Over the internet today, colleagues and I saw an ad using the word "terrorist", with what looked to be a likeness of Senator Obama and words about not being able to trust folks. The clear implication of this ad was that Obama is associated with terrorism and that we really do not know much about him -- that we should be afraid of him and in fear of his associations. This reminded us of the robocalls of recent days that were smearing Obama with unfounded truths. Two points occurred to our group. First, resorting to such attack ads are reflective of a campaign out of gas. The RNC has nothing left in its quiver to convince voters that, on the merits, McCain/Palin should be next in line for the White House. We all agreed that the Republicans this election cycle are throwing all the slop they can muster against the wall in the hopes some will stick -- which consists of lies, deception, half-truths and innuendos not based on fact and reality. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it is we the voters who will be to blame if we succumb to the scurrility of that which is being foisted upon us by the campaign should the Republicans take the top two offices. Why?
If voters can be convinced that, for example, Obama is an Arab because his middle name is Hussein (and I suppose that means all Americans who have names whose derivation is Middle Eastern must be suspect and thought to be associated with terrorism), or that his sitting on a board with someone who preached domestic violence 40 years ago when he (Obama) was 8 years old, or that it is OK to say you're a hockey Mom and just like a "Joe the Plumber" but then accepts over $150,000 to purchase clothes and make-up, or even not knowing what the vice president does as Gov. Palin has acknowledged with her statements on at least three occasions, then we deserve what we get.
Casting our vote should be based on the skills, ability and know-how of the candidates. If we elect officials who have nothing more to offer in the closing days of a campaign than deceit and deception, then we are no better off than, let's say, a person who smokes many packs of cigarettes a day for many years, then develops lung cancer and blames it on other than his own acts or omissions.
In the end, if we elect someone who panders to our fears and offers only baseless and unfounded statements, our nation will continue to operate on the same premise as those same-type persons at the helm as we have seen for the last 8 years. Such suffering none of us can endure any longer. Remember, "leopards don't change their spots" -- so why would we expect more from a presidential ticket after winning elected office than what we have seen from them in the closing days of this election cycle?