Unfounded Obama smears should be left in gutter

Editor,

Monday's letter from Daniel Martinez cannot go unchallenged. Much of the rhetoric included there is directly from the playbook of the John McCain camp and its Swift Boat allies, and it's patently untrue.

Sen. Barack Obama, for example, published his birth certificate some time ago and has made it available online. Yet, the ill-informed continue to claim it is unavailable as if to imply some conspiracy. Obama was born in Hawaii after it became a state, and John McCain, even though born in Panama, was born at a military base, so both qualify to run for the presidency.

Being a prisoner of war and enduring torture at the hands of our enemies is commendable and shows great love of and service to our country, but it has absolutely no bearing on the core issue: Is McCain really able to lead this country and act as commander in chief? In fact, McCain never held a command in the military. He has no more experience than Obama in leading a country in the complex international fight against terrorism, but it is at least clear that Obama plans to take the advice of his generals and his vice president - a man who has for many years served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he also chairs. He is ready to lead.

Martinez claims Obama is a liar but offers no proof. He claims he is a misogynist but, again, provides no facts. Obama's actions show him to be sincere, truthful and a loving husband and family man. Meanwhile, McCain's on-screen performances, including his abandonment of his first wife and his use of highly insulting language to his second wife, show he may well be a misogynist. Martinez clearly has a hidden agenda - perhaps he's a closet Republican or a disgruntled Clinton supporter. What he is not is a supporter of the Democratic Party or platform. A vote for McCain brings higher taxes on the middle class and more tax breaks for the rich. A vote for McCain denies health care to the poorest in our community. A vote for McCain continues the appalling legacy of President Bush with no perceptible change in strategy or direction. Obama brings a meaningful change in direction, a fresh perspective that promises lower taxes on the middle class, an end to the tax breaks offered by Bush and McCain to the rich and a universal health care system that will cover the millions of children and poor in this country that currently have no insurance. In the past, all too often the lies offered by Republican supporters such as Martinez have been left unchallenged. This year is different. Argue the issues by all means, Martinez, but leave the unfounded smears in the gutter where they belong.

Danny Lee

UNM staff