'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.
Eight years ago, the GOP nominated a short-term governor of a large, oil-rich state to be president. They described him as a regular guy and said his lack of international experience wouldn't be a problem. Now it has nominated a short-term governor of a large, oil-rich state to be vice president and see no problem with her inexperience. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice ...
Hilton Weiss
Rhinebeck, N.Y.
I want John McCain to know that this "Hillary holdout" will not be swayed to vote Republican just because there's a woman on the ticket. He cannot convince someone who was voting for women's rights and universal health care that Sarah Palin is the next best thing. She may seem like the mom down the block, but voting for her would mean going against everything I believe in. I'd be telling people they cannot marry someone they love if they are gay, that children have to learn creationism in public schools and that if a woman gets pregnant from rape, she'll have to carry the rapist's child. No way.
Stephanie Drammissi
Philadelphia, Pa.
Whether John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin helps or hurts his candidacy, it certainly helps focus on the key questions we should each be asking as we approach the election. Let's keep in mind critical issues like health care, energy independence, the environment, stem-cell research and possible new appointments to the Supreme Court. These issues should really determine the election rather than the distracting peripheral questions about who is more patriotic or whether experience as a governor or a senator is better.
William C. Holmes
Granite Bay, Calif.
Medicare and Life After Retirement
Any senior citizen with age related health problems knows we must keep Medicare healthy and solvent for future generations ("Is Medicare Healthy?" Sept. 8). If drug companies would direct advertising to the medical profession instead of the public, perhaps they could cut their budget and pass the savings to consumers. Too many lawyers encouraging frivolous malpractice lawsuits also adds to the cost of health care and insurance. We need to pay more attention to prevention and use common sense to prepare during our working years to face the problems of life after retirement.
Bob Thomson
Lincoln, Neb.