Letters

Rocket to the White House?

Senator Barack Obama may be focused on the upcoming congressional elections, but his supporters are eagerly anticipating a possible 2008 presidential run. Will he or won't he? Readers find his charisma and diplomatic approach refreshing but caution that he should wait until the time is right

After reading the excerpt from Barack Obama's new book, The Audacity of Hope, I've reconsidered my concern about his lack of experience [Oct. 23]. I'm inclined to vote for a smart, effective communicator and consensus builder who may have little experience but is pragmatic and inclusionary like him rather than someone who has experience but is absolutist and exclusionary. Our current President derived seemingly little benefit from his years as Governor of Texas. The Founding Fathers and another gentleman from Illinois in 1860 had no such qualifications, but they didn't do so badly.

JAMES M. MATAYA Annandale, Va.

As impressed as I am by Obama, I fear he would be this generation's Jimmy Carter, a man whose humility we appreciate and whose inexperience we're willing to overlook simply because we desire a change from the lies and arrogance of his immediate predecessors. The presidency is no place for on-the-job training.

HOWARD BALDWIN Sunnyvale, Calif.

To explain the mania surrounding Obama's political career, Joe Klein quoted Shelby Steele, who said that "it's all about gratitude" and that white Americans are enthusiastic about the Senator because he allows them to forget about "racial guilt." As an Asian American who strongly supports Obama, where do I fall? Once again, a conversation on race has been reduced to white and black. I am energized by the Senator because he is smart, thoughtful and pragmatic. He represents me, a Democrat with strong Christian values. He knows the struggle of trying to attain the American Dream and the difficulties of being an ethnic minority in America. It's as simple as that.

CHONG-HWA LEE Derwood, Md.

I am a Christian and conservative Republican, but I can't help hoping that Obama will become our next President. I believe he is wrong about abortion, but he has acknowledged in a refreshingly Socratic way that he can't just dismiss the views of those on the other side. That may be politicking to earn my vote, but if a pro-life Republican ultimately sends us into a third world war with status quo Republican rhetoric, a pro-life position is kind of pointless.

ERIC MURR Greencastle, Pa.

The story on Obama reminded me of something Bono, one of your previous Persons of the Year, has said repeatedly: "America is more than just a country; it's an idea." The Senator gives me a similar feeling. True, he hasn't done very much yet, and he may not be the boldest voice we are longing for. But the very idea of how he embodies America is what excites us Democrats. We are waiting to see where he takes us, and we are ready for the ride.

SIMEON HUMPHREYS Chicago

Obama may not be our aviour, but he has the charisma and capability to be our Moses and lead us out of the wilderness.

BILL LONGTINE Evansville, Ind.