Although the Oct. 23 Letter of the Day was well-written, the author has her characterizations exactly backward. In "Pride and Prejudice," Wickham dishonestly said what he thought would get him what he wanted, changing his explanations as he was confronted with new information.
Similarly, Mitt Romney's positions continue to change radically, depending on his audience. By contrast, Darcy was seen as being aloof until it became clear that he was motivated by protecting and caring for others (notably, but not only, his sister Georgiana after her "near miss" with Wickham) and believed in saying what he thought. Obama's seriousness of purpose and his focus in debates and interviews has been mischaracterized by some as aloof and academic, while it is clear that one of his highest priorities is the well-being of all citizens, but especially those with the least, and that he tells us what we need, not necessarily what we want, to hear.
Ultimately, the proof is in the substance, consistency and veracity, not the style, of each man. That's where the fictional Darcy and the real Obama clearly rise to the top.
CYNDY CRIST, ST. PAUL
