What was McCain thinking?

Plesae tell me we have more important issues to consider from the debate than a passing reference to McCain's opponent.

It's not racist, it's dismissive. That's not disrespectful, it's good rhetoric for a person who is aiming to become President. When he began to describe the bill and who voted for it, everyone at home knew he was referring to Obama had he said nothing. He didn't have to say, "Senator Obama voted for it." It was very clear that he was referring to Obama, so he slighted his importance by referring to him as, "that one."

This is no different then when candidates refer to their opponents as "my opponent," or "the other party's candidate." It's a successful strategy to portray lesser importance of the opposition

McCain is awesome! Keep it up Johnny!!! "That one" will be back in the affirmative action line in less then a month!

Soooooo...according to post #4, Obama is a...racist? This seems to be a trend with the McCain supporters: their favorite retort is "Nuh-uhhhh, you are!" So if somebody calls McCain a racist, the response is "Nuh-uhhh, Obama's a racist." This is an odd line of reasoning to say the least. McCain wasn't being a racist with his "that one" comment. However, his 2000 comments about his VIetnamese captors....I don't think anyone would say that wasn't a little bit racist.

Maybe McCain thought he was in the Matrix??

McCain really looks and sounds like an old man who is desperate. All he can do is pat himself on the back for his military duty. It's interesting that both his father and grandfather were admirals but not he. He was a privileged kid who was sixth from the bottom of his class. I bet the bottom five never went to flight school. I can't wait until this election is over and we have a new President Obama.

I think it was a comment meant to belittle an opponent he obviously disrespects. It gives me further reason to question how McCain as President would treat other heads of state that he does not see eye-to-eye with. I can't stomach the idea of yet another president that fits the "Ugly American" stereotype and a "my way or the highway" bravado when negotiating foreign affairs. His temper and dogma make him appear to be boorish.

I don't think it was "racially tinged" but I think that McCain clearly is annoyed that someone like him, with less experience and less time in public office, no military experience, and no foreign policy experience, is sharing the stage with him. Not to mention the fact that he's beating him. McCain can't even bear to look at Obama. He says "my opponent" more than he says "Senator Obama." I bet it annoys McCain that Barack doesn't even show respect by calling him Senator McCain (he calls him "John"). McCain must be angry that Obama is beating him when, in his view, he shouldn't even be on the same field.

Oh please. Now "that one" is racist?

this for Posted by Not A Bias Media Lover

You really need to wake up and see what is going on in this country. To consider McCain and Palin as real candidates is absurd. McCain is out of touch with the world and Palin is a joke.

We do not need a person in the white house who handles things the old way, we need fresh minds and someone who sees the big picture.

The remark was not racist. It just shows McCains real side of his personality. He has that same smug look as Bush and and has the same views as Bush.

Post #11

McCain is awesome??? Are you on drugs? I bet you think Bush is doing a great job in office as well. Wake Up will You!!!!

You are a sad person!

Wrong, he was not looking at Obama when he said it. He was plain rude. McCain was even ruder when he would not shake Obama hand at end of debate... and he says he reaches accross all lines...

The debate was all about "me vs. him", "us vs. them", "right vs. wrong". McCain was trying a little too hard to come off as casual and light. Nothing more. Molehills into mountains.

"That one" is a racist and dehumanizing slur that reveals the disgusting predisposition of the Republican party. You just know he wanted to say something else, but he caught himself. McCain is a straight-up clueless racist and his mind is as twisted as his bizarre Bush-loving politics.

Give me a break. Of all the substantive issues discussed last night the debate is reduced to a brouhaha regarding two words. Ill chosen, perhaps. Racist, ridiculous.

I agree completely with not a bias media lover number 4. 100%. Nobody has the right to call John McCain racist. it was clever and it made me laugh and even if Obama was white he would have said the same thing. The media blows thigs WAY out of proportion and if Obama had called McCain "that one" they wouldnt think anything of it which is ridiculous. And yes number 12, Obama does have associations with unpatriotic white-haters (yes, this is racism too) who calls white people blue eyed devils and he refers to one of these associations as his spiritual mentor and a father figure. How is this not racism? Not to mention Obama's white hating wife who apparently has not been proud of her country until recently. I cannot understand why anyone would want Barack Obama as president of our country.

You have GOT to be kidding me . . . someone actually took the time to write this article. Obviously, you don't have anything better to do. Aren't you lucky the Globe is willing to pay for lack of talent.

"Racially tinged?" You have got to be kidding me.

