Americans are entitled to serious debate about serious issues in campaigns as important as this one. However, McCain and his supporters have adopted Karl Rovian unethical tactics and are using smears, misinterpretations and outright lies, and are proposing gimmicky or simplistic solutions to problems in hopes of gaining an advantage over Obama. A small sampling:

— We recently received an e-mail containing shameful nonsense implying that Obama is a tool of Islam. I’m told that the Internet is full of such lies and worse.

— Casual comments by Obama about how he looks different from the usual politician immediately led to accusations that he was using the “race card” to make points with blacks.

— McCain has been pushing ideas that are questionable at best, for example, a reduction in gas taxes or more offshore oil drilling.

— McCain has charged that Obama would rather lose a war than an election.

As an American, I am deeply disappointed and dismayed by such campaigning. As a Democrat, I am angered. If I were a Republican, I hope I would be ashamed. A candidate who campaigns in this way displays an inability to understand this complex world and a lack of moral strength.  Why on earth would you vote for such a candidate?