There was a time when I respected John McCain, I didn't always agree with him, but I respected him.
That time is gone.
In the past few months I have seen him desperate enough to fan the flames of racism, bigotry and ignorance, allowing vicious rumors to go to do his dirty work. At first I thought it was just dirty politicing, but after watching the last two presidential debates and listening to McCain and Palin play up to the white sheet crowd, I realize that McCain isn't just playing up to the bigot vote, he's a dues paying member of the club, so should I say clan.
Refusing to even look Sen. Obama in the eye or speak directly to him is disrespecful. Calling him "That one" like he was an uppity slave is outrageous. And, when McCain and Palin clearly hear their supporters yell things like, "Kill him!" and stand by and say nothing, that is dangerous and inflammatory. Not responding immediately in outrage that someone threatened the life of an opposing candidate gives the air of tacit approval of the statement. The American people, along with people around the world have watched how both candidates have treated each other, to get an idea how they would treat the world.
In the end, when the election is over, I wonder if anyone will have the guts to explain to John McCain that the wreckage of his political career was, as usual, caused by pilot error.