I'm sorry, was John McCain supposed to feel positive toward his Vietnamese captors? Was he supposed to express love toward people who took years of his liberty and left him a physical shell of his former self? As for the racist nature of the comment, that is ridiculous. He was indeed being dismissive and pointing a finger at one who he deemed as making a poor decision. Finally, the Globe is really not even trying to attempt to be the least bit impartial anymore, so anyone who is anticipating that happening is waiting for the cows to come home. Just look at the editorial cartoons that come up every day. They are at least 20-1 negative toward McCain and Palin. I admit that they are more entertaining subjects, but it only adds to the perception and reality that this paper will attack from all angles to bash the only hero running in this election.

Well, if Obama was asian it would have been easier for McCain. McCain could have just said, "that gook".

To Post #11: Thanks, Brian. You've really added a lot to the discussion.
I think McCain's going to need your kind of support after Nov 4th when
he tries to figure out what to do with the reminder of his political career.

He's just mad because he's losing and his VP is an idiot who didn't even know the name of the commander in Afghanistan.

I don't think it was a racially charged comment. However it was disrespectful. When I watched McCain's behavior, grins, and certainly what he said during the debate, the first thing i thought of as a comparison was a weasel. Since you can't say something like that and not defend your opinion, for those of you who watched the sitcom "Full House," Dave Couliet, characterized as "Joey Gladstone" did a great ventriloquist act of a wood chuck. DEAD ON. I'm sure You Tube has a video.

To prevent further confusion on this point, perhaps from now on MCain should refer to "that one" by his full Muslim name "Barack Hussein Obama"

People get over it, remember too that Barack Hussein Obama skated after he referred to his grandmother as a "typical white person"

A person in the early stages of dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's) will lose the ability to recall names and nouns and will use generic descriptions instead, to conceal the sudden inability to recall. It's something to consider.

McCain could always work in the Bud Brewery... oh wait Bud was acquired by a InBev out of Belgian..... Time to pull up a rocking chair and wait until the grim reeper comes..

Goodbye McCain and your old school thought process.

Racist ? typical response from the "truth squad"; aka moonbats ! you can't call him that one ,hussein ,his middle name;can't delve into his background, only Sara Palins,lets face it,the Globe,times cnn;nbc,cbs. are all in the tank for this fraud !God bless America ! oh wait we won't be able to use God anymore come jan. if OBama is elected

Is that the type of dismissive comment you want a potential leader to make in negotiations with the international community? I agree Senator McCain is elderly and probably just got confused as to who he was speaking.

If using the term "lipstick on a pig" when talking about policy details means Palin is ugly, then saying "that one" when actually refering to a person, could easly be seen as racially dismissive. I'm surprised he didn't say "that boy".

this is only the begeining....if "that one" is racial you know what will happen when NoBAMA moves to the White house!!! Oh my God did I write "White" House???
Is that OK Nobamamaniacs?

Don't tell me we have to bite our tongue everytime we call Obama anything other than Mr.President(if he became one).This is nothing other than playing the race card!

"That one" would have been the correct phrase had he posed the rhetorical question "Know WHICH CANDIDATE voted for it?" instead of asking "Know WHO voted for it?" By asking WHO, the grammatically correct rhetorical reply would have been a name, or the pronoun "he" did. So what we have here is little more than one more example that people do not necessarily speak with grammatical precision when on stage, under the lights. No one does. Then the rest of it is all hubris advanced by people who are going to see the worst in everyone. In terms of the debate, it was a great chance for McCain to say loud and clear that Obama voted for a Bush-Cheney measure. Maybe he felt that would be too insulting, so he backed off. Good grief, is there molehill that has yet to be made into a mountain?

To poster #27: No, McCain certainly should not have felt "positively" or "expressed love" for his captors. But he also doesn't get a license to use racial slurs against them by virtue of being their POW. The problem does not arise because his captors deserve respect; the problem arises because the word is offensive to a much larger group of Vietnamese people than the group he directed it towards (including many good, innocent people). If a person cannot understand that racial slurs have no place in our society, then they really shouldn't run for president.

Dendogg - I don't think you understand the meaning of the word racism. Obviously McCain is going to feel hatred toward his captors, but that doesn't mean that the entire Vietnamese race did those things to him or supported doing those things. He has a right to be angry, but that doesn't mean racial slurs are acceptable. McCain's comment last night may not have been racist, but it was certainly disrespectful. I agree with those of you who said you fear how he would treat foreign leaders if he treats his campaign opponent this way.
Also, saying racist slurs and being supposely "connected" to someone who says racial slurs are two entirely different things..

