Chicago, Illinois USA Tuesday PM, July 22, 2008

Editors, UK Financial Times

Gentlepeople:

In his Tuesday, July 22 column 'Obama for commander-in-chief' Gideon Rachman asks "why is Barack Obama just four points ahead in the polls?" Obama is the least prepared and most inexperienced candidate for US president or Vice President in history. His most significant work experience is eight years in the Illinois State Senate, a job requiring less management talent that a Chicago Bears 3rd string jock strap attendant, without the responsibility.

Obama's second biggest career move was "neighborhood activist, " a Chicago euphemism for junior precinct captain, itself a euphemism for an errand creature who gets a list of voters every two years, and is told: "If any of these people don't vote, you're outahere, pal!!!"

Obama has a hardly used Harvard Law Degree, McCain used his service academy commission for 20 years, flying in combat, and oh yeah, 4 years as POW. And you want the Harvard grad to be CinC? Obama taught Law at the University of Chicago, as Clinton at the University of Arkansas. Clinton went on to get elected state Attorney General, elected and reelected Governor of his state. OBama? See Chicago Bears attendant, above.

For all of John McCain's problems with teleprompters, Obama cannot speak without one. Listen to one of his off the cuff public speeches, he says more 'uhs', 'ums' and 'ya knos' than a class of third graders. Ronald Reagan learned to speak as an actor, but practiced management by being elected and re-elected Governor of the nation's largest state (60% of population, and 90% of GDP, of the UK.)

It's unfortunate that so many prominent, accomplished American blacks are so impressed with Obama - the absolutely brilliant and super educated Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, recently said "it's a remarkable accomplishment" that a black politician is on track for his party's presidential nomination.

Obama's election as President will be no less embarrassing than the election of any run-of-the-mill far left fringe Democrat politician. The question is not why Obama is 'only' four points ahead of McCain - why was he even nominated? Answer: If he'd been 100% white, he'd have trouble getting that Chicago Bears comparable position, AKA Illinois State Senator.

Arnold H. Nelson 5056 North Marine Drive Chicago, IL USA