Lakota Republican for Obama

Charles Trimble:  Sen. Obama a man for our time[F]eeling that I could have an impact on the entire Republican Party by helping inform their candidates in gubernatorial, congressional and presidential campaigns, I changed my registration. Over the next nearly three decades, I was able to help Indian tribes by helping Republicans understand their unique place in America.

However, over the past year, I have seen that the Republican Party has been taken over by a wave of fearful, hateful and strident bigots.

I now consider myself an Independent for Barack Obama.

From my experience in Washington, DC, as Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians, I have always seen Senator John McCain as a truthful and decent man, willing to listen to Indian concerns and often willing to back legislation to bolster our rights and improve our lot. And I think that he still is a decent and respectable man.

However, what I have seen in recent political rallies for McCain and especially those for Governor Sarah Palin, frightens me--for Senator Obama’s life and for our country in very dangerous times. I hear the voices of fear--unfounded fear of a black man to serve as our national leader; and I see the faces of hate that such irrational fear generates.Comment:  As you may recall, Trimble is big on Indians getting over the past and not being "victims" anymore. These are typically conservative positions, so I would've guessed Trimble was a Republican. Glad to see my suspicions confirmed.

For more on the subject, see Blaming the Victim.

McCain no longer truthful?

Let's note that McCain is largely responsible for the sleazy lies and insinuations of his campaign. He's about as "truthful and decent" as any hypocritical, win-at-all-costs Republican. You know, the kind that would impeach the president or launch a war to score political points.

If you parse Trimble's comments, there's an interesting switch. Trimble thought McCain was "truthful and decent" and still thinks he's "decent and respectable." In other words, Trimble no longer believes McCain is truthful.

That conclusion is shared by many Americans. And most people would say that someone who lies frequently isn't very decent. I leave it to Trimble to explain the discrepancy: how a hatemongering candidate can be "decent."

McCain's lynch mobs

Here's what a "lifelong Republican" has written about McCain's campaign:

McCain's attacks fuel dangerous hatredJohn McCain: If your campaign does not stop equating Sen. Barack Obama with terrorism, questioning his patriotism and portraying Mr. Obama as "not one of us," I accuse you of deliberately feeding the most unhinged elements of our society the red meat of hate, and therefore of potentially instigating violence.

At a Sarah Palin rally, someone called out, "Kill him!" At one of your rallies, someone called out, "Terrorist!" Neither was answered or denounced by you or your running mate, as the crowd laughed and cheered. At your campaign event Wednesday in Bethlehem, Pa., the crowd was seething with hatred for the Democratic nominee--an attitude encouraged in speeches there by you, your running mate, your wife and the local Republican chairman.

Shame!And:John McCain, you are no fool, and you understand the depths of hatred that surround the issue of race in this country. You also know that, post-9/11, to call someone a friend of a terrorist is a very serious matter. You also know we are a bitterly divided country on many other issues. You know that, sadly, in America, violence is always just a moment away. You know that there are plenty of crazy people out there.

Stop! Think! Your rallies are beginning to look, sound, feel and smell like lynch mobs.McCain was wrong about the war in Iraq and the hunt for Al Qaeda. He was wrong about deregulation and "trickle-down" tax cuts for the rich. Now that he's proved he has no leadership or honor to offer America, I'm not sure why anyone would vote for him.

For more on the subject, see The 2008 Presidential Campaign.