Nobama is such a phony SOB. I can't believe the people that support him don't see it! I mean, I can understand being PO'd with the Bush administration...but to give this phony the keys to the White House? Are you people insane! Here is a guy that says he is going to tax only the people that provide jobs in this country..essentially decimating the middle class and this is a guy you support! You people have completely lost it! I could see the outrage with Kerry. Although he is a liberal at least I respected him. How can you even respect Nobama? This guy associates with known domestic terrorists and he associates with a known racist minister! At least I can say, when hell breaks lose and Nobama is in office and completely destroys the middle-class...at least I can say he didn't get my vote...God help us all if he gets elected...especially with a Democratically controlled Congress!

post 37...well you see, since Barak Hussein Obama was the one insulting Palin, it is perfectly OK because he is black not white. So of course the media makes nothing of it and Osama is still viewed as a gift from the heavens to all these unpatriotic ignorant obamamaniacs. But since McCain is white and he simply reffered to Osama as "that one", he is a racist old prick.

What is this country coming to? We might as well change the name white house to someting like "black house" or "rainbow house" because that is racists to all those lefty liberals out there too.

I'm just hoping and praying to God that McCain wins because he is a good man who has actually fought and sacrificed his physical well being for this country and is a thousand times more respectful than Barak Hussein Osama is.

Hey Linda, in the first debate, Obama called McCain 'Jim', 'Tom' and 'John.' Does your absurd dementia theory apply to him as well? Loony.

SO nice to see so-called Republicans (the body snatchers who have taken over the GOP) whining and sniveling. Kick 'em while they're down and keep 'em there. None of this reaching-out stuff. It was almost worth the last eight years to see this disintegration on the right. Almost.

# 20. Did you not watch the debate last night. McCain did approach Obama and they shook hands just before Tom asked them to move away from the teleprompter they were standing in front of so he could read his closing statement. I don't know how people who don't even watch - or if they do, don't pay attention to everything that happens and is said in - the debates.

The biggest concern I have in this election is the exactly what McCain in his closing remarks... the positin of President of the US does not lend itself to on the job training. Obama has less expereince than Palin, yet all in the MSM and the liberal loonies (especially here in MA) say that Obama is qualified for President and Palin is unqualified for VP.Give me a break! Obama is a great orator, but that's it.

The other thing that really ticks me off is that you are not allowed to ask any questions about Obama's past. The MSM goes after every single detail in the Repub candidates background, trying to dig up dirt on anything they can. Yet here you have a Dem presidential candidate with absolutely no significant expereince, who has never authored any legislation (but has written 2 autobiographies), has ties to some very questionable people and organizations; but if you ask any questions about his past, you're a racist. WTF people! Why does everybody else's background, expereince and record count and is open for scrutiny but not Obama's?

It makes no sense!

"That One" meant "That Liberal" so keep up the racist finger pointing because it just makes the real racist pretty plain to see.

The comment wasn't racist in and of itself. It is rude and dismissive. But in its tone it is a signal to many of McCain's followers to bring out the racist claptrap about Obama (less qualified, affirmative action baby, white hating wife, etc.). Witness the responses above. So, no it wasn't racist, but it was clearly pandering to racism.

Given the boat load of distortions and outright lies that we've been treated to in this campaign, it's ridiculous to make a big deal out of McCain calling Obama 'that one.' Clearly McCain was trying to establish a connection with the crowd and give the audience the idea that 'you & I are in this together, but he's different from us.' It's just a campaign tactic, nothing more.

There are plenty of real examples of racism out there. Foon Rhee, you're doing society a disservice when you suggest that a harmless comment like McCain's is racist. It's like crying wolf. People will then assume that actual incidences of racism are just more frivolous claims like the one that you and others are making here.

If McCain wins then Palin will be parking her double wide on the front lawnof the White house. Her teenage daughter and boyfriend who does not wants kids can live in it at the expense of the taxpayers. Taxpayers being the middle class and not McCains rich buddies, who happen to be buddies with the other idiot...Bush.

imagine if McCain wins and then croaks while in office? Can you imagine Palin as President? Oh God the end of the world will be upon us. She'll be in the back of the white house in a bikini shooting off rounds of a 12 guage shotgun. We loaded up the truck and moved to Virginia... Washington that is... D.C.

It is ludicris that people still think that Obama is Muslim because of his name. He is Christian! Not that it should really matter. And yes his father was Muslim, but it is entirely possible that McCain's adoptive daughter from Bangladesh's birth parents were Muslim, does that make her a terrorist? Emphasizing Obama's middle name as if it somehow makes him evil and relates him to Saddam is like saying that everyone named Adolf is exactly like Hitler and is just ignorant.
Barack and Hussein are Semitic names, just like the first names of many of our previous presidents like: Thomas Jefferson , James Madison, James Monroe, James Polk, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and the list goes on.

