Zooming In on Candidate Sarah Palin

'The Palin Problem': Some readers called our cover photo "unflattering" and "uncalled for." "Who wants their photo blown up so close that every pore, wrinkle and unplucked hair shows? Shame on you," one said. But many were grateful to see Palin under the microscope and even saw themselves in the "folksy" candidate. "She's striking a chord with voters because she is everyday folk. We want leaders who understand average Americans," one said. Others disagreed: "I find the winks, you-betchas and bulldog anti-Obama tactics forced and inauthentic."

On 'What Matters Most in My Work and My Life': "Half the women you profiled made their mark in fashion or entertainment—hardly the defining battlegrounds of our time. Why were women leaders in government, finance, science or religion absent from your selection?"
Clara Vu, Cambridge, Mass.

Sarah Palin ' s Close-Up
I was pleased by your evenhanded assessment of Sarah Palin's candidacy for the vice presidency ("The Palin Problem," Oct. 13). In setting forth the premise that her candidacy might be little more than a cynical attempt to exploit a populist theme, you quoted a McCain advisor saying she's on the ticket "because she connects with everyday Americans." While Palin is inexperienced as a candidate on the national stage, she has extraordinary political charisma, is an effective campaigner and "connects" with people. These attributes remind me of another politician who was endlessly derided by the media: Ronald Reagan.
William N. White
Perry, N.Y.

I must follow up Jon Meacham's insightful article on the readiness of Sarah Palin with a plea to her supporters. It's understandable that many of you like her because she's "one of us" and shares the hockey-mom mentality. But selecting her as our next leader in waiting on such grounds is not rational. Where is her gravitas? She consistently displays a provincial view of world affairs and a lack of deep awareness or analysis of complex issues. Among numerous problems awaiting the next president, our economy is in dire straits and has triggered a domino effect around the world. Any solutions will surely require a global perspective. During this unprecedented world crisis, please don't put Palin in breathtaking proximity to the most powerful position on the planet.
Sally Hritz
Columbus, Ohio

Say it ain't so, NEWSWEEK. with a colossal global financial recession looming, the government's recent $700 billion bailout and hurricanes wiping out parts of our country, why have you featured Sarah Palin cover stories three of the last six issues? I have seen my meager retirement savings decrease by 30 percent in the last few weeks, and like most Americans, I'm gravely concerned about the economy.
Carol Myint
Northfield, Minn.

The End of Capitalism?
Francis Fukuyama's article was a harsh reminder that capitalism is a double-edged sword ("The Fall of America, Inc.," Oct. 13). Despite what free-market capitalists assert, the current economic debacle demonstrates that capitalism does not work for the common good unless it is regulated. Regulation levels the playing field between the relentless pursuit of profit and the need to temper it with some humanity to provide vital services to all citizens. Our economic system is not based solely on capitalism, but is a blend of capitalism and socialism. Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance and public education are examples of government-run social programs. We need to restore the balance between unregulated capitalism and reasonable regulation that keeps business from its excesses if we are to have a just society that works for all.
Robert J. Prahl
Brunswick, Maine