John McCain disappoints me (and a bit on Sarah Palin)

I still need to look into Biden, I know. And there is probably more research that needs to be done on Palin, but I was looking back and it's been almost a month since I was asked what I think of her. I really do not think that much about her. It is more about McCain that I think. I think - why did he put her in this position. In her situation, I can understand why she would accept the offer, but it is obvious that she is unprepared for the national political climate. She is naiive, and knows very little about national issues, let alone to have much of an opinion or direction on them. But I don't think it's her fault, really. I have no idea what kind of governor or mayor she was. She could have been a great one, but I think she is ill-prepared to be the vice president of this country, and I think it shows a sign of desperation by McCain. 

I have also been disappointed with McCain in other areas of his campaign. He used to host a straight talk express. The press could come onto his plane and ask him any question they wanted, and he would answer. In July, he stopped it altogether. He will now only answer the press's questions where the answer will fit nicely on a 30-second clip, and go along with the campaign platform, instead of giving any sort of actual explanation. 

My husband wonders if "the real John McCain" (as we refer to his old self) ever really existed. I still think he did, but I wonder how much of that he is willing to give up to get elected. And after all, I think it is what you are willing to do to get elected that changes you more as a politician than the power that you have. And so while I hope, that if McCain were elected, we would see the return of "the real McCain", I am not sure there is much basis for that hope.

What to do in the face of the politics of today

I found myself in a situation today where I wanted to react, to respond in kind to something that someone said about Obama. I know despite my attempts to be unbiased, I am sure my leanings toward Obama are evident. And today I read something someone I know wrote that called him a moron, and in the same breath she talked about how Sarah Palin was amazing. Immediately I wanted to write a scathing post here about Palin, but then was forced to remember my whole purpose in having this blog, which is to stop the politics of today, and encourage the politics of tomorrow. 

So what do we do in the face of such opposition? I love Obama, I believe in his vision. I also believe in McCain and the good he has done and would like to do for our country. I would probably react the same way to someone calling McCain a moron. When a response isn't demanded, I suppose the best response is to ignore it. But sometimes it is hard to believe that we can fight the forces that want to bring conflict into politics. 

But I think also it is important to understand why such things happen. Perhaps her calling Obama a moron is some residual feeling such as the one that prompted me to want to respond. Because when you attack a candidate that people believe in, you don't just attack the candidate, you attack those people. 

But I think we can rise. I don't have to drop down and become petty and angry, because I believe in an American politics where we can be civil and respectful. I believe in an America where politics can be ruled by friends who disagree, without making enemies out of them. I believe in an America where I can be involved in politics and not have to hate anyone the more for it. Today I felt slapped in the face with the politics of today, but I am trying to turn my cheek with the politics of tomorrow.