McCain is a sad figure, really. If we evaluate his record objectively he's accomplished extremely little for a guy who's been in in the Senate for 26 years. Throughout his political career virtually all his `reform' initiatives failed to materialize. I think he's bitter about this. I also think he's peeved that a relatively inexperienced person (Obama) is perceived by the majority as being a better candidate. The problem is that McCain cannot hide his disdain for Obama, revealing not only his feisty nature, but also his belligerent, resentful, and condescending side. It seems he has it in for those more successful than he. Remember the Republican primary when he treated Romney with absolute derision. At one time I respected him as a Senator, as an ex POW, and as a candidate. I no longer do. I see him as a crusty, out-of-touch, angry old man with outdated ideas, whose human side is only revealed in the presence of fellow military men.

Did I think it was racist? Certainly not. It was very disrespectful, very unprofessional... very UN-Presidential... but I was already planning to vote for "that one" anyway.

Nice to see the election brings out the worst in people.

well mccain already tell alan instead of oliver about one of the man asking a question so maybe he forgot the name of his oponent. he doesn't want to look at him in the eyes, doesn't want to talk with him, now he doesn't want to tell his name like the bad guy in harry potter's books. maybe saying "obama" is forbidden for the republican retro white guy.

In the context of the statement, McCain was simply trying to say, "Which one of us voted for it? That one." Calling it racist is to trivialize real racism. It was awkwardly worded, but nearly everything McCain says these days is. He is simply not the sharp-minded guy he was back in 2000.

May be McCain meant to say "The One"? There is a rumor that McCain is a HUGE fan of Jet Li ...

51- well if obama wins we will probably have a repeat of 9/11, the use of the word "God" will be banned, the name of the white house will be changed, and our country will be under a bunch of white-hating influences. This is not racism- this is a fact. It is a fact that Obama has a "spiritual mentor" and "father figure" who hates white people and bashes them daily in his sermons calling them "blue-eyed devils" and using phrases like "god damn america"- just obama's books. It is also a fact that the wife holds anger agaonst white people and has not even been proud of ehr country as a whole until recently- a direct quote from her.

People need to stop crying with joy at Obama's speeches and rallies and actually start THINKING and reading facts and seeing him for who he is- an unqualified man with bad associations who should not even be a presidential candidate, let alone president

Nice to see everyone talking about the issues. Why would either candidate address the problems we face in this country when it's so much easier to parse a two-word sentence that lacks both a verb and a proper noun?

Ignorant debates like this lead me to believe we deserve the shoddy, money-grubbing, political "leadership" that both parties have been so happy to foist upon us.

Given the state of the economy and the last 8 horrible years we have had with Bush in office I am surprised that our country has not started to riot.

Yes the worst can be brought out in people, but look at what we have been dealing with for far too long.

As I said we need a fresh mind in the White House. I do not care if the person is black, white, purple, male or female.... If they are qualified to make proper decisions regarding the US, then you have my vote. If you are old school and care about the wealthy only and have total disregard for the rest of the people in the US, then you have lost my vote.

Post 14 from Joe D

It appears to me from your statement that Senator McCain's not reaching a flag rank that you know nothing about Military Service. He opted out of the military, perhaps after 30 years of service he might have been an Admiral, yet he chose a different path, Military Service should not quality nor disqualify anybody from being President, howevr, with Senator McCain having been in the military it does give him a perspective that Senator Obama does not have...It is easy to say that you can seek the advice and consent of the higest ranking officers, to listen to them, but when they leave the room and the President is left alone to make a decision, I would prefer somebody with service, perspective, somebody who has endured suffering, because it is that balance and awareness that may keep him from commiting troops to harms way, and it is also that perspective that will allow him to commit our troops in harms way.....McCain knows if it is worth it..he will be pragmatic in his decisions, not idealistic, you need to know one thing Joe D, the rest of the world does not share Obamas lets all get along and talk about it mentality, they kill first and and never ask questions afterward....Yes he is old, but still wise enough not be pushed around nor be a bully....so, get educated, serving in the military is a brotherhood, so dont say he is patting himself on the back...he is part of a faternity that you obviously know nothing about, and maybe Senator Obama will be a fine President and Commander in Chief, the point I am making is simple, the mere fact that you and I can have this exchange is obvious, people like McCain served their Nation in uniform and put their lives on the line....dont forget that pal....you sound like a spoiled self-indulgent. bitter person...if McCain were a child of privilage he would have received a deferment, he went to the Naval Academy and had a legal obligation to serve for 4 years...well he spent more than that in the prsion camp......does it make him the better candidate, perhaps not, but what it does show is you are a disrespectful citizen....do something for the country except show us all just how bitter you are. serve your commuinty and nation, but dont you dare insult anybody who has ever worn this Nation's uniform in combat....

