I live in Virginia, and just happen to be a Black American, emphasis on AMERICAN first, and black as a secondary matter. I for one think that Barrack Obama is better for this country, based upon what I have seen and heard, and from gathering my information via differing sources. I believe this about Obama, but have also changed my position on John McCain as a person. You see, I believe our relationship with John McCain has always been a fantasy. We were Dorothy, and he was the Wizard of Oz. John McCain was marked by us as a maverick, hero, and above reproach. The John McCain we thought we knew was full of flash, sound, and righteous indignation. As we peeked behind the curtain, to our utter amazement, we were presented with the true John McCain. The true John McCain turns out to be just an ill-tempered petty old man, who at his root is just another politician with high aspirations, who is willing to achieve his lofty goals in spite of us, and the good of the country.
As we look at the John McCain we see before us, what have we learned? We see that the Wizard has poor judgment, will knowingly lie to us, and is a racist at his core. Despite Colin Powell’s attesting that McCain is unbiased, his words and actions speak volumes in the other direction. These are all actions and words that leave McCain’s competence and judgment in doubt. As the centerpiece of his campaign, Mr. McCain establishes earmarks as a core issue that needs correction. Yet, he sees no contradiction with having lobbyist as the key managers of his campaign. In fact, he has said that "Lobbyist are good and honorable people". That begs the question that if earmarks are corrupting influences and potential budget busters, what is getting advice from the very people who benefit most from your decisions? This is a clear indication that McCain’s philosophy has no rhyme or reason; he just says and does stuff. We all have plenty of evidence that John McCain will go onto national television, say something, and when it doesn’t go over very well, deny that he ever said it, or insist it was taken out of context. I have seen Barack Obama clarify campaign statements, or attempt to put it in context, but I have NEVER heard Obama or Joe Biden deny such a statement was ever made.
Recently, the Wizard McCain was not faring well in the polls. In order to restore our trust, he found a little known munchkin, and appointed her as his potential successor. This munchkin, we all now know as Sarah Palin. McCain has had the nerve to compare her experience and credentials to Obama’s credentials (Law School, Senator etc); McCain thought we were all just stupid enough to fall for it. Once we all heard her speak in her cute munchkin gibberish tongue, it confirmed our assessment that she is an IDIOT. As the polls have receded away from him, John "The Wizard" McCain has flailed from one imagined hot button issue to another. He has been aided and abetted by his favorite munchkin. Most Americans can probably list these attack efforts off the top of their heads. Let’s see "National security", then we have "I am suspending my campaign", and a host of others in between. In my mind, the most galling of these attacks has been the questioning of not only Barack Obama’s patriotism, but of large segments of this country as a whole. These patriotism attacks have been followed by others, the worst of which have been the labels "Arab", and "Muslim". I will tell you, that most people of color associate these as code words for race identity. McCain should be aware of this, but he is oblivious. We all know that if you are an Arab or a Muslim, chances are that you are probably not of the Caucasian persuasion. These terms have whipped up the Republican base to frenzy. So much so, that at both McCain and Palin rallies there has been open displays or racism.
No matter what Fox News says, or any television commentator says, McCain has the ability to quell these displays. There is a HUGE difference between an Obama supporter wearing an inappropriate tee-shirt calling Sarah Palin names, and McCain people voicing and displaying open hate at these rallies. I agree that both Obama and McCain can do more to keep it civil. The bigger fault I find with McCain is that, after the election is over and a new President is elected, we all have to live together. McCain is allowing hatred to fester that will maintain resentments for years to come, potentially pulling at our very fabric. Let’s allow that neither McCain nor Palin has heard these racial epithets during their rallies. Surely, they became aware of them AFTER the rally, but have made no efforts to subdue these outbursts. Recently, Representative John Lewis warned McCain on the dangers of these open displays of racism. McCain’s response was feigned indignation and demands that Obama denounce them. I don’t get this entire line of reasoning. If party "A" says something derogatory about party "B", then how am I as party "C" obligated to involve myself? The truth is that when you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that yelps is the one that got hit. I think Mr. Lewis’s remarks hit too close to home for McCain.
As Gen Powell noted, many of these racist displays and comments have not come directly from McCain, but he is an accessory for allowing them to be said on his behalf. In fact, who he gets to represent him is also a clear indicator of his intent. Today on MSNBC I saw David Gregory conducting an interview with former VA Governor George Allen. This is the same George Allen who used a racial slur to describe an opposing campaign staff worker. My question is why McCain would allow the "Maccacca" guy to speak for him or otherwise represent his campaign. In Virginia, we tossed G Allen for his racist attitudes, and elected Senator Jim Webb. This is another sign that McCain is OUT OF TOUCH. Both whites and minorities in VA won’t be happy to hear him representing McCain. Does anyone in the McCain campaign EVER vett or consider ANYTHING??!! Allen is largely considered to be a racist and a discredited politician. We here in Virginia won’t forget this slight on behalf of McCain. That’s why we got rid of the guy...DUH!
In closing, I know that the Wizard doesn’t care what the people think. His attitudes about us, all of us, are reflected in the directions of his campaign. John McCain has essentially become the arsonist-in-chief. I mean, he never stays on any consistent message, but like a butterfly, flitters from one attack to another, leaving little blazes wherever he lights. Don’t we already have a President who is all over the map? As to the racial and race baiting fires that he and his running mate have started, they will smolder long after he has returned to Arizona, and she to the talk show circuit. I won’t begin to bring up the racist things said and done by Todd and Sarah Palin in Alaska, but it is all on the record. So I guess she fits right in. "What’s the difference between Sarah Palin the Hockey Mom and a KKK member? Pressed sheets? Recently, Representative Murtha was quoted as saying that many Pennsylvanians were racist, and would not vote for a black man. McCain and the MSM immediately pounced on him for this comment, but it appears to be true. Black people have been voting for white candidates since they received the right to vote.
If black people were openly saying that they wouldn’t vote for a white candidate, the MSM and politicians would be all over it. When someone black such as Jesse Jackson or Rev Wright make a race based comment, its major news. I don’t support racism from anyone, but we need to cut the double standard crap about racism. In Pennsylvania or anywhere else, if you won’t vote for a man because he is black, you my friend are a racist. If you think to use such people’s prejudices as a campaign tool to get votes, you my friend are a racist. Racism is like bank robbery, if you knowingly go along for the ride, you’re guilty as well. McCain and Palin have been driving the racism car in this campaign, and using surrogates who say racist things or have racist histories. That my friend makes them two racists as well.