Oh man…this was a little uncomfortable…I was watching the cold open live last night @ The Island Merchant w/out audio when I saw the camera pan over to Cindy McCain playing the Vanna White role, cringe…showing off what I learned this AM had been dubbed “McCain Fine Gold…” ha ha…watch for yourself…I couldn’t help but feel awkward looking at the characatures…as accurate as they may be…to utter a now common theme…this is not the John McCain of 2000.

I received an email from the Obama campaign pointing to a short documentary they’re planning to release at noon today on BarakObama.com. Should be interesting to see how it’s received.

Mr. McCain should put country first and suspend his campaign forever.

Yesterday in the Ashai Shimbun I read a reprint of Bob Herbert’s column in the New York Times in which Mr. Herbert says:

“If, on the other hand, it becomes clear that her performance, so far, is an accurate reflection of her qualifications, it would behoove John McCain and the Republican Party to put the country first — as Mr. McCain loves to say — and find a replacement for Ms. Palin on the ticket.”

Certainly the suggestion by Mr. Herbert and now others that Mr. McCain rethink his choice for vice-president makes some strategic sense within the confines of a campaign team wondering what other tactical arrows are in the quiver.

At this point, I for one believe that Mr. McCain knows in his heart that his campaign has failed on a number of fronts, namely; philosophical, ethical and strategic. As a self-proclaimed gambler he’s misplayed his hand…and that he may in fact be continuing to divide a country that badly needs inspiring leadership…a country that needs true mavericks to bring Americans and more importantly the world together in a concerted effort to improve humanity.

As such, I’m calling on Senator McCain to truly put “Country First” and suspend his campaign forever.

I’m asking him to sincerely join with Senator Obama, support his run for the 44th presidency of United States and work on the problems we face as a race.

The situations Americans have faced in the last few years have shown more clearly than ever before that calamities in one part of the world affect human progress in another. That while nations and borders still remain; the continuing expansion of human dignity, rights and freedoms by way of economic opportunities are paramount to how we conserve our finite resources and evolve our quality of life.

I believe Senator McCain knows this, I believe he can get past his personal situation for the greater good as he did while imprisoned, only to later embrace his enemie’s culture as a friend. And I believe while not of primary interest to Mr. McCain…In so doing, he can salvage his reputation as a true maverick, leader and American statesmen by taking this bold but necessary step.