Democrats/Independents for McCain: Are You Kidding Me?

There are two recent issues in the 2008 Democratic primary race that are really scary. I still haven't gotten over Bush's reelection last time around, and now these two new threats to a Democratic victory have raised their ugly heads. Do I hear déjà vu, anyone? If this all comes to pass it will be my biggest nightmare.

Here's the first. Okay, so Obama's minister has major problems with white people and America. As a result, polls are finding that some Democrats and Independents (especially white, working class males) are now saying if Obama gets the Democratic Party's nomination they will vote for John McCain. These are people who were thinking about voting for Obama until those clips of Reverend Wright were plastered all over the airwaves and internet. If that's true, one would have to assume they want change and are not happy with the way the war in Iraq is going. So how could anyone of this mind vote for McCain over Obama? I think it's irrational fear.

I don't know about you but I cannot vote for anyone who feels we are making progress in Iraq and wants to stay there indefinitely. The only thing that shows any semblance of progress is the troop surge currently going on. My big problem with this is that I don't see how anyone can be sure the surge is achieving its goals, since the cease fire called by Mahdi army leader and cleric Muqtada al Sadr has been in effect for most of the surge. So what caused the decrease in violence; the surge or the cease fire? And what will happen after the surge? Won't it still be religiously and politically divided Iraq? It's kind of like Vietnam folks; we're not winning their minds and hearts. Democracy will not end centuries of internal conflict and hatred. And the "democratically-elected" Maliki government certainly doesn't seem to be making much progress. I have a feeling Maliki knows better than us what he's up against. Obama wants out; McCain wants in. If you were for Obama, don't you want out too?

So what is it? Are you afraid Obama hates you? I am not hearing that. Perhaps Obama's attendance at Wright's church kept him abreast of what some black people are really feeling about the country. Since his goal is to end this sort of divisiveness, it might be a positive that he's deeply aware of these feelings. I've never found a religion or church where I agreed with all of its dogma. But I didn't stop going to church because the good outweighed the bad. And there's no doubt that Wright's church has done a lot of good in the Chicago area. Let's face it, good black people have gone through a lot in this country and sometimes still do. They could still use some vigilence in making sure the playing field is indeed level. Obama has stated, and I believe this as well, that looking out for one group of people does not necessarily take away from the other. Many expert corporate managers have said successful managers share knowledge with their people rather than keep it to themselves, and the result is the team and its members are all more successful for it. I'm not afraid of someone who will help people who need it because it will help the country as a whole. We will all benefit.

The second issue is how divided the Democratic Party is, given the closeness of the race between Obama and Clinton. This can only help McCain. As the two Democrats compete with each other there will likely be dirt slung by each side. This could tarnish both candidates to the point McCain might look better, since no one is slinging anything at him. I wish one Democrat would get a clear edge over the other soon, but that does not seem likely. The other problem is McCain has plenty of time to devote his full energy to preparing his campaign against the Democratic nominee while Obama and Clinton are spending most of their energy against each other. Once again, this could be my worst nightmare.

Come on Democrats and Iraq war-hating Independents. I say whoever winds up with the Democratic nomination, Clinton or Obama, you've got to vote for her/him over McCain. Think back to what you felt like the day after Bush's reelection. I know I couldn't believe it. I couldn't understand how so many people were fooled again. Just look at Bush's approval rating now. We knew all this four years ago, but it's no consolation. Don't let it happen again. If you are against this war you must vote for a Democrat.

And please, don't even think about Nader. We all know the Democratic and Republican Parties are flawed. We don't need to vote for Nader to express that.