By Example

Here's the thing about the leadership styles of our two candidates for President.

"I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue."

- March 14, h/t to WaPo

"Senator Obama strongly condemns the violent actions of the Weathermen group, as he does all acts of violence. "

- Obama spokesman, February, h/t WaPo again.

"Kill him!" Palin smiles indulgently and goes on.

"Off with his head!" McCain goes on.

Okay, let's give the benefit of the doubt. You can't always distinguish what people are yelling at your rallies. But this kind of stuff has been going on all week, and Sen McCain and Gov Palin can be expected, by now, to know that it's going on. Further, hypothetical benefit of the doubt: Let's assume that Obama LOVES the actions of the Weathermen, and is secretly planning the long-awaited black uprising as soon as he enters the Oval Office. In short, let's presume he's lying about his denials.

It's still important to publically denounce violence. It's kind of the job of the president to say things that DISCOURAGE anarchy. Even President Bush, in the days after 9/11, made a point of saying that people shouldn't kill Muslims in the street. Can we not even expect that level of leadership from McCain/Palin? Would it be so awful to ad a line in the stump speech along the lines of "There are all kinds of reasons to not vote for my opponent; but we're Americans and we don't threaten the people we disagree with." It's true that he made a few feints at this to a Fox News host on Tuesday but he changes his mind so often that he'll probably have to keep at it to make the idea stick.

Playing the role of concern troll here, I'd add that it's probably the relentless negative tone that's driving McCain as far down as he is right now. This morning he advocated some plan for the economy that I actually liked (and I wish I could find it now) but it struck me as sensible, positive and, well, leadershippy. I bet he'd do better if there was more positive planning and less attacking. I don't want him to do better, understand, but if you're on the way out anyway why not take the high road?