A War Hero and His Surprise VP Pick

'Hidden Depths' and 'McCain'sMrs. Right': While some readers of our cover package were grateful for a glimpse of the John McCain that, as one said, is "often hidden behind the political rhetoric," most were unhappy with his choice of running mate and insulted by suggestions that Sarah Palin has more experience than Barack Obama. "Obama was chosen by millions of Americans looking for a new leader. She was chosen by one man looking to get elected," one said. "For eight years we've suffered a maverick president and a pit-bull vice president. Never again!"

On 'Why I Am Leaving Guyland': "I shook my head as I read about this phenomenon of twentysomething single guys continuing to behave like immature adolescents. Guys, grow up and become men. Parents, stop enabling these guys. Young women, stop having sex with them!"
Keith Petersen, Modesto, Calif.

Debating the Republican Ticket
I suppose Jon Meacham's in-depth piece about John McCain was intended as a personal history rather than policy analysis, but I didn't expect such a favorable piece of praise ("Hidden Depths," Sept. 8). Nearly every conceivable fault or question of character and disposition of McCain's was answered with a glowing counterclaim. Where was the mention of the Navy jets he crashed before being captured as a POW? And what about his well-documented policy changes between his Straight Talk Express loss in 2000 and his win of the 2008 nomination?
Susan Burton
Rexford, N.Y.

Despite John McCain's years of honorable service to our country, his recent choice of running mate shows he clearly lacks judgment and is out of touch with the most basic aspects of the job of president. McCain thinks a woman with less than two years' experience as a governor and a bachelor's degree in journalism fits the bill for being commander in chief? This after he has spent months telling the nation that a Harvard-educated professor of constitutional law with nearly two decades in the service of his state and the Senate is not experienced enough for the job? McCain has to run on gimmicks because he is on the wrong side of the issues and of history.
Brandon Bittner
Royersford, Pa.

If I had a friend with five kids, including a newborn with Down syndrome and an unmarried, pregnant teen, plus a demanding job and legal problems, I wouldn't ask her to so much as bring cookies to a PTA meeting! What was John McCain thinking when he asked Sarah Palin to take on the responsibility of being one heartbeat away from the presidency? I am a feminist and all for breaking glass ceilings, but not at the expense of the family. A parent who stands for family values has to be responsible to this sacred duty first and to career and ambitions later. Your article ("McCain's Mrs. Right," Sept. 8) says Palin "seems to enjoy that role of strung-out supermom." I don't feel safe with that characteristic in someone serving as the vice president of my country.
Ximena Tagle
Houston, Texas

I couldn't believe that Sarah Palin ridiculed Barack Obama's years of work as a community organizer during her convention speech. The suffragists who earned Palin the right to vote were community organizers. So were the feminists who agitated to improve job opportunities for women and made it possible for Palin to play high-school basketball. Abolitionists who fought against slavery, workers on the underground railroad guiding slaves to freedom and civil-rights workers were community organizers. So are union organizers who help improve the lives of workers. Finally, we owe the very existence of our country to a dedicated group of community organizers, more commonly known as our Founding Fathers.
Jane Cameron
Piscataway, N.J.