I absolutely detest that race has become such an issue in the current presidential campaign, but since it has, I would be remiss to leave it unaddressed. Actually, I believe race was an issue even before it became an issue.

I suspect that a significant number of white voters who are supporting Barack Obama are doing so because the image and persona he presents is in such stark contrast to images and ideas those voters have of black men in general. I hope this is not the case. I hope they are supporting him because they have done their homework -- that is, they have familiarized themselves with major issues and objectively tried to determine the best way of dealing with those issues; they have familiarized themselves with both candidates' positions on those issues and decided that Obama's answers are the ones best for the nation as a whole; and their research has suggested to them that he is a man of honor and integrity. Hopefully, John McCain supporters have scrutinized McCain in the same manner.

Speaking of McCain -- he seems to be as honorable and trustworthy as any politician I have seen in my lifetime. Of course, saying someone is as honorable and trustworthy as a politician is not saying a whole lot. But the image McCain presents, frankly, is pathetic when compared with Obama's. Now, we're talking image here, not substance. Before voters cast their votes, I hope each and every one of them will have made an honest effort to see beyond polished, scripted political speeches (whether they be Obama's or McCain's) to try to see an accurate picture of the man and the message.

Geraldine Ferraro raised the question of whether Barack Obama would be where he is today if he were white. This is a legitimate question to ask, because we are all better served when our presidents are elected because of their ideas and ability to bring them to fruition, instead of anything over which they had absolutely no control. And when I say ideas, I mean ideas whose proposed manners of implementation are laid out, step-by-step, for the American people to examine, in order to evaluate the likelihood of those ideas ever having a chance of being put into place.

For instance, it sure sounds good to talk of "uniting America," but how, precisely, will Mr. Obama do that? I want to hear a detailed plan to unite America. We are divided in so many ways; men/women -- Christian/Jewish/Muslim/atheist -- gay/straight -- black/white -- blue collar/white collar; the list is endless. What, explicitly, can be done to "unite" us? Of course, the idea of "unity" sounds real good to all those in society who perceive that whatever injustices (real or imagined) they have suffered have resulted from a lack of "unity."

What if Obama were white? Would people still be falling at his feet? Perhaps people are so sick of the racial divide in this country that they see electing a black president as a sort of panacea for racial conflict. Some white voters might even be thinking that if Obama is elected largely as a result of white voter support, then those white voters can say to the black community, "See? We're not prejudiced! Just look what we did. We elected a black man as president! So can you now please stop the foul language, the victim mentality, the babies born with no father present and a mother who can't even afford to feed herself, much less her child?" Of course, people from all ethnicities have demonstrated their apparent fondness for such things, but, unjustly, blacks seem to get stuck with much of the blame. But for those voters who think that white voters' electing Mr. Obama will somehow send a cure-all olive branch to minority communities, think again. Ain't gonna happen.

And let us not forget that, unfortunately, at least a portion of our population is mesmerized by Barack Obama's dashing good looks, his apparent command of the English language, and the press's omnipresent coverage of him. In fact, Obama's demeanor, deportment, handsomeness, and glowing oratory are reminiscent of descriptions I've seen of the Christian Antichrist.

Poor John McCain. The old guy just ain't much to look at. Nobody is going to vote for John McCain because of his looks, the sound of his voice, his stylish dress, or because he's a fresh face. If you vote for John McCain, you're voting for him because you know his message and it appeals to you. There simply is no other reason to vote for him, unless you're one of those sad voters who don't want a black man in office under any circumstances.

If, on the other hand, you're voting for Barack Obama, good for you. All I ask is that your decision to support him is based on objective fact-finding, at least a little familiarity with world and American history, and some bona fide soul-searching. Don't vote for him just because he's black. And don't vote for him just 'cause the guy's got a pretty face and killer smile.