Smarmy and condescending--but McCain is desperate so I was hardly surprised.

McCain's remark was racist just as Obama "pals around with terrorists" and his Iraq strategy is "raising the white flag of surrender" McCain and Palin have so twisted the conversation with their lack of civility, honesty and inegrety that they deserve any slam they get

Sort of like the first debate when Obama called McCain Jim, and John, lol. No one commented on that. I support Obama, I just think the nit picking should stop.

Sometimes stupid people hang themselves...all you need to do is just give them enough rope!

Well McCain, "That One" is going to the White House while you and your cheerleader can go back to your desert holes after November. I can't wait to say "McCain Who?"

It is clear from this nonsensical conversation that most people here don't even know what the word racism means, either its dictionary definition or its sociological definition. Racism means a *SYSTEM* of preference and bias and as such there is only white racism in this country at this time. It's not a matter of superior morality, it's a matter of systemic support. Whatever one's personal biases, prejudices or bigotry, it doesn't rise to the level of racism unless it has the support of the society's institutions. So those who are throwing back the racism charge (and didn't "Nuh, uh you started it!" get old once you were over 10 years old?), need to stop and develop an understanding of what racism really is. Comment #49 has it right - McCain's comment was not racist, but it hints at the dismissive language used against people of color - "you people" for example.

The idea that black people, despite their very negative interactions with this country (fighting in a segregated army, slavery, Jim Crow, which continues today, etc.), should have and express patriotism in exactly the same way as white people is racist because it insists that white people's feelings and expression are the norm that everyone else must follow, in spite of our different histories. So Michelle Obama must feel and express patriotism just like white people or be considered un-patriotic.

I have to laugh at the complete stupidity of this article and point out that while it wasn't the best thing to say it wasn't the worst thing by far that has been said during this campaign.

What really bothers me is Obama's lack of respect for McCain. How many times did he refer to him as 'John' like they were high school buddies or something? It's Senator McCain not 'John'.

The one time that a comment doesn't fit the media lefts perfect depecition of Obama it's off to the presses. Seriously though - rewatch the debates and look for how many times that Barak Obama calls senator McCain 'John' - it's actually quite gross.

While Obama will offer change - it will not be the type of change you are expecting - you can write it down, criticize me all that you like - Obama wants to run a socialist state in which our level of services will fall to 3rd world levels with more handouts that you can even imagine. We will be reeling from his presidency for years to come should he prove successful on November 4th. You're talking about someone who has less than a complete first term as senator attempting to be president - someone who has less than 10 years of official political experience with grand ideas that lack any real plan (explain to me if you will on how you plan to pay for all of your social programs and cut taxes to the middle class)?

Sure it's nice and you feel good about saying that you're going to vote for Obama when you're talking with your dinner guests but when you go into the voting booth - do you have the stones to vote in a 1st term junior senator into the oval office when the curtain closes behind you?

I think it's interesting that no one has thought more deeply about what "That one" might mean. My father is in the early stages of Alzheimer's and when he forgets someone's name he'll often use statements like this. "That one", "the other one with you", "the other person" etc. I know that happens with other Alzheimer patients as well. (And it even happens to others of us who don't have Alzheimer's!) I think McCain just had a mental lapse and honestly couldn't think of his name and "that one" is just what came out.

y'all are crazy. McCain isn't a racist anymore than Obama is. And now I'm not saying neither of them boys ain't racist, I'm just sayin....

And for all you BG drones, this paper is very biased. Just look at the source for polling information. Pretty sad. There is a whole lot of interesting and very important topics to discuss with the election coming up and the BG wastes time with "that one". Nobama '08!

Looking at Gov. Palin's and Senator McCain's events over the weekend and how people in the audience were able to call Senator Obama a "terrorist" and say "kill him" out in the open, it appears that the Republican campaign is trying to instill fear and paint an image of Obama as "the other, not one of us." Then, in the debate, Senator McCain referred to his opponent as "that one" to drive their weekend point across that he is something to fear because he is different "from us."

I thought it was humorous. And of course it was a put-down. It's an old school style of talking used by my parents' generation. Only a thin-skinned PC person would be offended by it.

