Letters: Aug. 23, 2004

What Makes John Kerry Tick

"Kerry's strength lies in being his own man. His lack of good-ole-boyism is a welcome relief. He is a serious leader for these serious times." NANCY BRANNIGAN Mountain View, Calif.

It was interesting to read the article by Joe Klein "Inside the Mind of John Kerry" [Aug. 2]. I am ecstatic that there is a candidate for the presidency who uses some discernment when making a decision, who considers every angle of an issue before taking action that will affect millions of people and the stability of nations. If Kerry had had the same decisions to make as George W. Bush did about dealing with a perceived terrorist threat from Iraq, it is probable that the risk would have been properly evaluated and mitigated with the cooperation of the world community. JANE MULCASTER San Jose, Calif.

Since I am neither a republican nor a Democrat, I can say objectively that Kerry would probably be a good President. But what is truly scary to me is that presidential elections seem to hinge on whether a candidate is likable instead of capable. It makes me wonder whether Abraham Lincoln would be elected if he ran today. Not likely. The challenges the U.S. faces, like terrorism and job outsourcing, are based on fundamental problems that will take years, if not decades, to solve. Politicians want to give voters the impression that there is a quick fix for difficulties that have developed over a long period of time. VIJAYALAKSHMI SENTHILKUMAR Beaumont, Texas

Kerry's military service and heroic acts in Vietnam cannot be overlooked in our current state of war. Who is President Bush to ask American troops to go abroad and fight when he was disinclined to do so himself? Only someone who knows what war entails can determine if war is truly necessary. MATTHEW HERMAN Westport, Conn.

Your article stated that "the Democratic candidate deals in shades of gray, which means reaching a decision can be a long and winding road." Unfortunately, Kerry's winding road contains so many hairpin turns--his flip-flops--that he does not inspire confidence. RICHARD L. JOHNSON College Station, Texas

I wasn't going to vote for Kerry because of his reputation for flip-flopping. But if it becomes evident you have made the wrong decision, it's time to flip-flop. When Kerry's eyes were opened to what was happening in Vietnam, he opposed the war that he had volunteered to fight in. I was taken in by the lies regarding the dangers posed by Iraq. I was in favor of a pre-emptive war to get Saddam Hussein before he used weapons of mass destruction against the U.S. or supplied them to terrorists. I now realize we Americans were deceived by our President and Vice President. There is no virtue in blind, stupid stubbornness (neither mine nor our President's), no wisdom in sticking to an untenable position. I am flip-flopping to support Kerry. STEWART PERRY Wayzata, Minn.

The photo you published of a woman yawning as Kerry addressed a rally in Iowa says it all about Kerry--boring. BRIAN BOLTZ Lancaster, Ohio

Preventing the Next 9/11