I fear, based on a rising tide of his self-contradicting policy statements, that fears about both his inexperience, his ego and his motives may be too close to the mark. I take nothing from his detractors, but only from his own remarks.

At the risk of being seen as a heretic, I see parallels between this candidacy and that of the late Jack Kennedy. I lived through the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower years and have, perhaps, a different perspective than many who know this period only through the filter of history books and jaundiced professors.

While he had his successes, notably the Cuban Missle Crisis, the Peace Corps and the energizing of young people through his personal charisma, he also had the "Bay of Pigs," his serial philandering and a number of other personal political miscalculations, any of which could have spelled disaster for all of us. I truly believe that, had he lived, he would not have come to be regarded as the saintly popular figure the media has helped to construct. Tragically, assassination does that for public figures.

Likewise for his brother, Bobby, who was beloved by legions of young, idealistic fans, but who could behave (as his son currently does) like a self-important jerk. He was abrasive and often overreached as Attorney General. I do not believe he had either the maturity or the temperment to be President.

All I needed to know about Teddy, the youngest brother who desperately wanted to live out the truncated legacies of his older siblings, was Chappaquiddick. Mary Jo Kopechne still cries out for justice from her watery grave. The immaturity and bad judgement that led to her death, and the lame attempt at a cover-up, could not deter the voters of Massachusetts from electing "The Last Kennedy" despite his obvious shortcomings. They have continued to compound this felony for many years.

I want someone to lead the U.S. who has demonstrated integrity, fidelity and courage, and who has also demonstrated leadership ability. I see none of these qualities in Senator Obama, despite all the media apologists and campaign strategists who would have us believe he is the Messiah come to save the people.

---

Please remember to use one consistent name when you post. If you post under a variety of names, you risk having all your posts deleted.
-Joe Offer-