This is what party politics have brought our nation to. If you are a Democrat or Obama supporter, or if you are a Republican or McCain supporter, you can not bring yourself to look at the most important election of our time in terms of what is needed for us as Americans. It has come down to "us" versus "them". If someone does not have similar beliefs as you do, we now want to engage them in slurs and not in conversation.
I for one will not do this. If anyone wants to have a sensible conversation about it, let me know, but don't hate someone else because they think differently. Stop listining to the "party" spin people tell you what to think, Think for yourselves. Everytime you use either sides talking points, that is less time that you use your own mind. Please think about it, when we think for ourselves and cut through all the crap that both sides spin, we may be able to move forward as a nation. I will not slur John McCain because I disagree with him. I will discuss my difference in opnion with him. But I will not hate him for our differences. Party politics wants us all to pick one side and hate anyone that disagrees with them. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!!!

"Barack Hussein Obama"

the right: he's secretly a Muslim
the left: no, he's Christian!

In this day and age, both sides are implying that Americans will never vote for a Muslim. Obama clearly is not, but if he were, it should not make any difference.

Another skewed perspective is "4000 US casualties Iraq." No one ever mentions the Iraqi death toll in the same breath. Estimates are as low as 100,000 and as high as 1 million.

This is the best american politicians have to offer.
- a lame duck who took cocaine as a youth
- a grumpy, ailing senator who has a poor record of getting anything passed
- an inexperienced senator who took cocaine as a youth
- a severely under qualified Governor
- old white guy who says stupid things (sorry I don't know much about Biden)

I am sick of under achievers running this country. Raise the standard of government. There is no "big government" or "small government." I want a government that works.

The fact that someone would take ANY article written about the campaign by Boston.com seriously is laughable!!
You guys will grasp at any straw you can reach! Have you no shame?!?!

John McCain has no respect for any whiney liberals so why should Barack Obama be any different. The comment wasn't racial, it was dismissive. In the shadow of men like John McCain, Barack Obama is an elitist liberal coward who's vision is to turn this into a social country. The junior senator from Illinois isn't fit to stand on the same stage as John McCain.

Post #59 - Are you ok? Obviously you fell for the line Bush gave back when he ran for a 2nd term. If you do not vote for me then another terrorist attack will happen.

You should really think before you write.

I think everyone ought to strat giving Senator John McCain some respect. We shoudl all know he deserves it. This man actually went to Vietnam, unlike many draft dodgers, and fought hard for his country. Not only did he fight, but he was also physically tortured and had his legs broken many times and suffers even today from what he went through. John McCain is such na honorable man and instead of being bashed by ignorant liberals he should be appreciated and thanked. Sure, Obama has gone further than any other black politician which is great. But we should think beyond this and really focus on how he could ruin our country with his white hating associations and socialist ideas. Go McCain!

Well, if McCain wasn't being his usual racist crank self, he was being dismissive and deeply condescending to his opponent. After a casual survey of the comments listed here, it's clear by the response of those who appreciate McCain's mannerisms, McCain certainly caters to the tempers of bigots.
Fortunately, Senator Obama is the better man and never resorted to such gimmicks. Instead he clearly pointed out how destructive the Republican policy for state by state health care would be to all consumers. I'm voting for maturity instead of more age old cronyism from one of the Keating Five.

To Bill M and Shane (comments 35 and 43):

McCain's comment was not racist, in my opinion. I don't understand where anyone has obtained the idea that Obama or any Democrat for that matter wants to oppress religious beliefs. Connecting religious oppression to either candidate is an ignorant thing to do. Also, I'd like to point out that both candidates have a considerable amount of appeal in this country.
Shane: where do you find the nerve to call Obama an SOB? Nothing either candidate has done warrants this kind of treatment. Both his political and personal history clearly indicate that he works for the benefit of the middle class and respects all Americans (which you clearly don't) and will work toward everyone's benefit, and not pander to the oil industry. Both candidates have been good politicians and have made mistakes, I just happen to disagree with how McCain would run the country.

I think it was ugly, real ugly. I've never heard anyone in a debate at that level stoop to such ugliness. You can't go any lower than that, calling the savior of the world, the Man who parts the seas, the Messiah of 2008, "that one"! Just brutal, a mortal sin for which McCain will be sent to hell for all eternity!

Consciously racist – no; revealingly clueless – yes. McCain is an angry old man with world views and prejudices firmly rooted in the mid 20th century. World dynamics and the roll and power of the US has, and is changing. Electing someone President who doesn't understand that is dangerous. McCain's talk about victory in Iraq at a time when our military is depleted and our economy almost bankrupt exemplifies his (and Bush's) complete misunderstanding of Al-Quida's tactics and goals, and highlights his basic inability to incorporate 21st century reality into his outdated ideas. The last 8 years of sporadic, erratic, uninspiring, and often simply absent leadership from the White House has been an unprecedented disaster on virtually every domestic and international issue, and 4 more years of McSame is frightening.

