I concur with and commend the Post-Gazette for its endorsement of Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for president ("Barack Obama: Democrats Deserve a Nominee for Change," April 16).

At the end of March, Barack Obama had a $30 million surplus in his campaign coffers; he has run his campaign in a cohesive, efficient and exemplary fashion. This is evidence of how an Obama White House would function and operate. Mr. Obama has made all Americans feel that they have a bona fide stake in the future development of this fledgling experiment in democratic governance. The Clinton campaign had $9 million in debt at month's end.

Hillary Clinton claims to be a fighter, but she didn't fight hard enough for her own campaign staffers to have adequate health insurance.

Ask the women at Wal-Mart whether Mrs. Clinton is a fighter. She was on the board of directors at Wal-Mart when Wal-Mart was doing everything in its power to resist unionization. She did absolutely nothing to advocate for the workers who were desirous of unionizing.

The way Hillary Clinton has run her campaign is a reflection of how she would run her White House -- in a climate of acrimony as well as dysfunctional and reckless, in disarray, with employees backstabbing, bickering and sniping. She'd have surrogates such as Bill Clinton, Mark Penn, Bob Johnson and Geraldine Ferraro free-lancing and disseminating inaccurate, false, malicious information -- allegedly without Mrs. Clinton's knowledge and consent.

RONALD B. SAUNDERS
Penn Hills

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It should come as no surprise to readers of the Post-Gazette that you endorsed Barack Obama in Wednesday's paper. All one had to do was look at the photograph of Hillary Clinton on the front page of Tuesday's paper to know. Photographer Steve Mellon would have taken dozens, if not hundreds, of photographs of Sen. Clinton during her meeting with your editorial board, yet the Post-Gazette chose to print one that was less than flattering to her. As soon as I saw it, I knew where you stood on the race.

I have yet to decide who to vote for in the primary, but the not-so-subtle editorializing done on your front page should be embarrassing to "One of America's Great Newspapers."

RON JULIETTE
Dayton, Armstrong County

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When an entire profession is besmirched by a highly regarded presidential candidate, it's not a good day for the practitioners. Yet when the profession being hammered is public relations, the ire possibly is minuscule, especially if the negative remarks reinforce a widely held stereotype.

In the April 16 Democratic candidates' debate ("Final Duel for Democrats," April 17), Sen. Barack Obama stated in his closing remarks that the American people "didn't want spin and PR." But these two words don't belong in the same sentence, as I explain to my communications students in our first class each term. The foundation of public relations is not spin but truth.

I urge Sen. Obama, who might not understand the difference between bitterness and perseverance when it comes to small-town Pennsylvanians, to please at least get right the distinction between public relations practitioners and spin doctors.

ARTHUR J. MARINO JR.
Churchill

The writer is accredited in public relations.

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I live in Hastings, a very small town in Cambria County ... not even a traffic light.

I was not offended by what Barack Obama said because his words rang true (" 'Bitter' Flap Regrettable, Obama Says," April 16). I am frustrated and even bitter about many things concerning our economy, health care and Iraq. What middle-class person isn't a little bitter every time he or she fills up at the pump? Maybe you are happy to dish out $50 at the pump.

In much the same way, I am angry that I am paying more for inferior health care. My two children, ages 6 and 4, aren't even fully covered. They used to be covered, but rising costs have squeezed them out.

Also, I am certainly frustrated with where things stand in Iraq -- besides the monetary price tag of this war, what's the going rate for 4,000 lives?

Barack Obama was dead on with his comments. Wake up, Washington.

GREGG MAZENKO
Hastings

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In my active political life, I've managed to elect qualified men and women to public office and to the judiciary. Although in numerous instances my intent was to open doors for African Americans, I considered primarily the candidate's qualifications and fitness.

Today, I have the wonderful choice of selection. I viscerally believe that Hillary Clinton is the better Democratic candidate because of her ability to define approachable goals. She has authoritatively delineated her positions, to my satisfaction, on the political, economic and social issues that are of prime importance to our nation. She espouses our best hopes.

