Is Obama Trying To Self Destruct?

Yesterday the hoopla on the political front was about presumed Democratic Nominee Barack Obama being accused of injecting race into the presidential campaign with the following quote:

"So nobody really thinks that Bush or McCain have a real answer for the challenges we face, so what they're going to try to do is make you scared of me," he told voters in Springfield. "You know, he's not patriotic enough. He's got a funny name. You know, he doesn't look like all those other Presidents on those dollar bills, you know. He's risky. That's essentially the argument they're making."

This is the second time that Obama has subtlety referenced race as a potential scare tactic for Republicans. This quote is simply irresponsible on his part, although Senator John McCain's campaign has become more "negative" in the last 2 weeks.

Obama has to realize that the presidential race is essentially a dead heat, and McCain has really run a lackluster campaign. While it's becoming clearer that he will not be choosing Hillary Clinton as his running mate, he may not have a choice if he really wants to become president. It pains me to watch arrogance self destruct such great potential.