JimJohnWho, the first debate moderator's name is Jim, as in Jim Lehrer. Obama was referring to the moderator. Nice try to make things up, though.

I definitely noticed it and repeated it out loud to my boyfriend after we heard it. It was dismissive for sure - too bad for McCain that - "that one" did so much better

I really don't think this was a racially tinged comment. It was rude and it was disrespectful but not racist. I don't think he forgot Obama's name either he just said it without thinking. It seems to me that people want to read too much into every little thing. He made a gaffe and that is all there is to the situation.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

I am hoping that race decides this election. Everyone who supports No Bahma is saying it is wrong. I do not think so. After all if No Bahma was white he would have never made it past Iowa. So since it is a race issue that got him here, hopefully it will be race that sends his not ready to lead butt back to the Senate where he belongs.
For those who would call me a racist, save your breath, because I’m not. Far as I’m concerned America cheated them selves. The best most qualified candidate of them all Condi Rice didn’t run. Because of that we all lost.

I agree McCain is an old man who talks about the future but probably wont be around to see any of it happen. Thats scary. Imagine Sarah Palin as President.

It's not racist. I grew up in a large family and when you can't remember someone's name because you have too many floating around in your head, you say, "that one", instead of breaking up your thought pattern into small or awkward fragments that would be harder to follow. You may lose people's attention, or they may become fixated on your pause rather than your message. I'm sure it was nothing more. I don't think John McCain has ever been viewed as a racist.

But Obama still looks like the bigger statesman by not needing to do the same and not reacting, regardless of intent. Very cool.

"What really bothers me is Obama's lack of respect for McCain. How many times did he refer to him as 'John' like they were high school buddies or something? It's Senator McCain not 'John'."

While I think McCain was dismissive rather than racist, this comment is absurd. To you, he would be Sen. McCain. To me, he would be Sen. McCain. But it is hardly rude for any of the candidates to call the others by their first names -- they are peers, and three of them co-workers. Obama calling McCain John is no more rude than Palin's assumption that she can call Sen. Biden Joe. By virtue of her position, she too has become a peer. Or do you call all of your co-workers Mr Whosit and Mrs Whatever? How very un-American of you. *grin*

To "One of the Few" above - a lesson on professional protocol. Calling a fellow senator by his first name is a right because they are colleagues - they can call each other John and Barack and Joe. Even Ms. Manners would have no problem with that. Now Sarah Palin on the other hand, asked Sen. Biden if she could call him "Joe" which was appropriate to ask for that privilege. Why she then resorted to calling Sen. Obama "Barack" several times during her debate confuses me, since she has absolutely no right to do so. She should be using his title or his full name. I haven't heard either Senator Obama or Senator Biden call her simply, "Sarah." However, John McCain did call Barack Obama to his face "Obama", which is insulting.

DON'T YOU ALL KNOW THE LEFTIST MEDIA IS OUT TO KILL US ALL?! EVERYONE IS IN THE TANK FOR OBAMA, THEY ALL LOVE HIM AND ANYTHING HE DOES IS GREAT! IT IS A CONSPIRACY, THE COMMIES ARE TAKING OVER, THEY WON'T PRINT ANYTHING THAT WILL MAKE OBAMA LOOK BAD! THEY LOOK AT EVERY LITTLE THING MCCAIN SAYS AND POINT OUT WHAT THE 'FACTS' ARE! THEY JUST DON'T LIKE MCCAIN AND WILL CRITICIZE ANYTHING THAT HE SAYS THAT IS WRONG! THAT'S WHY I WATCH FOX NEWS BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE A BIG DEAL WHEN MCCAIN MISSPEAKS, THEY DON'T EVEN MENTION IT! THEY JUST LET MCCAIN TELL ME WHAT HE WANTS ME TO THINK, AND DON'T CONTRADICT IT! UNLIKE THOSE JOURNALISTS WHO ARE IN THE TANK!

Was McCain in WWII or WWI?

Racist? I dunno. Un-presidential? You betcha!

But hey, I've already decided, I'm votin' for That One, so no big deal...

Look where we are now...it looks lke Obamah. the "Messiah" has a lock on being the first black and white president of the USA. Good for him. I don't think he needs to pull out the race card at this point. There is no way that comment was even close to racist. I never thought that a first term senator, that has only served one third of that term(two years as he has been running for President the other two) would have any chance of being the most powerful man in the world. Isn't America great? God save us and the rest of the world!

