he tells them directly to act like adults. You're veering awfully close to cat-herding territory here, and your cats have some nasty claws and teeth on them.