McCain's attacks Obama for Jackson comments

[Ken]

I guess you've seen by now that the McCain campaign has attacked McCain for something Jesse Jackson said about Israel. Apparently, the McCain campaign thinks that Jewish voters care only about Israel and think that all African-Americans are the same. Of course, you'd have to be a special kind stupid to think that Jackson and Obama are friends.
McCain's return to the high road didn't last very long.

[KarenJoyceKleinman]

Although I hated Jesse Jackson when he ran for president, I love Obama. I don't see all African Americans as being the same. Why should the McCain camPain think all Jews will be shocked at anything McCain says about Obama? I am thinking you meant that the McCaign campaign has attacked Obama for something Jesse Jackson said about Israel, and that you meant that the McCaign camPain is trying to say that because Obama is African American and Jesse Jackson is African American, they THEREFORE both think the same way and/or that Jesse is another one of Barack's "weird friends". Again, I am not worried. Those are attack politics anyway. Also, there is a whole group called "Jews for Obama" who sticks up for him with all these attacks. So, don't worry. I hope and pray the American people will see through that racist mentality.

[Ken]

Thanks for catching my typo. I do a lot of that--especially when I'm feeling angry.

You're right. I don't think Jewish voters would fall for this ploy. Actually, I think the real target may have been Evangelicals who see Israel as part of their "End Times" beliefs. I think McCain's campaign is trying to make sure those groups are stirred up. I am disappointed that the McCain camp would even play with this fire and worried about the consequence of racial politics. A friend told me last week that he's worried about a backlash against African-Americans here in East Texas if Obama wins. I know this sounds unlikely but my friend is highly educated and not prone to irrational concerns about his safety. I grew up here and I've watch racism slowly shrink back under its rock. Anything that gives bigots aid and comfort is discourages me.

My prayer is that McCain will fire the person behind this. Last night he was a big fan of repudiating unfair attacks. Maybe he'll follow up begin at home. I share your hope that Americans will see through this and move forward rather than backward.

[KarenJoyceKleinman]

This will pass, even though McPain LIED about repudiating unfair attacks. I have only heard him do that ONE TIME in one of his speeches. He said calmly, No, Obama is not a Muslim and he is just as patriotic as anyone... He and I want the same for America but we just disagree on how to do it". But, his people get away with spreading murder, and he was told to dig into Obama. You can tell he is doing things and saying negative things UNwillingly. The problem I do have is NOT with McPainful. It's with his cohorts whom he can't get to shut up. I really don't think he'd be a terrible president, either, IF HE AND ONLY HE would make policies- except for women's rights, gay rights, the economy, and the wars- I mean, other than that, he's a nice guy in and of itself. The country, on the other hand, actually is starting to come around to being more open minded. You live in East Texas and if it's anything like New Mexico back in the 70s when I visited for a "make money" scheme, even the blonde waitresses who are so nice and called me "ma'am" and stuff made reference to "coloreds" in a sneery way, so you are more scared than a Californian would be. Out here, people are generally more accepting of differences. I saw on TV the other day that lots of Republican only states are beginning to show in the polls they are leaning toward democratic ideologies. Unfortunately, when someone is losing, they usually don't admit it's because of policies. In the words of my weirdo brother who is FAR,, FAR, FAR right winger, "We Republicans are LETTING Obama win because it's going to take a LONG TIME to fix the economy and so when he gets into office, EVERYONE WILL BLAME HIM for the problem, and then we can get in after four more years. We Republicans CHOSE MC CAIN DELIBERATELY TO LOSE so that we can win in four more years, AFTER the anger dies down from the economic mess". Go figure.

[Ken]

I think you're more than fair taking exception more with McCain's cronies and allies than with the Senator himself. I would argue that if "leadership" has any meaning it would start with the ability to get your campaign staff and the people at your rallies to follow.

[KarenJoyceKleinman]

Amen.