Spec of Light

Posted Sat, 10/11/08

I was stunned last night when I witnessed John McCain defend Barack Obama not once but twice, when two nut-jobs attending one of his rally's flew off the handle (re: Obama is involved with terrorists, or is an Arab/Muslim). Both are ridiculous misconceptions, but I suppose uneducated people cannot be expected to know any better.

At any rate, I could not believe my eyes and ears when the videotape showed McCain defending Obama, claiming he was a "decent person and a person who you do not have to be scared as president of the United States" and "not a Muslim."

I used to respect John McCain even though I never agreed with his beliefs or strategy. He was once an honest man with more integrity than the average public servant in the United States Senate. That honest man disappeared when the current presidential campaign became an ugly morass of innuendo and outright lies. I lost complete respect for McCain and viewed him as desperate and pathetic, willing to do anything – even sacrificing his principles – in order to become president.

A bit of that honest and decent man peeked through again last night when he defended Obama in front of his supporters, as if he could no longer stand the lies and subterfuge which are so removed from his normal character. I think it was the first time I witnessed honesty in him in the last several months, and one of the few occasions when I saw him as self-assured and someone I would be willing to listen to.

Yet all of it comes too little and too late. I could never vote for him, it's simply not in the best interest of America as a whole. I still disagree with his fundamental policies, his plans for the country, but a spec of that former respect has been restored. If he was faking the entire display I'll be sorry for that, and I'm almost certain his demented campaign cronies will turn him to the dark side again before the final presidential debate on Wednesday.

Tags: Politics