Monday, October 13, 2008

Mixed Messages

There are less than thirty days left until the Presidential Election and it seems like things have come to a point in his campaign where Senator McCain must decide how he would like history to remember him. The actions so far of the Republican Party Strategists, and in many ways those of Sen. McCain himself may have already done irrevocable harm to his reputation as a hero to the United States, and a man of honor.
In an article titled “More Mixed Messages from McCain” posted on ABC News.com, Senior National Correspondent Jake Tapper’s blog site, some responses have shown how for most of “Main St., America, ” McCain’s message has perhaps lost it’s direction, and is due to a certain extent from his own actions.
Senator McCain, Governor Palin, and the Republican strategists have over the course of the last week ratcheted up the assault on Senator Obamas’ “character through association.” Governor Palin has been quoted as saying that Senator Obama was “palling around with an admitted terrorist,” William Ayers. Sen. Obama has also been attacked for his association to his often inflammatory Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his support of Louis Farrakhan. Any reports of any wrongdoing on either issue were unsubstantiated.
Senator McCain is shown in several videos at his town hall meetings trying to calm the fears of Republican followers over the fact that “that guy” Obama, may indeed be someone who “cohorts with domestic terrorists, such as Ayers,” or that he maybe even be “an Arab.” Senator McCain did admirably say to both followers that they “need not be afraid” and that Senator Obama was not an Arab. But the question still remains; “how did he get to this point in the first place?”
Mr. Tappers’ article points out that Sen. McCain have “no intention on letting up on the character attacks.” Judged by the responses from his posting, I can only pray that he is wrong. Senator McCain has had two opportunities on national television debates with in excess of 60 million viewers to confront Sen. Obama on his character, and has failed to do so face to face. His body language and facial expressions in the first debate, as well as his over the shoulder reference to Sen.Obama as “that guy” in the second debate have in my opinion helped to fuel this type of hysteria. Having Pastor Conrad invoking the intercession of the “real God” before a campaign rally was also a huge mistake.
Senator McCain and his campaign should leave God out of this campaign. He did not create the mess we are in, nor is he running for office. The American people want to hear real solutions to real problems and not unfounded character attacks.