At McCain Rally in Uniontown, Ohio, Racial Undertones Surface

Uniontown, Ohio -- At a high school rally in Ohio on Wednesday, John McCain's campaign continued to attack Barack Obama on his tax policies and added, through an opening speaker, what could be perceived as subtle racist undertones.

The rally was opened by local candidates, including Ohio's state auditor, Mary Taylor, whose contribution to the entertainment included a joke that received a nervous response:

"A taxpayer voting for Obama is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders," Taylor said.

Before she left the stage she quipped, "Whatever color you think about when you leave, I can assure you that we are going to do our best to turn this state red!"

Summit County Engineer Greg Bachman tried to clean up the rhetoric, telling the audience that "even as a Republican" he had accomplished a lot during his term by "treating people with respect, that's the key."

Rob Portman, former Congressman, didn't seem to get the memo about the psychology of the event, His speech included the words, "Don't trust me, ask Joe Biden," "Don't trust me, ask Joe the Plumber," and "Don't trust me, ask John McCain."

Sarah Palin thanked country music singer Gretchen Wilson (who warmed up the audience with her rendition of the forbidden song "Barracuda") with a joke about Wilson's signature song "Redneck Woman" and a nod to Ohio's reputation. "Someone called me a Redneck Woman and I said "Why thank you!" before leading the crowd in a chant of "Drill Baby Drill" and "Mine Baby Mine." (Ohio's coal industry is an issue for its voters.)

After conjuring the image of Ronald Reagan three times and referring to McCain's military service twice, Palin introduced her running mate.

John McCain again tried to distance himself from the Bush White House by saying, "We can't spend the next four years waiting for our luck to change like we have the past eight years."

The campaign again invoked "Joe the Plumber" and added "Tito the Builder" to their growing list of middle-class occupations (Phil the Bricklayer and Rose the Teacher are other people who have enjoyed a mention at recent rallies.)

McCain himself made no racial or cultural comments, relying on his military career for a lot of his material. At one point, after mentioning his military service, McCain was treated to a chant of "Thank You, John!" before closing the rally and walking off stage to shake hands and kiss babies.