Published: June 19, 2008 10:18 am            

Land Minds: Obama or McCain — Let the race begin

Originally published in the June 13, 2008, print edition.

Is anyone else already sick of the race for the White House?

Now that the Clintons have finally bowed out, the prelims are over and we can get down to the business of the finals.

It’s a battle between the lanky new-comer Barack Obama and the wily veteran John McCain.

I hope that this race comes down to the real issues and gets beyond the issue of race.

Even though we are in the 21st century, and race should not matter, I’m afraid it still does to all too many in this country. I don’t care about the color, gender, party affiliation, dietary habits, or whether or not they are a pet owner. What matters to me is if they can do the job.

From now until November, we will get to hear how each candidate will run the country when he is elected president. Talk is cheap.

The lemming-like Americans will be lead to the polling booths by a sound byte here and there that stirs something inside them. It may be Obama or McCain’s stand on health care, the war in Iraq, the war on drugs, battling high fuel prices, etc. Regardless what the issue is, most Americans will decide their candidate by that single issue.

Even if they are casting their vote based on a solitary issue, it’s far better than some Americans who will cast their vote solely based on the looks of Obama over McCain or, God forbid, entirely on their party affiliation.

In reality, no one knows for sure how either candidate will do as president. That won’t be known until a year-and-a-half to two years into the presidency.

President Obama or President McCain.

It’s up to you to decide. What are you going to base your decision on?

        

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