Leaders vs. Complainers

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Once again, Obama has shown himself to be the leader we need during these times. A leader more than capable of working together with foreign leaders and the people of their countries to tackle the serious challenges of the present day.

Obama has used his overseas trip to establish a strong rapport with leaders such as President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Jordan's King Abdullah. He understands that America is at its strongest when our leaders work with others to advance the causes of human rights across the globe - to put a halt to the various threats to the safety of the human race.

Meanwhile, it is John McCain who has shown the same lack of integrity that has marked the Bush presidency. McCain's campaign has been stepping up his criticism of Obama, to the point where they have contradicted their own criticisms.

1. Seventeen days after taking a trip abroad to Columbia and Mexico, five weeks after giving a paid campaign speech in Canada, and two months after criticizing Obama for not going to Iraq, the McCain campaign criticizes Obama for taking a trip abroad that includes a stop in Iraq.
2. Eleven days after holding a press conference to claim that Obama is a serial flip-flopper, McCain argues that Obama is the most extremist member of the Senate.
3. Five days after releasing a documentary criticizing Obama for flip-flopping on Iraq, the McCain campaign argues that Obama is too inflexible on Iraq.
4. After spending April and May calling Obama an elitist, they spent June and July calling him "typical."

As we are acutely aware, attacks like the ones McCain have launched are about as commonplace in politics as snow is in a Michigan winter. And, quite frankly, I do see some need for Obama to continue to call out McCain, just as the DNC has been doing and just as I am doing here.

But if all someone has to offer is negative, contradictory rhetoric, then they cannot be trusted with the safety and security of the American public. Fear will not defeat terrorism, lies will not educate our kids, and neither McCain nor anyone else can distort their way to energy independence.