Kevin Smith, responding to my Aug. 13 letter, suggests that major candidates should be viewed under the same microscope. I agree with this position and appreciate his input on perceived defects in John McCain's character. In my opinion, the only one that was suggested approached the level of Barack Obama's transgressions.

Smith cites McCain's involvement as one of the "Keating 5." Keating funneled substantial money to McCain's campaign fund in the same way that Rezko did for Obama. However, Obama also benefited financially. McCain did not.

Smith cites McCain's original acceptance of the support of Pastors Hagee and Parsley, to counter my citation of the Obama/ Wright association. However, McCain, unlike Obama, was never a 20-year member and substantial financial supporter of their ministries.

Lastly, Smith cannot be serious when he attempts to counter Obama's friendship and financial support from the unrepentant Weatherman terrorist bomber Ayres with McCain's congressional voting pattern along party lines. Get real!

I don't believe that citing character flaws in candidates for high public office is "taking the low road." For example, Obama claims he unites people, and his spouse is "my rock."

As a young woman, Michelle's senior thesis in Princeton reflected a strong sense of racial divide. Since that time the family's long-term association with Wright's church would certainly reinforce a racial separatist philosophy.

Ask yourself: How could parents, claiming a strong commitment to racial unity, expose their young and impressionable children to the toxic separatist/supremacy message of the likes of Wright and Farrakhan? That's not an unreasonable question.

McCain is not my candidate and will not be getting my vote. I speak against Obama's election because of an intense fear for my country run by the socialist, appeasement triumvirate of Obama, Pelosi and Reid.

Michael J. Keogh

Pinehurst