McCain has been given a free-ride by the media for his affairs, inhumane treatment of his disabled ex-wife, verbally abusing current wife Cindy in front of the press, bad temper and dishonesty during the campaign--all pertaining to his lack of character and clear disrespect towards women. By feigning mock indignation whenever Palin is under legitimate attack, he clearly believes she warrants that same luxury. By insulting the American public with his choice of VP, he has shown his desire to be President whatever the price, and his sense of "entitlement' to this position due to his being a POW forty years ago. By the way did anyone know that? Like a true soldier, he's very humble about his experience and unlikely to ever mention, exploit or glorify it.
In order to further his political career, McCain has been riding the tails of his POW/War Hero status for years, and although military service is admirable, it's mistaken to suggest that this experience makes him the more honourable man or the more credible president. Suffering the misfortune of having your plane shot down and consequently becoming a POW for five years does not make you an expert on national security. Voting yes for the pre-emptive invasion of Iraq on questionable evidence and voting yes on the majority of Bush's policies does not constitute foreign policy experience. Lack of judgment, yes.
If voters are going to vote on prioritising the economy, then bigots aside, they will most likely vote for Obama, whose domestic policies are stronger. McCain himself has confessed to being less attuned to economic issues and stresses national security as his "strong" point. Therefore in order to have any chance of winning, McCain has to shift the focus of his campaign to this issue. So what is his best strategy? When all else fails, out comes the GOP's fallback plan, The Politics of Fear. Sadly, I think we can expect more fear-mongering tactics from the Republican's prior to November's elections to keep this focus foremost in voters mind. Keeping the general public fearful will keep them compliant--this tactic has worked for war-mongers/war-profiteers Bush/ Cheney/Rumsfeld et al for years so we can expect this tactic to continue with McCain. And clearly it is.
Is his behaviour to his ex-wife/family relevant now? Yes, because 1) it reveals his core character, or lack of: callous, self-serving, unethical and opportunistic and 2) it reeks of hypocrisy when he preaches the importance of family values and when he is putting himself forward as the "dependable" candidate who can be relied upon during difficult times. I think more faith can be placed in Obama's character and judgment, of whom I have yet to see or hear anything distasteful, only appearing to have been smeared through guilt by association. At this stage of the campaign we know enough to know that Obama at least tries to do the right thing--and we know that McCain doesn't (he's already proven that with his irresponsible choice of VP). Singing "Bomb, bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys "Barbara Ann" suggests McCain is an immature man not befitting of presidential status. Enough with this cowboy mentality. its one thing to watch and enjoy Westerns, it's quite another to have it shape attitude and policy.
For those who can't seem to look past Obama's skin colour, I suggest for their sakes they try. And for those voters who are still claiming they don't know enough about him yet to back him, to them there is only one thing I can suggest--educate yourselves. The information is out there, but I suggest they rely on a channel other than FOX to get information which is "fair and balanced." In this day and age, there's no excuse for ignorance.
Having a government who lies to you and doesn't look out for your interests doesn't appear to be a concern to some voters --this lack of concern and willing gullability shocks me. I can only assume it's a case of better the devil you know. Even when people know a situation is dire, it appears some are reluctant to take a risk with the relatively unknown (Obama), when they are also being offered what they already know and are familiar with (McCain), even if it is preserving a negative status quo. But the very reason they should take the risk is because the unknown at least offers the possibility of something great, a better future. And the familiar, doesn't.
