McCain's N.Y. Snub Is Wise

Why blame John McCain for basing his regional headquarters in Woodbridge, N.J., instead of the news capital of the nation, New York City? Some consider this pass a snub. I think it's the smart thing to do. Why waste time in this liberal-dominated town where voters support Democrats who do nothing but raise taxes to fund worthless programs?

When did we become so gullible? I'm using the editorial "we" out of politeness, but I'm a native New Yorker who never voted for President Carter, Governor Spitzer, or any of the Democrats gumming up the New York State Assembly. I'm not that crazy about the New York Republicans either, but I did vote twice for Mayor Giuliani. Why not set term limits for state offices?

I'm betting this city will vote overwhelmingly for Senator Obama, who advocates "change," which of course makes him the right man. Oh, please. Every time I ask one of the Obama swooners to tell me how he will actually enact all these wonderful changes, they look at me with this deer-in-the-headlights look. Then they shrug and say: "I just think it's good for the country to elect a black man."

I'm usually not a conspiracy theorist, but I have this sneaky suspicion that the leaders of the Democratic Party picked Mr. Obama to run because they knew he couldn't win. Do you honestly think they were unaware of the Reverend Wright or any of the dubious ties the Illinois senator has? Why on earth would they select the senator with the most liberal record to run for the highest office? Democrats have a number of African American candidates with little or no baggage and voting records that would appeal to voters across all party lines.

Why didn't they pick Harold Ford Jr., a former congressman who was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition? This group is made up of conservative and moderate Democrats and would have national appeal. What about Reps. Sanford Bishop Jr. or David Scott? Both are from Georgia and members of the coalition. No, they picked Mr. Obama, who voted against a bill that would allow babies who survived abortion to receive life-saving treatment.

A friend of mine writes: "What vexes me is this: It is because of the appointments of Powell and Rice to marquee positions that Obama could even be considered as a presidential candidate. NOBODY says anything about that. I also have great antipathy for Obama, as he voted AGAINST Rice for Secretary of State. If that is how it is going to go, then I do NOT have to vote for him either."

But liberal New Yorkers will, just as they voted for Senator Kerry and Vice President Gore. Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic woman who rescued 2500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto, lost the Nobel Prize to Mr. Gore, who made a film showing polar bears in danger.

So I don't blame Mr. McCain for headquartering in a state where he at least has a chance of being listened to.

John McCain obviously reads the Bible. Mark 6: "And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." My daughter peeked over my shoulder and took umbrage at my words. "I hate when people blame Americans for everything and now you're lumping all New Yorkers together," she huffed.

I challenge New Yorkers to prove me wrong come November.

acolon@nysun.com