Desperate times call for desperate measures. Apparently in Republican circles, they call for personal smears, making me wonder whether the party of "family values" believes only in the value of the end justifying the means.

Back in April, John McCain disavowed a North Carolina ad attacking Obama for his association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. "It's not the message of the Republican Party" McCain said. "I've pledged to conduct a respectful campaign." But that was before polls showed McCain losing ground. His "pledge" has turned out to be about as believable as his sudden transformation into "St. John" fighting the Wall Street dragon.

Now Sarah Palin declares Obama to be "someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country." Never mind the fact that Palin herself supported, and her husband belonged to, a secessionist Alaska political party. The point is to paint Obama not just as a terrorist sympathizer and America-hater, but as an alien.

Hopefully, people will see these tactics for what they are: lies and below the belt punches from a candidate who is about to lose.

Denise Cumbee Long

Raleigh

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