The presidential candidates had their second debate on Tuesday, and it’s safe to say that it was more of the norm. Sen. McCain gave answers that were broad and vague, proposed an economic solution that didn’t make sense, and used the phrase “my friends” 22 times. On the other hand, Sen. Obama sometimes gave too much answer. Don’t get me wrong, I am a full-blown Obama supporter, but there were a few times I wished he would’ve cut his responses short. However, I’ll take a long-winded reply over an unclear, anemic one any day, especially considering that these guys are interviewing for the position of president of the United States.

That being said, something else occurred in the political world this week that I believe is more important. John McCain and Sarah Palin are taking this campaign to dangerous new levels. Several news outlets have been showing footage of their rallies, at which some speakers referred to Obama by his full name, Barack Hussein Obama. Naturally, Team McPalin would never personally use his middle name in a speech (which only proves that they’re fully aware of its implications), and they are quick to defend their fellow Americans’ right to free speech (they’re patriots!). But you must think I’m as stupid as the bigoted jerks that make those statements if you think I’m buying that excuse for one second. McPalin knows exactly what they’re doing. This week during a rally in Clearwater, Fla., Sarah Palin said that Obama “pals around with terrorists” and “is not a man who sees America the way that you and I see America.” And she said this dressed in angelic white, no less. Also this week, Cindy McCain criticized Obama for voting against funding for her son, who serves in the U.S. military, even though her husband did the same thing. The Republican Machine used to simply nauseate me, now it just pisses me off. They are implicating that Obama is a menacing threat to America; he isn’t like “you and I.” I’d like to speak candidly about the 400-pound gorilla in the room. This tactic is playing directly to America’s deep, dark, dirty little secret: racism still exists. There are people in this country that simply do not want a black president. And if they can hate him because he is “Muslim terrorist,” they don’t have to admit that they truly hate him because his skin is brown. Face it, if Barack Obama had blond hair and blue eyes, this would not be an issue. McPalin knows they can cast doubt on Obama’s character by merely questioning it. I’m ok with that, but do it honorably. After all, no one really knows who the hell Sarah Palin is, but you don’t see Team Obiden painting her as some extremist (even though you can Google her name and find video of her being exorcised by a witchdoctor and pictures of her aiming an assault rifle at your face). Prematurely pulling the race card, you say? Then explain why Palin suddenly wants to re-explore Obama’s relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Here’s why this particular situation infuriates me: Politically speaking, McPalin should be targeting undecided and independent voters. One can assume that voters who are still undecided this late in the game want to learn more about the candidates and their views on the issues that affect America before they make their decision; they are not interested in hearing this lipsticked hogwash. To put it in other words, by attacking Obama’s character, McPalin is not going to win enough votes to even up the polls, let alone pull ahead. So what are they up to? The cynic in me thinks that they are enticing hate just to bring Obama bodily harm. Frankly, there are some brainless, narrow-minded idiots who attend McPalin rallies, and they are fuming. And to them, McPalin is providing a “legitimate” reason to despise Obama out in the open; by slyly insinuating that he moonlights as a terrorist, they justify these incensed morons’ fury and even suggest it is a patriotic duty. That is beyond intolerable, it is criminal. Bellowing “Terrorist!” and “Kill him!” and “Off with his head!” at a rally is deplorable. And it is an unacceptable reaction to stand idly by and turn a deaf ear. (Sarah Palin, I’m talking to you.)

If I were a McCain supporter, I’d also be highly irritated with the way his campaign has mismanaged this race. But that is no reason to maliciously provoke crowds at these rallies until the unspeakable is attempted. To paraphrase the brilliant rapper Eminem, “When will it stop, when will they knock the crap off?” I sincerely hope that by the time this column is printed, McPalin will have said or done something to check some of its overzealous supporters.