Recently, several letter writers who identify themselves as "registered Republicans" have expressed their support for Barack Obama.
Whether these writers are really Republicans can be questioned. In Minnesota, we don't register party affiliation.
Party affiliation is about ideas, not the candidate. Do you support limited government or big government? Do you believe in self-reliance or government-reliance? Do you look to free-market solutions to solve our ills, or do you want Washington to do this for us? Do you see the federal assistance as a safety net, or a way of life? Are you concerned for the unborn, or are the rights of the expectant mother more important?
The goal of a candidate is to convince the undecided, or those on the other side, that his or her philosophy of government is better. If Obama's message makes sense, and you now agree with how he will govern, then he has done his job. However, it would be dangerous to assume that because you like a candidate's rhetoric that he or she shares your values. You must look deeper. The candidate's past voting record is a good place to start.
Is John McCain my ideal candidate? No. However, he represents my views better than either Sens. Obama or Hillary Clinton. With our ongoing national security concerns, our economic future and potential Supreme Court vacancies all in the balance, too much is at risk to follow someone simply because he is a great orator.
JOHN LAMPRECHT, ROBBINSDALE
Consider the context
What's the point of the sermons of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's former pastor?
A sermon is like a play, with a beginning, middle and end. Taking a dramatic line out of a play, doesn't mean you understand the whole play. Same with a sermon. We need to know the whole story, and then decide.
