To me, this presidential election has represented dismal choices or lack of them. As the campaign wore on, Obama has tried in slick fashion to position himself as "mainstream" on issues such as gun control, terrorism, etc. This is despite the contradictions with his previous pronouncements, which had always been hard core "leftist." However, McCain has offered no meaningful difference from Obama. Now, his last ditch ads try to present him as an advocate of lower taxes and spending. This is despite that he, along with Obama, supported the incredible $700 billion bailout. He missed a golden opportunity to zero in on the bad accounting that contributed to a considerable extent, and, maybe even to a primary extent, to the current economic crisis. Also, McCain seems to support the same environmentalist proposals that would go a long way to shutting down American industry forever.

To be sure, McCain and his running mate have suffered from a disgraceful media distortion and bias. However, when I have heard some of his positions, my emotional reaction was that he "deserves" it.

The only possible reason for voting for McCain is terrorist concern. Obama's previous statements on foreign policy seem to express a very dangerous worldview and a feeling of moral neutrality between the US and terrorist, theocratic regimes. McCain's previous military and war record seem to give him (although, even here, we can't be sure) a likelihood of standing up to the thugs around the world.

Norman E. Hill