Sen. John McCain’s recent comments deriding Sen. Barack Obama’s suggestion that Americans could use less gas by keeping their car tires properly inflated were very unpresidential. The McCain people mocked Obama’s recommendation by offering “$25 Obama Tire Gauges.”

This is just the latest example of how McCain and his “Straight Talk Express” try to improve his poll numbers by using ridicule and other low-level tactics to try to belittle his opponent’s ideas. This is not the kind of honorable campaign McCain promised to run.

These comments also show McCain is out of touch with regular Americans who do have to worry about high gas prices. In the short run, there are basically two things consumers can do to spend less money on gasoline: buy less gas by driving less and squeeze more miles out of each gallon used. Keeping your tires properly inflated is (according to the EPA) a key strategy to getting better gas mileage. Apparently as a multimillionaire, McCain doesn’t have to worry about his gas bill.

I am very disappointed that McCain finds it necessary to try to belittle and ridicule Obama in order to win this election. I much prefer a leader who inspires people to do better and to achieve greatness to one who tries to get ahead by trying to tear down his opponent.

The next time the “Straight Talk Express” hits the road, I hope it takes a higher road and a tire gauge.

Steve Colburn

Orono