Letter to the Editor, 10/28/08

By Pitt News Staff

To the Editor, ‘ ‘ ‘ This letter is in response to Matthew Diabes’ Oct. 22, 2008 column… To the Editor, ‘ ‘ ‘ This letter is in response to Matthew Diabes’ Oct. 22, 2008 column entitled ‘McCain’s campaign is based on creating fear.’ I believe the article grossly misrepresented the tone and actions of Sen. John McCain’s campaign. ‘ ‘ ‘ It has become very clear that Sen. Barack Obama will become the next president and that McCain will suffer defeat. Many political pundits have pointed to this reality in claims that McCain’s campaign has become increasingly negative over the past couple of weeks. The column points to a comment made by Gov. Sarah Palin that Obama was ‘palling around with terrorists’ to support his claim that McCain’s campaign is based on lies and creating fear. ‘ ‘ ‘ Some people would rather hear about the policies of the two candidates as opposed to their personal relations. But other voters, such as myself, would like to hear about both. In my opinion, personal values and relations are important because they influence the decisions the candidate will make as president. When deciding the leader of the United States, every consideration and possibility needs to be taken into account. Just because some people don’t like to hear about certain issues does not make the presentation of those issues negative campaigning. ‘ ‘ ‘ McCain’s campaign, possibly to his detriment, has ignored far more divisive issues than Obama’s relations with William Ayers. How many times has McCain mentioned Rev. Jeremiah Wright or attacked Obama’s views on affirmative action? Since Palin was announced as McCain’s running mate, she has been called by many names other than the governor of Alaska. Diabes’ column went so far as to call her a ‘lunatic pet.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ McCain is an honorable man and has served his country well with the hope of making it a better place. As a junior in college with my whole life to look forward to, I can only hope that I can serve my country with the honor, respect and courage that McCain has. Celvin Johnson