In Jonathan Martin's blog today http://www.politico.com/... , he reports that while the crowd was growing restive Senator McCain told his supporters:
"I have to tell you. Sen. Obama is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared of as president of the United States"
and later on to a woman who called Obama "an Arab":
"No, ma'am," the Arizona senator assured. "He's a decent family man and citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab]."
To this, I can only say, Thank You, Senator. You have confirmed that you, yourself are also indeed a man of decency and honor.
Now it is true that I'm an Obama supporter, and this cannot change that. Senator Obama strikes me as a man of poise and intelligence, a deep understanding of the complexity of the world in which the United States is only one country (an important one - hey it's MY country, but still just one) which must bargain, and compromise and lead others when and where it can by example, rectitude, and wisdom, not by privilege or might. The long and wearying "no drama Obama" campaign conducted with low key professionalism first against Senator Clinton and now with you as his rival convinces me of his stature as a skilled administrator who can get done what needs be done. And he is incarnate a repudiation of the disastrous policies of the current administration foisted upon us by your party.
The conduct of your campaign to date had had me seriously doubting your integrity. The Presidency of the United States is indeed a grand prize. I have no doubt that when it appears within grasp, it can too easily tempt a man to abandon sober judgment and blindly take what others can only consider unconscionable risks to reach it.
There have been reports in the last days of vile epithets and divisive caricatures coming from your "supporters" at your rallies. These are the inevitable results of the plays you have made. The payoff on the bets you have placed.
But today, you have woken up. You have proved that you are not one to be mesmerized by the action. You will not double down until it leads you, and perhaps others, to ruin. You have shown us that you do indeed know when to stop. And the nation can only be grateful that you do.
Today you have shown us, that however poorly we judge some of the decisions you have made, that at rock bottom you still are a man of basic goodness and honor.
You have shown us, even we who believe your rival the better choice for the office you both seek, that you are a man that America can be proud to have selected as a candidate for the Presidency.
With deepest respects.
Terrence W. Zellers (King of Prussia, PA)
http://www.zensden.net/...