Lewis likens GOP rhetoric to hostility of Wallace

U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) on Saturday compared GOP rhetoric in the presidential campaign to the violence-spawning talk of George Wallace during the civil rights era.

GOP presidential nominee John McCain, who at a campaign program in August called Lewis an inspiration, declared the comparison to the late Alabama governor “shocking and beyond the pale.”

McCain called on Democratic nominee Barack Obama to repudiate the statement.

Late Saturday, the Obama campaign said Obama does not believe McCain or his criticisms are at all comparable to Wallace and his segregationist policies. But a spokesman said Lewis was right to condemn “the hateful rhetoric” and “profoundly irresponsible charges” erupting at Republican rallies.

Lewis, of Atlanta, said in a prepared statement: “What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Senator McCain and Governor [Sarah] Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.”

Because of the “atmosphere of hate” created by Wallace in his time, Lewis said, “four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Ala.

“As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Senator McCain and Governor Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all,” Lewis said.

Calling Lewis “a man I’ve always admired,” McCain said in a statement that the congressman’s comments “represent a character attack against Governor Sarah Palin and me that is shocking and beyond the pale.

“The notion that legitimate criticism of Senator Obama’s record and positions could be compared to Gov. George Wallace, his segregationist policies and the violence he provoked is unacceptable and has no place in this campaign.”

Late Saturday night, Lewis posted this statement on his Web site: “A careful review of my earlier statement would reveal that I did not compare Sen. John McCain or Gov. Sarah Palin to George Wallace. It was not my intention or desire to do so. My statement was a reminder to all Americans that toxic language can lead to destructive behavior.

“I am glad that Sen. McCain has taken some steps to correct divisive speech at his rallies. I believe we need to return to civil discourse in this election about the pressing economic issues that are affecting our nation.”

Saturday, McCain turned away from visceral attacks on Obama and focused on their policy differences.

This report contains material from The Associated Press.