Obama-bashing baffling

My e-mail in-box continues to receive a steady stream of loathing directed at presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

Frankly, I'm finding it all quite baffling.

I mean, I have no problem with anyone who might not prefer Obama as our next president. He's not the most experienced candidate in the world, and some folks might simply disagree with him on the issues. No harm in that.

But I don't understand the vile hatred that Obama has rapidly cultivated. Sure, it's common for presidents, or presidential candidates, to be widely reviled. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush immediately come to mine. But at least in those cases, you had one guy who was a lying adulterer, and another who kind of comes across as a dolt.

But all Obama has done to inspire such hatred is commit the unconscionable sins of being black, and having a funny name. And for that, he is widely regarded as anything from a secret Muslim to the anti-Christ. Comedy Central's Jon Stewart gave the phenomenon a proper name: "Baracknophobia."

Call me a idealist if you will, but I had so hoped that we might have a presidential election this year framed around a reasoned debate on the issues facing our country. But the rise of Baracknophobia is a discouraging sign that the politics of personal destruction will continue to rule the day.