We challenge all of you, including "moderates," "liberals" and "conservatives," to think through the issues. We don’t claim to have "all" the truth, or to be right about everything, and don’t harbor ill will toward others in the political arena who differ from us. We do strongly believe that John McCain is a much better choice for president than Barack Obama, and we strongly submit that had a "celebrity" nominee not been anointed by Big Media’s Big Push, as Obama has and continues to be, that choice would be even more clear to all but the most far-left among us.

What we say to all of you we say respectfully, without arrogance or conceit. We don’t claim to "know it all" but have also gotten tired of being talked down to by those on the Left and in Big Media who seem to think they do.

First, we address those of you who might describe yourselves as "left of center," "moderate to liberal," or "liberal." Please keep in mind that there are many of that description who have rejected the "Obama train" and are supporting McCain/Palin. Many are women who supported Hillary Clinton, and have become disgusted with the vile, sexist attacks on Sarah Palin, and recognize the far-left Obama/Biden ticket for what it is.

Please keep in mind that you don’t have the "dilemma" of voting for "right-wingers" if you don’t vote for Obama/Biden. John McCain has made a career of being an independent-minded person, who does what he thinks is right. How refreshing. He was left for dead, politically, about a year ago, particularly because he was the lone ranger calling for the surge in Iraq, which turned out to be the best approach. Even if you don’t think we should have ever gone to Iraq, we didn’t need to leave there in defeat, and the surge not only kept that from happening, it yielded tremendous positive results that will help a country with a developing democracy–something that flies in the face of some of its dictatorial neighbors.

John McCain has shown over and over again that he has a tremendous amount of intestinal fortitude, or "guts," if we may speak frankly. Given what our country and our world faces at this moment, speaking frankly is a necessity. So is possessing intestinal fortitude.

So, what does he do when it comes time to pick a running mate? Go the "safe" route, like Obama did? Pick the "old guard" VP candidate, like Obama did? No, he does what John McCain does, he thinks for himself, outside the lines of the ordinary, and he selects a fellow maverick, a down to earth "real" person in Sarah Palin. Someone who has done what she thinks is right, even when that goes against the wishes of some power brokers in her own party. And both have been unmercifully attacked by the Left, the Obama campaign, and their good friends, Big Media, from that moment to the present.

Therefore, moderates to liberals, you have the toughest choice, perhaps. Do you do what is best for your country, or do you do what the leftists in the Democratic party insist upon–the party which may be yours as well? We don’t see how in the world you can make any other decision than to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin. We know you may have wanted Hillary Clinton, and we don’t disrespect you or her for your preference. But, think about what has happened. The liberal media, whom many thought would "fold" for Hillary Clinton, instead attacked her, and engaged in what many think were sexist attacks, those that foreshadowed what they are now doing to Sarah Palin.

So, should Barack Obama and Joe Biden be rewarded with your vote? We will tell you that the author of these columns is a male. There is no way a male can say that he "really" relates to what it is like to be a female, not if he is honest. But he can think that there is no way on God’s green earth that he could bring himself to vote for Obama/Biden, if he was a woman, given how Big Media has run over both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. We simply would not "reward" Obama/Biden and Big Media with our vote, given what they have done.

You do know, we suppose, that the Obama/Biden campaign has recently run another ad that ridicules Sarah Palin, one that even a NOW official has condemned. Please, do not reward these "politics as usual" candidates–Obama and Biden–who are masquerading as agents of "change."

In a nutshell...don’t fall for the "sales job" of the Left and Big Media for Barack Obama. We know you are intelligent people, and we don’t mean to insult you by saying that. However, there is a "follower" mentality that is so prevalent in today’s society, and real courage and real independence demands that you think for yourself and not "jump off the cliff" just because others are doing so or are urging you to do so.

For all you evangelicals out there who cringe at the thought of someone putting you in that "conservative," or, even worse, "right-wing conservative" box, and who instead consider yourselves "enlightened" and part of the "post-modern" world, and are so attracted to the one preaching "change" while giving a nod to "people of faith," and to the non-evangelicals as well...please give it a lot of thought before pulling the lever for Obama.

Are you really ready for...

