A Candidate Perceived as Being Elitist

'Obama's Bubba Gap': Readers had mixed reactions to whether Barack Obama is out of touch with the average voter. Alluding to the cover photo, one asked, "What's wrong with liking both arugula and beer? I do." Another said, "To suggest that Obama is unelectable is the 'shot in the arm' McCain's campaign needs." As for perceived elitism, one wrote, "We've had a president many Americans felt they could have a beer with, and that didn't turn out so well, did it? I don't want a president who is 'just like me' making many difficult and complex decisions."

On 'Now It's the $6 Loaf of Bread': "Unfavorable weather, the rising price of energy and commodity speculation no doubt play a role in food shortages. But how can you avoid the gorilla in the room by sidestepping relentless population growth?"
Brad Piatt, Moraga, Calif.

The President as the Guy Next Door
"Obama's Bubba Gap" (May 5) asks whether Barack Obama is elitist. To be sure, I know the definition of elite, but I still chose to consult the dictionary. "Elite" refers to "a small group of people ... who have more power, social standing, wealth or talent than the rest of the group." By that definition, Hillary Clinton and John McCain are also elitist. And, I, for one, am thrilled! I want a president who is smarter, more talented and more powerful than the man next door. As an average American with a household income less than average, please give me an elitist president.
Becky Balestri Killion
Omaha, Neb.

"Only in America," indeed. How amusing to people around the world that the personal habits of our presidential candidates receive such attention. Twice in the past eight years we elected someone we'd want to have a beer with. Guess how that one worked out for us. I want a president who is smarter and more capable than I am. If that means he eats better than I do and prefers basketball to bowling, well, I'm prepared to live with that.
Mark Idelberg
Denver, Colo.

NEWSWEEK reports a McCain aide as saying that watching Clinton hit Obama is "manna from heaven." Should the Democrats lose in November, it won't be because of Hillary's stubbornness or her negative campaigning, but because of the Democratic leadership's inability to persuade her to withdraw. Hillary should exhibit statesmanship, gracefully pull out and lay a clear way for her party to win.
Gerhard C. Hamm
Honolulu, Hawaii

America must ask itself which goes down harder—arugula or a toast to a child's memory. We can sip our beers with John McCain, who does have a son serving with the Marines in Iraq, and throw back our whiskies with Hillary Clinton, but inside the voting booth we will have to consider who did and who did not send our children to die in a land where the children of the elite rarely serve.
Steve Kronen
Miami, Fla.