John McCain, there're two weeks to go in your campaign. Most don't think it likely that you have initiated the hate speech toward Senator Obama. Most don't think you have created the smears coming out of your party toward Senator Obama. But John, most also have been disappointed in your compliance and complicity, even participation with these actions.
Senator McCain, don't have a short memory. Don't forget Lee Atwater. Don't continue down the low road for the remaining two weeks of your campaign and put yourself in the same position as Atwater. Don't put yourself in that spot.
Do you know what I'm speaking about Senator McCain? Atwater, the bulldog. The guy who played with the win-at-all-cost attitude. The guy who thought winning was more important than integrity. Atwater, push polling, lies, implied racists comments and slurs, slander. The guy who brought America Willie Horton politics.
Senator McCain, don't go down the Atwater road the final two weeks. Don't put yourself in the position Atwater did when on his death bed the racists slurs, hateful attacks and lies came back to haunt him.
After becoming ill and being haunted by his actions Atwater would write, "My illness helped me to see that what was missing in society is what was missing in me: a little heart, a lot of brotherhood. The '80s were about acquiring — acquiring wealth, power, prestige. I know. I acquired more wealth, power, and prestige than most. But you can acquire all you want and still feel empty. What power wouldn't I trade for a little more time with my family? What price wouldn't I pay for an evening with friends? It took a deadly illness to put me eye to eye with that truth, but it is a truth that the country, caught up in its ruthless ambitions and moral decay, can learn on my dime. I don't know who will lead us through the '90s, but they must be made to speak to this spiritual vacuum at the heart of American society, this tumor of the soul."
Spurred by guilt Atwater also wrote apology letters to many politician he maliciously attacked.
Senator McCain the end comes for all of us sooner or later. Do you want to spend the next two weeks of this campaign the way you have spent the past two months? Do you want to put yourself in the same position as Lee Atwater and in your final days and moments be haunted by the hate and lies that you allowed to take over your political campaign?
I guess you and America will know the answer to that question in a couple of weeks. However you choose to campaign the next two weeks the American people will get past it. The question is if you continue to take the low road will you and your conscience ever get past it. Or will you follow down the path of your old friend Lee and spend your final moments (hopefully many years from now) tormented and consumed by guilt for your actions.
Senator McCain you still have time to clean it up and win or lose be remembered for doing just that. You also still have the time and the opportunity to continue speeding down Atwater Avenue. The choice is yours.
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Cross posted to SteveEverettBlog.com.
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