– higher taxes, and even higher budget deficits, accompanied by the "government needs to solve all our problems" mentality of the Left. There is nothing inherently "Christian" or "caring" in promoting a "cradle to grave" entitlement in this country, particularly one which fosters dependence on welfare instead of independence and freedom to excel, and which stifles economic growth and damages small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.

– less security for all Americans. "Open borders" that permit dangerous drug dealers and gangs to travel unfettered into our country, committing violent criminal acts and making our cities and towns less safe. The danger from that bunch pales in comparison to the rogue terrorists who will be able to take advantage of these "open borders" to bring into this country whatever means of destruction they can get their hands on–be it suicide bomb material, biological weapons (enough to destroy a city’s population can fit in a duffel bag), chemical weapons, and, even worse, nuclear weapons.

– while these criminals and terrorists are at it, the country will be "led" by one who has consistently spoken against the eavesdropping wiretap program (now he is for it, after he was against it? Sound familiar?). So, those undesirables will be able to talk freely on their cell phones as they plan their destructive acts, if the actual agenda of Obama is instituted and the eavesdropping program is scrapped–which is precisely what the Left has wanted and one of the reasons Obama is their candidate.

–the least amount of experience in a Commander-in-Chief in possibly the entire history of this country. Nancy Pelosi embarrassed herself, her party, and her country with her ill-advised trip to Syria, soon after becoming Speaker of the House. Instead of establishing a "shadow presidency" to challenge the authority of President Bush, which some observers said was the purpose of her trip, she instead came off looking foolish and immature, particularly when her claim that she was carrying a "message" from Israel was totally rebuffed by the Israelis. She ended up being used for PR fodder by her Syrian hosts. Get ready for more of that, presumably from both herself and Obama, if he is elected. Though we cannot consider ourselves as "supporters" of Hillary Clinton, we don’t believe for a moment that she would have done such a thing as go to a terrorist-sponsoring nation like Syria and get used like that, and come across as misinformed. Senator Clinton would have known better.

–the judgeships to which Obama will make appointments, from the federal district courts to the highest court in the land. Think of the long-term effect that will have, life-time appointments to judges who will "legislate" their version of things, topple laws passed by duly-elected legislatures, and with their court decisions help the secular-progressives’ assault on traditional values continue to gain steam.

–speaking of secular progressives...those of you who consider yourselves to be "people of faith," are you comfortable aligning yourselves with the secular far-Left, whose "culture war" on most all things traditional, including most of Christianity, threatens the very core values that our country was founded upon and has flourished under? Make no mistake, for whatever bones Obama may throw to those from the "faith" camp, it is the secular Left, including financier George Soros, the leftist websites, and others, who are in the driver’s seat with Obama at the helm. If he is elected, that is the first of their dreams coming true.

–"leadership," "change" and "credibility" from someone who spent 20 years in a church pastored by an extremist, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Wright’s rantings are referenced elsewhere on this site and have been covered by at least some of the media, and can fairly be described as reflecting the view of the "blame America" crowd, and who has said many unflattering things about this country. We are to be led by a guy whose "spiritual mentor" has on numerous occasions let fly with inappropriate remarks regarding the land that Obama is supposed to lead?

–you seriously believe that Obama knew nothing of the above, sat in that church for 20 years and was not aware of the extremist rantings of his spiritual mentor? About that guy with the deed to the Brooklyn Bridge...

–another spiritual "contact" of Obama is the leftist Catholic priest of Chicago, Rev. Michael Pfleger, who did the tirade at Obama’s church derisively mocking Sen. Clinton, and has spoken in glowing terms about Louis Farrakahn, whose hate-filled words toward others are well documented.

–something not reported on much at all by Big Media: Farrakhan has referred to Obama as "the Messiah"...let’s say that one more time...for the most part, Big Media hasn’t even bothered to report that.

In short, we can’t find one reason why the far-left positions of Barack Obama, along with his questionable associations, to put it mildly, should attract anyone who calls themself a "moderate" or even a fair-minded liberal. Certainly for the moderates and independents out there, don’t be fooled–Obama is as far to the left as they come, and electing him would be a bad mistake that would take at least four years to remedy.

