Letters: Sep. 18, 2006

President Hillary?

Having established a track record in the Senate, the former First Lady eyes a run back to the White House in 2008. While some readers called Hillary Clinton's reputation as a polarizing figure undeserved, many saw it as an obstacle, regardless of how they voted in our cover poll

THE VOTES

In the Mail We asked readers to check one of the boxes on our Aug. 28 cover to let us know how they feel about Hillary Clinton. In response, a blizzard of 4,539 covers blew back at us. That's a lot of snail mail in this digital age. The results:

LOVE HER ... 2,286

HATE HER ... 2,122

NEITHER ... 131

Online And 110,029 votes were recorded by our informal, unscientific time.com poll (hey, clicking's a lot easier):

LOVE HER ... 40,821

HATE HER ... 39,280

NEITHER ... 29,928

I read your story on Hillary Clinton [Aug. 28] with great interest and enjoyed learning more about her. But I resent the implication from your cover that I must "hate her" because I don't share her political views. Although I cannot imagine a scenario in which I could personally support her presidential candidacy, I harbor no hatred for her.

SEAN M. HIGGINS

Maineville, Ohio

Not only is Hillary ready to run, but she's also ready to govern. Unlike the current occupant of the White House, she has the intellect and ability to make this country as good as it was when her husband was President. And if, God forbid, we should ever face another disaster like Hurricane Katrina, Clinton wouldn't leave thousands stranded for days in a sports stadium.

CRAIG HENNIN

Chicago

Senator Clinton would run a competitive race for the presidency in 2008, but I do not believe she would win. Republican attacks on her would make the swift boating of John Kerry look like child's play. The country does not need another bitterly divisive presidential campaign. We need a Democratic President to repair the damage done to the U.S. domestically and internationally by this Administration. I hope Hillary can shelve her presidential ambitions for now. She will be a better candidate later--older, wiser and more altruistic.

MARY C. CAULFIELD

Farmington Hills, Mich.

If Hillary were to win, the division between Republicans and Democrats would worsen. Republican men tend to be fearful of strong women. I foresee nothing but war on the home front for the whole term. It might be better for Hillary to run as Vice President on a ticket with a presidential candidate who can bring both parties together.

PENNY PAWL

Napa, Calif.

You state that Clinton has a "centrist vision." Are you kidding? She's no centrist, although she wants everyone to believe she is. If she makes it to the White House, the mask will come off.

JOSEP TOFFANELLO

Tinley Park, Ill.