Regarding the April 16 editorial "Barack Obama: Democrats Deserve a Nominee for Change": I see the "good old boys' club" is still alive and well in the Burgh -- to think that putting another man in the White House is change! As far as I can see, it's just another four years of the same old thing: Men running this country.

If you want real change, put Hillary Clinton in the White House and let her show you how to: balance the budget, create jobs with living wages, pay for health care (the Children's Health Insurance Program is Hillary's program), improve education (like she did in Arkansas), promote peace, negotiate and live in harmony with cranky neighbors (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel) and unite this country.

After 200-plus years of ruling, it's time for the good old boys to take a back seat. Women deserve the same opportunities, especially when they can do a better job. I think Barack Obama should call it quits. Hope is an illusion!

GLORIA RICCI
Jeannette

---

I am disappointed that the editors chose to denigrate Sen. Hillary Clinton within the endorsement of Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming Pennsylvania primary election ("Barack Obama," April 16).

Sen. Clinton is referred to as a "throwback" because she shares her ideological and political values with her husband, the former president of the United States. This position suggests that the only women who can be elected to national office are those married to unknowns. Was it necessary to replay the prejudice that successful women who are associated with successful men owe their success to those men?

Sen. Clinton is successful in her own right and represents the aspirations of both women and men. She is intelligent, hard-working, articulate and goal-oriented and provides an excellent example to anyone who wishes to serve the public through elected office.

I am offended by the aspersions against Sen. Clinton.

SUE ROSELLE
Churchill

---

It is very understated to simply say "thank you" for endorsing Sen. Barack Obama, so I'll add "thank you" for clarifying and cutting through the cliches that have plagued these campaigns and particularly Sen. Obama: Yes, he has specific policy stands; yes, his words can "do" things; yes, he is bright, educated and successful and yet he is one of us -- both black and white.

Whether it is a man or a woman, we need a change, and as you noted, either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama would bring change, but the facts and circumstances point to Sen. Obama representing change in more ways than Sen. Clinton possibly can.

I'm particularly impressed with Sen. Obama's prompt and effective rebuttals that remain above the campaign attacks, which surely will accelerate into November: That demeanor serves well as a U.S. senator and candidate and would be welcome attributes in our next president.

AL SVITESIC
Springdale Borough

---

Your April 16 editorial explaining your endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama inspired me to offer your newspaper the praise and respect you deserve for demonstrating your responsibility to the Pittsburgh area and your courage to advise folks who sometimes follow the traditional boss system of the Democratic Party, largely gone from much of the rest of the country, but still surviving in my native city.

Many of the thousands of baby boomers like me who had to strike out for economic opportunity when the mills closed still miss home and stay in touch through the Internet. Word of your editorial circulated like wildfire Wednesday, and after it was forwarded to me by a 1967 Baldwin High classmate, I read 166 Web postings by expatriate Pittsburghers. More than 80 percent of these messages expressed a basic thought which is: "Woohoo, Post-Gazette! You make me so proud to be from Pittsburgh!"

We who left express fear that those of you who stayed and suffered the economic downslide are not able to see what Barack Obama can do for you. It's been a long time between Kennedy and Obama, and perhaps you lost hope. Interestingly, we did not. We dearly want you to vote in a way that shows that a shred of hope for your children and grandchildren is still alive in your souls.

CONSTANCE DAUVIN HOLT
Fayette, Miss.
The writer spends part of the year in Brighton Heights.

---

It is unfortunate that this potentially last debate between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton had to be run by such an unprepared and unworthy news organization. There is no point in trying to grade the candidates' performances because ABC News' Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos failed so miserably at giving Pennsylvanians and the rest of the country a meaningful debate on issues.

The first 45 minutes were a calculated assault on Sen. Obama, where he was forced to be on the defensive and use more of his allotted time. That left Sen. Clinton extra time to respond to the few questions that actually dealt with policy issues. Their clear bias in attacking Sen. Obama and their broader interest in their own self-promotion and commercial air time render this debate a nonevent in the information we need to make a decision about our next leader.

CLIFFORD SHARPLES
Squirrel Hill

---

In response to Gov. Ed Rendell's comments that Sen. Barack Obama's much-maligned comments about Pennsylvanians "shows a pretty significant lack of understanding of the people in Pennsylvania" ("Rendell Says Obama Doesn't Know People of Pa.," April 14), I beg to differ. I am bitter -- Sen. Obama hit the nail on the head.

I'm tired of the status quo in Harrisburg, the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, which Gov. Rendell, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Executive Dan Onorato -- all Clinton backers -- so expertly represent. A recent graduate of law school, I'm encumbered with significant student loan debt. So glad to see that PHEAA execs were enjoying some fun extracurriculars at the expense of Pennsylvania students and taxpayers! Thanks to Mayor Ravenstahl and company (cough, Pat Ford, cough), I'll likely have a lovely LED billboard to admire as I walk down Grant Street to my job -- if it stays in Allegheny County -- unlike the thousands of jobs that have moved to Butler County.

By the way, why is Gov. Rendell suddenly so fond of visiting our city now that he's trying to ensure his spot in Clinton's Cabinet?

Let's think for ourselves -- dare to break with the party brass on this presidential primary. What have Rendell, Ravenstahl and Onorato done for you lately? Vote Barack Obama.

CHRISTINE McBRIDE COSENTINO
Mt. Lebanon

---