Race is not the issue

By The Daily Progress

Published: October 5, 2008

I am offended by the letter to the editor “Obama critiques conceal racism” (The Daily Progress, Sept. 18).

With a recent Gallup Poll finding 93 percent of non-Hispanic black registered voters favoring Barack Obama over John McCain, it seems disingenuous to argue that Obama is disadvantaged among those who vote because of racial preferences.

No candidate should be voted for, or against, because of his or her race.

Many of us, black and white, find Sen. Obama unqualified for the presidency because of his lack of experience, his dangerously naive statements and reactions to foreign policy issues, his persistent failure to acknowledge the success of the “surge” in Iraq, his ranking as the most liberal senator of 2007 (per The National Journal), the exorbitant potential cost to taxpayers of his vaguely defined “change we can count on,” the influence of radical leftist mentors and acquaintances upon his political philosophy, his position on abortion, etc.

In short, Sen. Obama is out of step with mainstream America in terms of foreign policy, economic positions and social issues.

There are many legitimate reasons not to vote for Sen. Obama. Race is not one of them.

Carl R. Huebner
Albemarle County