My wife and I ran some errands this morning, then headed home. As we pulled into our driveway, I noticed a woman and a young boy standing at our front door. Turns out they were canvassing for McCain. I was in a good mood and I did not want it ruined by a McPalinator encounter, so I started raking in the background while my wife walked up to them.
The boy told her she should vote for McCain. My wife asked why. The boy responded that Obama has "bad personal habits". My wife asked him what kind of habits, and the boy responded "Because Obama smokes."
My wife then told him it didn't make sense to vote for McCain just because Obama smokes. Then my wife asked the boy's mother why she should vote for McCain. The woman started stammering and couldn't come up with an answer. Eventually she drifted away muttering while her zealous boy ran over to the house next door.
Now I think it's great that this mother and her boy are getting involved in the process, but I don't like kids being used as campaign props by canvassers. It's insulting to go to someone's house and have your ten year old kid tell people how to vote. Maybe this woman thought it was "cute", but if you are going to let your kid do your talking, then you should give him some kind of positive message to present to potential voters. The economy is cratering, Iraq is festering, health care costs are spiraling out of control, and this woman wants us to vote for McCain because Obama smokes? Hey lady, get off my lawn! And take your little wingnut with you.