Backing for Barack Obama

Re “Obama raises stakes among Democrats,” Jan. 17

The more one listens to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the more one becomes aware of the exquisite irony that the young senator -- who may very well be the greatest threat to the presidential ambitions of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) -- seems to have parlayed his suave persona and his alleged penchant for building coalitions between parties from none other than the aforementioned New York senator’s husband, who is sometimes himself nostalgically referred to as America’s first black president.

MIGUEL A. GUANIPA

Whitinsville, Mass.

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Obama has suggested that his judgment trumps experience. What judgment? He has admitted using cocaine throughout his school years. The enormous pressures of the presidency call for experience, knowledge and yes -- the proven ability to have had good judgment under pressure. The stakes are too high this time around. We cannot afford to trust charisma without experience. But more important, we need a leader who has proved his character by facing life’s pressures with the good judgment to make the right choices.

JOHANNA DORDICK

Los Angeles

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America deeply longs for new direction. We’ve seen how men with experience in foreign policy matters have led our country into a cul-de-sac in Iraq and elsewhere. Frankly, I say give the kid a shot at the title. The country desperately needs to get back on its feet.

FRANK MOSLER

Simi Valley