Discussion: Has the campaign gone over the top?

 

An October 8 editorial in The New York Times, Politics of Attack, claims that “Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember.” 

Engage the Spectrum wants to know what you think. Has the Republican campaign reached a new level of negativity or is this just politics as usual? Click here to add your opinion.

Characters

Lewis C. Miller

Following a long day at the office, I found my way to a nearby Capitol Hill bar. Upon entering, I noticed that in proper Washington, D.C. fashion, all of the television screens were transmitting the message that had reverberated around town that afternoon: Republican presidential candidate John McCain was suspending his campaign and calling for a postponement of Friday’s scheduled debate with Senator Barack Obama. With my own preliminary assessment of this latest development in mind, I decided to get the perspective of a few fellow patrons. Instead, what unfolded was a revealing, if slightly schizophrenic exercise aided by Pinot Noir.

Point: No Seat at That Table, Thank You

Lewis C. Miller argues that the founding fathers would cringe at the presidential candidates’ voluntary participation in Rick Warren’s forum on faith and politics. Read Kenneth W. Chandler’s Counterpoint. 

Earlier this month, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama participated in Rick Warren’s forum on faith and politics at his Saddleback megachurch in California.

Admittedly, based on the nature and location of the event, the evening could easily devolved into something much worse than what actually transpired. For the most part, Mr. Warren made an effort to portray impartiality and refrained from dismissive and condescending remarks.