Obama to Face Endless Racial, Ethnic Smears

Barack Obama, if he becomes the Democratic nominee is in for a long, dirty and bigoted ride to the November 4 election. Last week it was Cincinnati's right-wing talk-jock Bill Cunningham warming up the McCain rally with his use of 'Hussein' each time he referenced Obama. Yesterday it was an Iowa Republican congressman, Steve King, who said terrorists would be "dancing in the streets" if Democratic candidate Barack Obama were to win the presidency. He said, "The radical Islamists, the al-Qaida ... would be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11 because they would declare victory in this war on terror."

Cunningham and King are doing the dirty work for McCain, saying things he dare not say, but which benefit the GOP nominee. This is the 3rd racist/bigot who has spoken out on behalf of McCain. The third was Pastor John Hagee who endorsed McCain last week. Hagee is a Christian Zionist who wants McCain to bomb Iran and cleanse Israel of Muslims.

McCain has not renounced Hagee because he brings the Fundamentalists with him to the voting booth. He did say, after the Cunningham event, and not to those attending it, that Cunningham's remarks were off limits. I suppose today McCain will mummer similar words about Rep. King. Yet the damage has been done.

We all know who dumbed-down the electorate is, which is why George W. Bush got his 2nd term. Playing the ethnic and race cards is par for the course for the right-wing, and Obama is in for a long and ugly ride. The only question remains wheter Americans will tolerate it or just sit on their hands.