What you see is what you can elect

Re “Democrat in ‘08! But not her,” June 17

There is no candidate, Democrat or Republican, who will have all the attributes one would like a candidate to have. If Democrats reject a candidate because of certain personality considerations, then we are truly doomed to another four years of electing a president on personality traits and appearance. Look at the mess that got us into.

MORTON MILLER

Los Angeles

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Your article suggests that the Democratic Party is unprepared to capitalize on the public’s distrust of the Republican Party, but it somehow buries the fact that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been a consistent leader in head-to-head matchups with Republicans. Democrats can win easily in 2008 if they lose their fixation on the past and choose Obama as their nominee.

JAMES M. HANSEN

West Los Angeles

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Any woman who is a success in business knows that women have to try twice as hard and be 10 times as good as any man who aspires to the same level of success. Where do you think the concept of the “glass ceiling” comes from? If a man possessed the same character traits as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), he would be regarded as self-assured, confident, and he would represent strength of character. Because she is a woman, Clinton has the same traits and is thought of as arrogant. It is the double standard, stupid! If you can’t stand to look at her or hear her, then don’t. Just read about her ideas and pretend she is a man.

BARBARA SCHIFFLER

Encinitas