It's a new election coverage meme: The grass-roots Republican faithful see McCain floundering, and they are freaking out. Politico's Jonathan Martin covers the trend, which includes chants of "terrorist!" and "Obama Osama" at McCain rallies. But nowhere does Martin mention a key factor in why conservative fear and anger this year is so much harsher than it was when Gore or Kerry was running -- race. A significant minority of the right-wing base coming out to these events are watching a black man with a Muslim-sounding name close this election, and they are not happy. If you have any doubts about their motivations, watch these videos.
Now let me repeat: these people are in a minority. But they are part of a disturbingly ignorant, hateful minority whose motivations should not be obscured.
--Dana Goldstein
