Three Wise Men

You may remember the Saddleback Civil Forum, where Obama and McCain each had the opportunity to chat it up with Rick Warren. In case you're interested in reading, here's the transcript from that night. One of the questions asked that night of each candidate was to name the three wisest people in their lives. McCain answered that they were Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Rep. John Lewis and Meg Whitman.

I thought you might be interested in what one of McCain's admittedly wisest people in his life had to say this past week.

"As one who was a victim of violence and hate during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I am deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign. What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.

As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all. They are playing a very dangerous game that disregards the value of the political process and cheapens our entire democracy. We can do better. The American people deserve better."

As you may know, I don't often agree with McCain. But I think he is right, John Lewis is a very wise man.