HELEN SPANO
Highland Park

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Barack Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime leader: consistent, straightforward, clear, understanding, compassionate, principled and ethical.

These are the characteristics we need for our next president, who must have a global vision to help restore our country to greatness.

SALLY NEWMAN
Squirrel Hill

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The concept of "street money" ("Obama Won't Pay 'Street Money' to Get Out the Vote in Philadelphia," April 12) makes me ashamed of our state. Legal or illegal, the idea of Democratic Party officials passing out hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to "get out the vote" is just plain wrong.

Haven't we advanced past the stage of party bosses making decisions for our country's future based on how much cash they receive? Are there not enough volunteers for whom working on behalf of a candidate who best shares their views is compensation enough? The practice of paying out "street money" sounds and smells too much like bribery, extortion and a little tax evasion, too.

The fact that the payment of "street money" to Democratic operatives is a "long-standing Philadelphia ritual" doesn't make it anything less than legalized bribery. The article went on to say that "street money" is an enduring political practice in cities like Chicago and Newark, N.J. Are these the types of open and fair political systems that we aspire to?

If this is not extortion, then why would Democratic ward leader and superdelegate Carol Ann Campbell say, "If [Obama volunteers] don't put up some money for those street workers, those leaders will most likely take Clinton money"?

This practice is anti-democratic and shameful, and should be illegal.

BRUCE KERMAN
Upper St. Clair

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We receive more letters than we can fit into the limited space on the editorial page, so we'd like to share some additional letters with our Post-Gazette Web site readers.

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In response to the article about Sen. Barack Obama's "Bittergate" ("Obama Retorts Over Criticism Concerning Blue-Collar Remarks," April 12): I am very disappointed in how Sen. Obama's opponents have reacted. I grew up in Whitaker and watched my parents struggle to provide the most simple things for my sister and me, and they continue to struggle today.

I joined the Army when I turned 18 to get away from what seemed like a very bad economic situation to come of age in. For the past nine years of my military career, I have returned to Pittsburgh about 15 times. Each time I almost can't wait to leave because it's depressing watching virtually everyone I grew up with and care for deeply continue on a close path to what my parents went through. I have two friends from Whitaker who are currently serving in Iraq with me who feel the same way.

Yes, Sen. Clinton is correct when she says Pennsylvanians work hard, but hard work can bring only so much when your government lets you down time after time. Both Sens. Clinton and McCain have been involved in the highest level of politics for at least the past quarter of a century, and what's really sad is they are so out of touch with our situation that they don't even realize it.

MATTHEW S. FINNIE
Whitaker

The writer is currently serving in Iraq.

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The water is becoming a little less murky as the real persona of Barack Obama creeps out into the public domain. Evidently he paid rapt attention to the rantings of his spiritual leader, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, while he claims he hardly heard any of the derogatory statements that went on for the 20 years he attended that church. Every so often they creep into his stump performance of "Look at me! I'm the new darling of the political world." It happened again ? naturally, at one of his no-reporters-allowed fund-raisers, where just the well-heeled and those of the same persuasion as he could hear him take some Rev. Wright shots ? and he used a scattergun also.

Elitist Obama beat up on the "hicks" of small towns in America, which is what this country is composed of. They cling to their religion and guns (hello, God and National Rifle Association); they're anti-trade and hate people not like them, thus anti-immigration. The message he sent to all of us small-towners is very simple ? "Hicks, get a life."

RAY FIGOLA
Liberty

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Brian O'Neill's March 20 column ("A Speech Worthy of Undivided Attention") surrounding the controversy of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who was Barack Obama's pastor, was very thought-provoking. I, too have been awed by Barack Obama's now-famous speech and continue to find him to be inspiring, passionate and true to himself.

