Our friend Hamilton ls fond of using the word "messiah" to describe Barack Obama every time Obama gets mentioned. But I don't think Obama is a messiah. I think he's a politician -- one with the (mostly) right ideas about how to run a country, yes, but with all the foibles that implies.
The truth is, I hesitate to be described as a "Democrat" -- and, in fact, only registered as a Democrat for the first time in my voting life this year (if memory serves) -- because I like to think my allegiance is not to a party and its structures, but to a set of ideas about what's right and wrong, good and bad for our country.
One of my ideas -- and I know, I'm naive -- is that we're all on firmer ground when we deal in truth. I know: "Politics ain't beanbag." But I think that truth, facts and honesty are the foundations of a well-functioning democratic government. Which is why it pains me when campaigns take liberties.
Well: The Barack Obama campaign is taking some liberties, implying that John McCain is in league with Rush Limbaugh on an anti-immigration crusade. And, well, we all know that's not true. From my perspective, McCain (and George W. Bush) has mostly been on the side of angels on this topic. It saddens me to see the Obama campaign resort to distortions and smears.
They're all politicians. Though I'll vote for him -- I live in a swing state now! -- I don't expect Obama to save the world. And this is an example why.
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