Too Much

I don't often use other people's commentaries on current events because I prefer to develop my own opinion. The "ditto head' society we live in, in which so many people have a select few in the media they trust without reservation is dangerous to independent thought. However, I read one article that nails one story, and saw a commentary on tv, that nails another similar story.

Last Friday, Former Arkansas Governor and former Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee attempted a joke at the expense of Senator Barack Obama. While speaking to the NRA, a loud noise was heard behind the stage and Gov. Huckabee cracked, "that was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he - he dove for the floor." The Minneapolis Star Tribune published a letter that hits Huckabee hard by reversing this situation on him. How would you feel if a group of people who do not like you, led by a staunch opponent of yours, joked about killing you?

Yesterday, Senator Hillary Clinton made a stupid statement about assassination when asked why some people want her to end her candidacy saying, "We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. You know, I just don't understand it. You know, there's lots of speculation about why it is." Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC discussed this issue at great length last night, ending with a "special comment" (Watch the Video) from Olbermann.

Why do rival politicians choose to invoke the thought of killing Barack Obama? I do not think they do it on purpose, but it is difficult to trust a politicians true motives sometimes. If I were a betting man, I would bet on Barack Obama being the victorious candidate in November. Therefore, anything to get him out of the picture would benefit Hillary Clinton and the Republicans. Obviously, they are hoping for a scandal (The Republicans have already launched research into Obama hoping to "Swift Boat" him and Hillary Clinton's "Kitchen Sink" strategy has been the life support to her campaign the last 2 months). Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I just think its too convenient to brush aside the comments as similar campaign gaffs. It is simple political science to go negative and attempt to smear your opponent when you are trailing, but no other Presidential contender has had to deal with multiple opponents implying assassination.

This story unveils the dark truth of Barack Obama's campaign. For the last several months and for the next several months, he has needed and will need more security around him and his family, than any other presidential contender in the history of the United States. The overwhelming majority of the country, whether they love or hate him, do not want to see Obama or his family physically harmed. But, it only takes one person. One racist bigot, one moron, one person to take him down. While any politician deals with a various range of threats, any individual in a clear state of mind will understand why the stakes are greater with Barack Obama and for anybody, particularly highly visible politicians to be reckless enough to imply anything like this, is reprehensible and embarrassing to our country and political process.

Bottom Line: I hope Hillary Clinton's and Mike Huckabee's political careers are over.

Rabbit