Unlikely any of the 'sorry' presidential contenders could match Bush

Editor:

//

Has there ever been a sorrier list of possible presidential nominees than we are now presented with in both parties?

Barack Obama might have already reached his level of incompetence as an "achieve nothing" senator from Illinois. Hillary Clinton, in addition to her multi-faceted artificial personae (depends upon her audience), has too much baggage ever to unite the American people. The only substantive difference between these two candidates, aside from the biological, is that he can charm folks while she talks down to them.

John McCain is not the best the Republicans could (or should) have fielded in this contest. He's known for his irascible personality, especially in his dealing with those who oppose his opinions. Maybe his "pitbull persona" is of some value in a legislative body such as our Senate, but as president he'd be dealing with a lot of folks he's already alienated.

Mike Huckabee outranks all of the candidates of either party in the potential for ineffectiveness. Apparently jockeying for the vice-presidential nod from McCain, this totally self-absorbed individual fails to accept the fact that mainstream Americans don't want him to be their president. His preaching, his guitar skills and his Saturday Night Live skit appearance do not qualify him for national leadership. Please, Arkansas: take this man back.

I find it ironic and admirable that George W. Bush, who has been so mercilessly vilified by our media, continues to conduct himself as a leader and a true gentleman. I doubt that any of these four contenders would have the guts to survive the constant "slings and arrows" endured by our president.

Gene Rickaby

Martinez