Case in point: Jimmy Carter. Carter, a Southern Baptist, had attracted voters across the South who no doubt would have considered themselves to be at least "social" conservatives, though they may have called themselves traditional Democrats and/or moderates. There were untold numbers of the Southern Baptist faithful, along with other evangelicals, who voted for Carter and helped put him over the top against Gerald Ford. We remember reading a letter to the editor of a news magazine from a reader in Georgia, where Carter had been governor, prior to the 1976 election. The letter said, in effect, "we’re laughing here in Georgia because of all of you across the nation who think Jimmy Carter is a ‘conservative’."

After watching the Carter administration for four years, we realized that reader was on to something. Carter’s campaign apparently did not mind in the least that all of those Southern Baptists, and other evangelicals, were attracted to him because of his church affiliation and the perception that he wasn’t "really" that much of a social liberal.

As a result, the country was rewarded with bad leadership for the next four years, and a "malaise" that saw Americans’ morale reach rock bottom. Cars lined up at gas stations, not because a hurricane had just happened, but because that was just how it was. Fumbling at the top of our government, including the botched effort to rescue the hostages in Iran that failed.

Unfortunately for Carter, but beneficially for the nation, four years later the above voting bloc largely went for Ronald Reagan, and with a groundswell of support from a variety of groups, including moderates, independents, and "Reagan" Democrats, he soundly defeated a sitting president, and brought a new era to American politics. The hostages were released on the day of his inauguration.

How about we learn from our mistakes? How about we don’t ignore history and then repeat it? So, independents and moderates, you being the ones the pundits often say determine the outcome of an election, remember Jimmy Carter. That ought to be reason enough to not elect Barack Obama, who is every bit to the left as Carter is now.

In the end, what you really have in Obama is a far-left leftist, regardless of his soft-shoe routine to the "middle" as the election draws nigh. For a good number of you "independent-minded" evangelicals and others who are political moderates, John Kerry was too liberal for you. Michael Dukakis and Walter Mondale were too liberal for you. So why is it any different with Barack Obama, who has less experience than any of those just mentioned, and is more liberal than any of those?

And, no, we aren’t just telling you why we think you shouldn’t vote for Obama. We see plenty of reasons to support John McCain and Sarah Palin, even for those who aren’t "conservatives." Forget the hollow attempt at the Democrat National Convention to "make" John McCain into the second coming of George W. Bush. How many different ways can we say it? That misses the mark, it doesn’t hold water, it won’t work, and it just isn’t true. Their own party’s nominee from four years ago (John Kerry) wanted McCain to be his running mate, for crying out loud.

If John McCain is anything, he is his own person. We don’t imagine he endured five years of torture and had that much of his life taken away, as well as much of his health, just so he could come back over here and be beholden to a political party–any political party. He said "country first," and we think he means it.

Then there’s all of you who consider yourselves to be "true" conservatives, including the evangelicals who are "conservatives," both theologically and politically, and who make no apologies for that. Many of you were not thrilled that John McCain became the nominee of the Republican Party, the only one of the two major parties that has paid much attention to you (and your positions on the issues) over the years.

Since you didn’t get "your guy" as the nominee, whoever that was, some of you think it is time to just "sit this one out" and "show" those Republicans how "powerful" you are, that they’d better listen to you in the future if they want to win another presidential election? That since you aren’t that happy with McCain, you will just let the chips fall, without you voting, and wait for "next time"?

Without repeating what we have said above, how can you even consider "sitting out" this election and failing to exercise your right– and responsibility– to vote? With all that is on the line?

It appears to us that the Left has itched and itched some more for a candidate that it and its alter ego, Big Media, could elevate into a "star," a "celebrity President," if you will. Do you know that Obama decisively lost his first effort to run for Congress, challenging a Democratic incumbent and not coming close? So now, fast forward a few years later, and the same guy is the New Messiah?

However, on the right, it appears to us that some evangelicals who are political and social conservatives want a candidate who says all the right things on all the issues on which conservatives focus, and anyone who falls short in most any of those areas is suspect, and in John McCain’s case, too far to the "left" to be considered. Never mind that Senator McCain has long been pro-life, for smaller government, and is a fiscal conservative...he just wasn’t "our" candidate.

Who do you, conservative evangelicals, think will make Supreme Court appointments more like Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito and less like Justices Ginsberg and Stevens? Who truly recognizes the threat our very freedom–including freedom to practice our religion–faces from Islamic terrorists bent on destroying anyone who does not agree with them, and with an agenda to wipe Israel off the face of the earth? Who is going to stand up to that very present danger in the strongest manner, most effectively, and not blink one iota in the face of rogue dictators and nations threatening America and our continued existence? Who is going to stand with you on the issues of abortion, partial birth abortion, and preserving the sanctity of marriage?

