In other campaign news, longtime civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis of Georgia accused Senator John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin of “sowing the seeds of hatred and division.” Lewis said, “What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. George Wallace never threw a bomb, he never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights.” Over the past week, the mood at many McCain and Palin events has shocked many observers. Crowds have shouted out “terrorist,” “traitor” and “liar” when Obama is mentioned. In Florida, the Secret Service is looking into reports that a crowd member yelled “Kill him!” during a Palin speech last week. At a rally in Minnesota on Friday, McCain was forced to defend Obama after taking hostile questions from supporters.

John McCain Supporter: “I got to ask you a question. I do not believe in — I can’t trust Obama. I have read about him, and he’s not — he’s not —- he’s an Arab. He is not -—”

John McCain: “No, ma’am. No, ma’am. No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. And that’s what this campaign is all about. He is not. Thank you.”