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Senator Barack Obama has excellent chances against Senator John McCain in November's election. His gift for speaking, and pleasant personality is well received by a voting public thirsting for new political faces. In this election, Obama will not be facing a typical republican candidate in that McCain has a highly independent nature that gives him unusual appeal to moderates as well as independents. Add to that list, southern democrats. Six weeks ago, I would have considered this to be Obama's election to lose. Now, after the damaging words of Reverend Jeremiah Wright, it may be McCain's election to lose. Before the issue of the pastor's anti-white sentiments were a front-page item, few white voters would have had a problem with voting for Obama. Now, many lunch-pail blue collar workers may be viewing Barack Obama with suspicions of unknown agendas being part of the mix. Surprisingly, Hillary Clinton's attacks have not sullied Obama to any great degree. He has largely been above criticism by the mainstream media. Hillary's attacks backfired as the press assailed her for being desperate for victory. Poor Hillary couldn't make any headway with any issues until Reverend Wright's rants became publicized. Now, Barack can't seem to shake the Reverend, despite distancing himself from the issue. Obama's chances against McCain are now a toss-up, in my opinion. The youth-factor, which was his friend on college campuses everywhere, is a weak point if they don't show up at the ballot box as history suggests. His abity to judge character has become an issue because of his friendships with liberal operatives in the Chicago area such as William Ayers, Mr. Rezco, and Reverend Wright. Guilt by association can be an effective tool against any politician. Obama against McCain will likely become a litmus test of our racial tolerance in the United States in 2008. With more than 90% support from black Americans for Obama, many white voters may flood to McCain's candidacy. This may not be an election based upon ideals and ideas to make a better America. Instead it may be a new chapter of racial distrust. Reverend Wright's remarks in the name of Black Liberation Theology may be the cause of things that never needed to happen within this election. Most of our racial wounds have long since healed in the United States, but apparently not so with Obama's pastor. I would love to be proven wrong in my assessment, but doubt that I will be. Senator McCain is a good man, and will be a good President if elected. Senator Obama is also a good man, and has a great future ahead of him, sooner or later. The whole country can benefit from this upcoming election by finally answering the final questions regarding what needs to be done to include all Americans, regardless of heritage, in the wonderful process of electing the best person to lead our country.

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