Time for Lewis to rein in the rhetoric

I read Congressman John Lewis’ lament against Sen. John McCain and the tone of this year’s campaign. My first thought was, “Congressman, there you go again.”

I have deep respect for John Lewis. His gallantry on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and his tireless efforts throughout the civil rights era place him in the pantheon of great Americans in my book. However, in the last few years he seems to have descended from this lofty perch and begun spending more time clanging shrill cymbals of partisan — and needlessly racially divisive — nonsense. Two years ago, he warned African-American voters in Atlanta that if they elected a Republican as chairman of the Fulton County Commission we would return to the days of Bull Conner and fire hoses. (For which he was subsequently shamed into apologizing.) Now, he claims that the campaign of McCain echoes the long-ago rhetoric of former Alabama Gov. George Wallace. Is there a trend here?

These are serious times that require leaders to be closely scrutinized and the Democratic nominee is no exception. Does Sen. Obama possess a warm, common “I-feel-your-pain” touch or a cold “I-know-better-than-you-poor-saps-who-cling-to-your-guns-and-religion” elitism? Do Obama’s see-no-evil, blind-eye relationships with Weather Underground founder Bill Ayers, Pastor Jeremiah Wright, convicted felon and financial supporter Tony Rezko, ACORN, the Chicago political machine and the Democratic Party’s liberal base reflect a weakness on his part to stand up to friends and supporters when it is not convenient for him to do so — even when they are wrong? Will this elitism and weakness take us back to the era of suffocating regulations, anti-growth taxation and big government that even President Bill Clinton promised was over? McCain is right to raise these questions and should make no apologies for doing so.

That said, campaign supporters can go over the top and it is important for candidates to make sure everyone keeps things in perspective. Last Thursday, I attended the U.S. Senate debate in Perry. The Jim Martin campaign and its union surrogates organized buses from Atlanta to bring in supporters. These Democratic Party activists repeatedly screamed slurs at Sen. Saxby Chambliss — while he was trying to speak — which included “liar,” “draft dodger,” “crook” and “warmonger.” I have yet to hear Jim Martin, Lewis or any other Democratic leader rebuke this kind of hysteria expressed by their supporters. Contrast this silence to McCain’s rebuke this weekend of his supporters who had gone too far.

This is a tough campaign and it ought to be, given what is at stake. Hard questions need to be asked of both parties in terms of policies and character.

While doing so, I expect my Republican Party to follow the lead of our national standard-bearer and make sure we keep things in perspective. My question to Lewis — and for that matter Martin and Obama — is this, “Will you do the same?” So far, your silence is deafening.

• Ed Lindsey, a Republican, represents Georgia’s 54th state House district.