"That is the kind of character that creates change and builds good leadership."

Seeking steady partner

Looking for a woman who can balance career and cleaning

Editor, The Times:

It is up to you women in Washington state to help elect a man who will unite this country. I voted for Barack Obama but, unfortunately, many women here in New York felt Hillary Clinton should be America's first woman president ["Women a tougher sell for Obama," Times, News, Feb. 11].

While I'd love to have a woman president and Clinton is certainly smart and capable enough, I am not sure she is the woman I want America to remember as the first.

While Obama is soaring to the future, optimistic and at ease, Clinton has a very calculated strategy to win. I resent her playing dirty and political. I want her to have a clean house — one that doesn't take PAC money and one that will not be part of party favors to get ahead. I want a woman about whom America will say, "She ran a clean house!"

The coming election is not so much about policy, where the differences between Obama and Hillary are minimal. It is about a new identity, the new face America presents to the world. It is about inspiring Americans to feel good again to lead this country out of its gloom and on to national renewal.

Obama has proved he can bring independents to his movement and maybe a few Republicans; thus, he can achieve changes greater than Clinton can.

We now need to prove to the world we can be thoughtful and compassionate once again and we can do it this time with a man, and his name is Obama. And maybe next time we will do it with a woman!

— Vivien Pollack, Melville, N.Y.

Finding Mrs. Goodbar

According to the demographics, I should be voting for Hillary Clinton: I'm a white, 60-year-old, highly educated woman from the Northeast. But I'm voting for Barack Obama.

I've waited all my life for a viable woman candidate for the presidency, but this is not the right woman. I want a woman of the highest ability and virtue, who would serve as a glorious role model to all young women. Hillary Clinton is not that woman.

She rode into power with her husband, and together they have a long and seriously flawed history of self-serving and secretive financial and political dealings. The most cursory research will prove that true.

She started out her political life supporting Barry Goldwater. She is as comfortable with deception and trickery as George Bush. When I hear women saying, "Oh, but that's how you get things done in Washington," I cringe.

I am passionately supporting Obama. He can beat the Republicans; she cannot.

Obama has attracted independents and even Republicans to his camp, and in a general election, they would vote for him, but not for Clinton.

Clinton voted for the war in Iraq, and has never apologized for it. Obama has spoken out against it from the beginning.

Obama brings us hope — and not just that. Take a serious look at his ideas and experience.

Please, I beg of you, sisters young and old: Wait for the right woman. Then we can be proud.

— Diane Wald, Dedham, Mass.

Someone to share everything

Could Barack Obama ruin the lifetime work of millions of Americans who have donated, walked and worked with the nation's first extremely well-qualified woman's bid for the White House? In the name of change, he rejects the billions of hours of millions of Democrats and others over the years, who methodically have worked for such a positive, final step and moment of truth for the nation, indeed the world, that women are in fact equal.

Undoubtedly, it will be decades before a woman will be elected. That would be a terrible injustice brought on by Sen. Obama.

A Hillary-Obama ticket would basically solve three major issues in this country. They have the not-too-frequent opportunity to choose to forever solve three long-standing, hard-worked-for, dragging-along issues in this country: 1) the glass ceiling and women's equal paychecks; 2) race; and, 3) gender.

An Obama-Hillary ticket would cover only race and gender.

But would these folks actually do the Jesus and MLK thing for justice, rather than continue to just talk about the MLK thing? Would Obama put his agenda (his possessions/quest) aside in selfless service to the country to solve three major injustices rather than only two?

That is the kind of character that creates change and builds good leadership. That kind of direct action for justice is what Americans desperately crave from their leaders and Congress.

Meanwhile, they will cling to anyone just using the word "change." Actual change begins in ourselves with action. Change and talking about change are two different things.

— Cindy Hadden, Centralia

One caring individual

Dear Hillary Clinton: Enough with the racism and the code-word campaign ["Democrats' bizarre class war flips assumptions about candidates," David Sirota syndicated column, Feb. 11].

Washington spoke to you. Now please do the right thing and get out of the way and let this nation heal.

— Jim Innes, Mercer Island

A man who can cook

Reading "Mammoth turnout gives Obama big win" [page one, Feb. 10], I was delighted to see Barack Obama's overwhelming support in our state.

I'm 56 years old, and since I was 10, I've been waiting for another visionary and idealistic leader who, quite simply, will inspire me. Such people can change this world for the better, and I can't help smiling when I realize my wait might be over.

When I think that the next decade could potentially be one of the most historic and exciting in our history, a turning point for our nation ... well, it kinda gets your pulse racing, doesn't it?

— Bill Eidsmoe, Bellevue

The bridle ideal

It's been a long horse race, with many furlongs to go ["Obama beats Clinton 2-1; McCain edges Huckabee," page one, Feb. 10]. Several horses have dropped out or fallen back.

Two remaining horses with blue jerseys are neck and neck. One appears to have extra baggage on her saddle. Upon closer inspection, she resembles a pack horse. It's very doubtful she'll be able to gain a lead in the final lap. She would be better suited for the mountain trails ahead. In fact, she would make a fantastic Senate majority leader with that slow methodical gait.

The other horse, though less experienced, runs lean and seems the best bet to finish in first place. He'll no doubt draw seasoned horses into his circle if he can win this one. An early winner attracts experience in advisers and trainers.

This sleek sprinter has something strong to build on. His best days are ahead of him. Yes he can.

— Thom McClure, Seattle