Dear Senator McCain:
Sorry I'm not writing under better circumstances. The economy is a mess. Americans all across the country are struggling. People are worried, and understandably so. They're worried about making their mortgage payments. They're worried about their retirement savings. They're worried about their sons and daughters who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I'm worried about all of these things as well, but that's not the reason for my letter. Instead, I'm writing to tell you how worried I am about you.
[more after the jump]
Over the past couple weeks, there has been an unmistakable escalation in personal attacks aimed at Senator Obama. These attacks aren't based on any policy issues, but rather on your opponent's character. They question his patriotism. They suggest he's a terrorist. They tap into the feelings of racism and bigotry that sadly still exist in some of our communities.
I'm not surprised that these attacks are taking place, but I am shocked that you are commanding the troops who are carrying them out. You say that you're a man of honor and dignity, but you're showing yourself instead to be a creature of the vile, partisan politics that you previously claimed to deplore.
There's no need to me to list here the many examples where you, your surrogates and your supporters have crossed a dangerous line. You're recent comments and campaign ads tell me that you're very familiar with the strategy. My guess is you've decided that the only possible way you'll be elected in November is by default. If you can somehow turn Senator Obama into an unacceptable, un-American choice for the White House, then voters will have to settle for the alternative.
But I think I speak for the majority of Americans when I say that we're not that stupid. People see your tactics for what they are....a desperate attempt by a desperate man to instill worry, hate and doubt into the electorate. No matter how many times your running mate winks at us, we're not going to fall for it.
I would find this type of conduct reprehensible in any political election. The fact that you are engaging in it during one of the most important presidential campaigns in modern history is unbelievable. You're putting John McCain first and flushing the country down the toilet. I expected more out of you. You had me fooled all these years.
During the course of this campaign, you've been fond of saying that you belong to your country. But you're looking more and more like a bad asset on your country's balance sheet.
Even so, I'll always honor your service during Vietnam. What I don't understand is why you don't do the same. Quite frankly, the rhetoric coming from your campaign these days runs contrary to the values this country stands for. You're replacing hope and opportunity with fear and uncertainty. If it's so easy for you to make such a switch, then what was the point of your bravery in that Vietnamese prison? Have you forgotten what you were fighting for, or do you simply not care anymore?
