Trading Places

Thanks to Hello Gorgeous who shared this post, origin not known, but it has made the rounds.  As well it should.  It's thought provoking, and shines a light on the possible role of race in this general election.  Although Barack Obama has a healthy lead in the current polls, nothing can be taken for granted.  But I find myself wondering how John McCain is as close as he is... imagine if you will if the tables were turned, how different the political landscape would look today. All the points are compelling, I've edited for this post, but the entire post can be read at The Engaged Observer.

Please consider the following, and ask if the country's point of view would be different...

Ask simply, what if?

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

If these questions were a true reflection of reality, do we think for a second that the race would be this close?  In this contest between Senators Obama and McCain, positive qualities have been disregarded and at best minimized, and negative qualities are overlooked.  

For the record, and because we don't hear much about this either, here are the facts on the candidates educational background. 

Barack Obama
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a specialization in International Relations
Harvard University - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

versus

John McCain
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

In conclusion what a truly exceptional leader we have in Barack Obama, and the Democratic ticket.

Comments

[maria]

i am not an american citizen, but if i were, i'd be voting same as you

[Kat]

This is a great post because when you put the facts in black and white, clearly the black and white is about race.

McCain shouldn't even be a presidential candidate, and it's no surprise to me that Al Qaeda has endorsed him as their choice. It's frightening.