The Democrat & Chronicle writes about The Clarks, of Batavia -- a home divided by the presidential race.
That's where they hatched the plan to bisect the exterior of their home with yellow caution tape from the tippy-top of the third story, through the flower bed across the lawn and to the sidewalk. On the right side of the tape is a blue-and-white sign showing support for Clark's preferred Presidential candidate: Republican John McCain. On the left side, Lexi and Katherine's pick: Democrat Barack Obama.
"Lexi is very interested in politics this year and as a parent when you see your child express an interest in something you try to expose them to more and more of it," said Clark, a driver for Golden State Foods in Rochester. He wants to encourage Lexi's interest in politics, just as he does Woody's interest in aerospace and Katherine's interest in art.
Who can argue with a parent encouraging his children to stretch their own wings? It's great that he respects his children's' choices on these issues.
But, what caught my eye was that his reasons for supporting McCain are rather spurious.
"My biggest worry as a parent is taxes," said Clark, who shares custody of his three children with ex-wife Patti Burey of Batavia. "And as a parent raising three children, I want to make sure the future is bright for them and make sure they are well off."
McCain's temperament, experience and demeanor make him the best pick for the White House, he said.
McCain "will bring great leadership to Washington," Clark said. And, he said, McCain's conservative credentials mean he's the one who will slash spending, cut taxes and put America back on solid footing again.
Taxes? As the debate over "Not-Joe Not-The Plumber" the past few days has made clear, Obama's tax plan clearly favors people like Mr. Clark far more than McCain's.
McCain's temperament? The man known for his fits of pique and floor stomping displays of rage? Did you watch the third debate, Mr. Clark?
Conservative? McCain thinks the government should solve problems, not get out the way. There's very little about McCain's world view -- such as it is -- that is conservative. He's just another Big Government Republican, more interested in Empire and Plutocracy than caring about your kids.
Not that Obama is any better -- he's not. But those are thee pretty bad reasons to support John McCain.
And neither man will be able to do much of what they say they'll do, not with $10 trillion in debt, Iraq sucking another $10 billion out of the Treasury each month, Bin Laden still uncaught, a financial system in apparent chaos, energy concerns and rising unemployment. The pie-in-the-sky promises of either McCain or Obama will be forgotten by Jan. 21.
But let's end on a positive note:
Once the election is over, however, the family plans to heal their partisan divide.
"All of our arguments are all in good fun and whoever wins the election will have the full support of everyone in this house," said Mark Clark. "We're planning on putting out new signs then."
