Gee, I only found it interesting that McCain would have an ad tying Obama to Ayers and then tell his supporters that Obama is a good man and America has nothing to fear if he wins the presidency. Seems like a complete dichotomy to me.

As to his radical ties, I guess they really don't bother me all that much because if you look into my past and the past of most people who were in their late teens and early 20s in the 60s and 70s, you'd find many radical ties. That didn't mean we were radicals, it simply meant we knew many and were friends with them. Sometimes because they had the best dope, sometimes because they were the most interesting people, sometimes because we genuinely liked them.

Obama was raised by a mother and grandparents who were pretty much free thinkers. That pretty much guaranteed that he would be raised around radicals. So, this tie is, to me, tenuous at best.

I do have issues with Obama. I don't like how he came out of left field to run for the presidency. I don't like the fact that he is part of the Chicago political machine. I'm liberal, but that doesn't mean I believe that every liberal cause should be followed. I'm not convinced that Obama feels as I do.

All of that being said, if you like and respect McCain and believe him much of the time, then the radical issue should be tossed to the side, just as the Muslim issue seems to have finally died down. It was McCain who said Americans had nothing to fear from Obama as president after some of his supporters were screaming that Obama would bring socialism, Communism and radicalism to the White House if he became president. If McCain with his all of his resources says the man is genuine, maybe we should believe that he is and start looking at the issues, not the fears.

It really would be nice if a person's vote was based on what we felt the man could or could not do for the US and Americans in today's climate rather than worrying about ghosts. Personally, I want a President who is strong enough and savvy enough to be able to stand up to Congress and say the pork has got to stop; who understands that many Americans do need help but don't want a free ride, just a way to survive in today's world; who won't just start shooting from the hip but will actually do what is necessary to keep us out of unnecessary wars but be willing to stand up and fight if needed.

Yes, I'm leaning towards Obama but I truly haven't made up my mind. There are issues in my mind that haven't been resolved. For now, I know I'm not convinced that I want McCain. We still have a few weeks to see what both of these men do and say. Let's hope one of them shows some true Presidential qualities soon -- not just rhetoric.