I am an Obama supportor but it never even occured to me that this was racist. I am sure Mr. McCain would have said the exact same words were Mr. Obama white. The real issue is the bill in question.

C'mon people! It's no big deal. He is just a forgetful old man. How many words did forget last night? How many sentences trailed off in a haze.? His Depends were probably full and his mind was elsewhere.

Dear leftequalspink:
Please quit flaming. Turn off your CAPS key. We can't hear you when you are shouting. It is the first rule of blog etiquette.

What do they say on Fakes news about Barack Obama? I bet you like what you hear? Do you let Sean Hannity tell you what to think? Do you let Bill O'Reilly tell you who's a pinhead? Do you think Katie Couric is a pinko because she finally asked real questions? Come out from under your rock. The media is called the watchdog for a reason - they are supposed to ask tough questions.

please leave that old guy with old mind alone ,some one should tell him this is 2009 not 1950's.

Fox just lets McCain tell you what he wants you to think. And you think it.
And you buy it.
Because that's what he wants you to think.
I think I have discovered the real problem in this country.
When we herd like sheep to the "wisdom" of the same old tune, we might as well not even bother with the whole "democracy" facade any longer.
When dissent is branded as "unpatriotic" and "criminal" why even keep up the charade. You want fascism? Go ahead and vote for McCain and Palin--fox will certainly tell you what they want you to think!!

To me, an independent voter - Sen. McCain appeared to be dismissive towards Sen. Obama, as he has seemed at other moments during the first debate. But what was more troubling than Sen. McCain's comment was observing his physical condition during the debate. His breathing sounded winded through much of it, a few times he seemed unsteady on his feet, holding onto the back of his chair and occasionally he seemed to lose track of his thoughts. He doesn't appear to be as vigorous as I have seen him in the recent past and his good humor has evaporated - which as a voter makes me wonder if there is something we are not being told. From the post debate coverage I saw, Sen Obama stayed and spoke to the people in the audience, Sen. McCain left quickly after it was over. I hope Sen. McCain is not ill, but if he is, he should disclose this information immediately.

I'd like to say two things:

My support is currently leaning toward Obama, as I believe a great deal in him.

For someone to try tie the "that one" remark to racism is quite possibly the stupidest thing that I will have read in the news this week (and you KNOW there's some stiff competition out there...)

That one,this one,the only one, nothing dramatic here.Despite all the finger pointing one of these candidates could end up our next President.That means we will wholeheartedly throw our support behind him and all tis and tat during the campaign now we will bag them in our bags of personal opinions to use again in 2012.It's not the end of the world my friends there's always a tomorrow after today.

Hey #32: You got something against Muslims? Frankly, we are all tired of the race baiting, Muslim bashing, bigoted crap spewing out of the right. Cannot wait until these jerks are out of office.

When I heard "that one", I immediately was taken aback. I found it very dismissive - beyond the "he's wrong" rhetoric. It was derisive and rude. Just as noteworthy as McCain's apparent refusal to shake Obama's hand after the debate. Why is this important? Because a major part of foreign relations is being diplomatic when you don't feel like it; when all eyes are on you, you are representing the people of the United States -- not your personal feelilngs about a person. It makes McCain seem less than presidential; in fact, it makes McCain seem petulant.

Of course McCain's "that one" didn't have racial overtones.

It was just like Ross Perot's "you people": an expression of love and admiration.

"That one" was dismissive and disrespectful, but I think Mrs. Obama has the right idea.

Talk about the issues:
*an economy in the dumps because of deregulation
*tax cuts for billionaires in the middle of a recession & huge deficit
*cost of Iraq in blood: over 4000 American soldiers dead & tens of thousands wounded, not to mention hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians
*financial cost of Iraq to the taxpayer:
per month - $10.3 billion;
per Week - $2.4 billion;
per day - $343 million;
per hour - $14 million!

McCain & Palin's only issue is "Drill Baby Drill!" and it would take at least 10 years to get there. We wouldn't see a DROP of oil during McCain's presidency. That's why they talk about lipstick and Ayers and "small town values," etc.

Republicans are good at slime. Talking about the issues and McCain loses.

"How many times did he refer to him as 'John' like they were high school buddies or something?"

They are colleagues in the Senate. It is appropriate for Obama to refer to McCain as "John". The fact that McCain doesn't reciprocate is a campaign tactic: McCain wants to present himself as the maverick outsider; ridiculous given his 26 years in the Senate (ineffectual though they hay have been).