Within a short time of publisher Alex Taylor’s column on how the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel strives to be non partisan, on a daily basis the paper had proved otherwise. Perhaps the name should be changed to “The Daily Republican.”

I almost spewed my coffee when I opened to Sunday’s Commentary page to find your endorsement of John McCain for president.

Starting by replaying the POW story, you fail to mention that over 600 other POWS suffered as much or more for as long or longer than McCain. They too refused to denounce their country to obtain early release. His experience during this terrible time was no greater, and perhaps less than other POWS. It is not a qualifier for the office of president.

Aside from his time as a POW, McCain’s life has been one of privilege, starting with advancing not based on what he could do, but on who his father and grandfather were. In this he shares much in common with George W. Bush. Entering Annapolis on the strength of the family name, he partied hard and graduated 894 out of 899.

His political career has been erratic, changing his position to follow the way the winds blow, his only goal to advance his career. He flips flops more than a fish out of water. The points you raise in your endorsement are a good example. For most, at one time or another he was found on the other side of the issue. If this is what you mean by “….his ability to “reach across the aisle”, you are ignoring the facts.

As to a “…much more realistic view of the energy crisis…”, he gives us “drill here, drill now” — slogans and not solutions.

With a well-documented volcanic temper he is not stable enough to deal with a state of emergency. He would bring in the military before giving diplomacy a chance.

He made a very poor choice of a running mate. Lacking in experience, Sarah Palin has shown herself to be ignorant of the basic issues facing the USA. That she abused her powers as governor of Alaska has now been confirmed. With what must be McCain’s tacit approval, as he has yet to rein her in, she now blathers on with lies and deceptions about Barack Obama. She is dangerously close to inciting violence.

The vice president must step in should the president die or become incapacitated in office. With McCain’s heath history and age, the chance of Palin succeeding to the presidency is frightening.

My plea to undecided voters is: Look at the facts and records of all presidential and VP candidates. Having done this, I strongly supporting Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Obama offers a stable temperament, intelligence and hope. Though not long on the political scene, he has a background that has prepared him to understand and deal with the needs of the diverse population of the USA. Backed by Joe Biden’s experience, they are the team to lead the nation in the rebuilding effort to undo the damages of the last 8 years and move positively into the future.

CAROLE CHOWEN
Grand Junction

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