Obama lauds McCain for trying ‘to tone down’ rhetoric

Barack Obama on Saturday praised John McCain for trying to reduce the heated rhetoric that some supporters of the GOP ticket have displayed at rallies featuring the Arizona senator and running mate Sarah Palin. 

The Democratic nominee, in a speech in Philadelphia, made a point to “acknowledge that Sen. McCain tried to tone down the rhetoric yesterday, and I appreciated his reminder that we can disagree while still being respectful of each other.”

{mosads}Since the Republican nominee’s campaign this week has sought to place a greater emphasis on some of Sen. Obama’s (Ill.) past associations, including that to former Weather Underground member William Ayers, a few supporters of the GOP ticket have displayed open hostility toward Obama.

During rallies featuring McCain or Palin, audience members can be heard shouting “terrorist” and “traitor,” while the Alaska governor has whipped up the crowds with remarks such accusing Obama of “palling around with terrorists.” In addition, on at least one occasion, a speaker at the rallies has used Obama’s middle name “Hussein,” a practice McCain has condemned.

The crow reaction at GOP events has been given much publicity in the past week, and on Friday, the Arizona senator stepped in. McCain told a woman, who had called Obama an “Arab” during a town hall event, that the Democratic nominee is a “decent family man” and later said people did not have to be afraid of Obama in the White House. McCain reportedly drew boos from the crowd for making that statement.

Obama, in his speech Saturday, lauded his rival for serving the U.S. “with honor” but also blasted the Arizona senator for his policy views.