We don’t mean any offense by our frankness. In addition, we wrote the above section directed to conservatives before Senator McCain’s historic selection of Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. It seems that conservatives everywhere have been energized by his choice, and that enthusiasm isn’t confined to those on the right.

John McCain has hit a "home run" with conservatives by selecting Sarah Palin. That should both reassure conservatives and attract moderates. We sincerely hope that those of you on the "right" who had hesitations about McCain recognize that he has not forgotten you with his selection of Gov. Palin–though she is also a maverick in her own right, which we see as a very good thing.

Not to mention, which candidate is a real American hero, who knows–absolutely first-hand–the cost of the huge sacrifice given by the brave men and women who daily protect our freedom?

You know the answer. If the above is not enough reason to run, not walk, to the voting polls on Election Day, and to bring all your friends and neighbors with you, to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin, then there may be nothing more we can say to convince you.

So, conservatives, whether evangelical or not, recognize that the Republican nominee offers far more to our country, and your own political agenda, than anyone on the Democrats’ side could. Moderates and liberals from the evangelical realm, and those of you who don’t want that religious moniker, remember the historic pattern, and the saying that those who ignore history are doomed (yes, doomed) to repeat it...

Here we are again, now in 2008, and the far-left Democrats have brought out the "big guns" powered in no small part by Big Media. Many initially thought that would mean Senator Clinton, but, alas, much to their surprise (and hers, we imagine), Big Media repudiated its last "First Family," circa 1992, and sprung instead for the new one on the block. The rest is Democratic primary history.

Leftist national Democrats and Big Media are counting on history repeating itself, and their "newly anointed one" being elected president. In a country in which too many of us are beholden to celebrities and "star" power, the Left and its best friend Big Media are ready to deliver: the one they think is without equal, the one they think will take us to the "promised land," Barack Obama.

And, they are totally serious. No joke. Here is someone who didn’t come close in his first Congressional race. Who then caught a huge break in the Illinois Senatorial race when his would-be Republican opponent, who then had a big lead over Obama in the polls, was taken down by a scandal and didn’t even make it to the general election. That scandal "mysteriously" appeared after the primary election but before the general election. Without that tremendous break, would the rest of us have even heard of Barack Obama?

He then enters the U. S. Senate, and after a brief time of basically nondescript service, starts running non-stop for President.

Now, we have the "new" campaign, complete with "change." No, we don’t. Obama has repeated so much of the same-old-tired-sayings from past defeated Democratic candidates, that even the tires on his car must be re-treads. Yet, he has done so with media star power and with better oratorical skills than the original users of those sayings, and the rolling snowball has grown to a near-avalanche, if you believe Big Media.

We return to where we started:

To those of you in the middle and who lean left: Don’t fall for Big Media’s Big Push. John McCain has the balance and resolve to be an effective leader, without the ideological concerns of the "right-wingers" you fear most. Some of you wanted Senator Clinton to be the Democratic nominee. You saw what Big Media did to her. Think they should be rewarded by you voting for Obama? He didn’t even take the opportunity to make more history by naming her as his running mate. But, look who did take that opportunity, with fellow reformer, Sarah Palin.

To those of you in the middle and who lean right: John McCain does not have the ideology "extremes" of either the leftists who anger you or the "right-wingers" whom you think go too far, and he has the experience and resolve to face the challenges of the next presidency. If you are old enough to have been a "Reagan Democrat" or know what they were, then McCain is your guy. Most of you didn’t vote for John Kerry. Why vote for another Democratic senator who is even more liberal?

And, to those of you squarely on the right: Don’t sit at home on Election Day. Realize what you will help make happen if you do. You will not be able to lay the blame at the feet of the leftists who repulse you or the "moderates" you consider to be "lukewarm." John McCain has much more in common with Ronald Reagan than either the Left cares to admit or those on the right have recognized. You can work with this man, and he will listen. He’s proven that with his unique selection of Sarah Palin. Whether he agrees with everything you say should not and cannot be the "true" test of his candidacy.

Go vote for McCain/Palin, and vote only once, but bring everyone you know with you who will do the same.