Clearly, his pastor's remarks were occasionally shocking, as Mr. Obama admits and refutes. I cringed hearing his words repeated again and again on TV. However, the story is much more complex than the sound bites heard by many. All of us -- black, white, pink, gray -- must admit that racism is not a one-way street. We need to look inside our hearts and start dealing with the ongoing racial tension felt by many. Only then can true equality begin.

I, for one, would be proud to have Barack Obama as my president.

CANDACE SULLIVAN
Mt. Lebanon

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As one who grew up in Pittsburgh, but has lived in Chicago for 30 years, I have some perspective on Barack Obama. He gives a good first impression, but, upon closer inspection, is an empty suit.

His thin resume is heavy on his experience in the Illinois Legislature, not a body known for its high standards or commitment to hard work. A New York Times article indicated that since entering the Senate, Mr. Obama has devoted less time to serving his constituents than to furthering his own political agenda.

For those who counter that his lack of experience will be outweighed by his judgment and good advisers, I offer two words: Tony Rezko. Of all the developers in Chicago, why did Mr. Obama choose the one headed for indictment for housing advice?

Mr. Obama writes and gives a good speech, but only in the furtherance of his own political agenda. He only gave his vaunted "race" speech, when he wanted to change the subject from his minister. "Change" is just an abstraction for him.

Despite claiming to be against the war, when given a chance to actually vote, he did not vote to limit troops or funds to Iraq. I don't love everything about Hillary Clinton, but she offers concrete solutions to our pressing fiscal foreign policy problems. I'll take solutions, any day, to empty words.

MARSHA ANDERSON
Evanston, Ill.

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"Have you no sense of decency, senator? At long last have you no sense of decency left?" These famous words of Joseph Welch directed at Sen. Joe McCarthy during the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings came back to me as I watched the Clinton-Obama "debate" the other night.

Most Obama supporters are probably too young to remember McCarthy (or his Pittsburgh equivalent Michael Musmanno), but most Clinton supporters are -- like me -- old enough to remember McCarthyism, that terrible time in our history.

As Hillary Clinton updated red-baiting to 2008 by attempting to prove Sen. Obama guilty-by-association with former Weatherman Bill Ayers, I thought McCarthy must be smiling down in hell.

Surely there couldn't be a lower remark than the "as far as I know" she made on "60 Minutes" in implying that Sen. Obama is a Muslim. But Sen. Clinton found a lower low Wednesday night. At last, senator, have you no decency left?

JOE ADLER
Squirrel Hill

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Eight years ago, we heard the phrase, "I'm a uniter, not a divider." Now we're hearing similar rhetoric, that by putting aside our differences we can change Washington and, ultimately, the world.

The candidate of eight years ago who attested he was not a divider was designated "president" by the Supreme Court, despite having lost the election. George W. Bush went on to polarize and alienate the country and the world with his greed, lies, fumbling and lack of stewardship.

Giving Barack Obama the benefit of the doubt and ignoring his naivete, I can accept that he really believes that the Republicans will fall into line and Karl Rove will not rise up to smite him, and that he will achieve all his lofty promised solutions to our problems.

Sorry, I didn't buy it the first time around, and I can't believe it now. We cannot afford to wait for another president to stop spouting generalities, face reality and get specific. Mr. Obama will be hard-pressed to unify the Democratic Party, much less Congress or the world.

GEORGIANN MANSELL
Ambridge

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For the past 20 years there have been only two families who have run this country. It isn't a surprise that you hear the word "honesty" a lot when referring to Barack Obama. He speaks to the average American intelligently but is accused of being elite.

Hillary Clinton was shown having a shot of whiskey at a local bar like your average Jane, yet she and her husband made $109 million until 2006. Sheesh.

The April 16 debate clinched it for me. She tried to sling every piece of mud at Mr. Obama like a bully and just proved to me her character. Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos didn't cut him any slack and he held his ground.

Yes, he can take on John McCain and the Republican machine. He spoke of his policies and so did she. I think his Iraq policy is smarter. They're both smart candidates, but she is polarizing. That is why, in my view, the Bushes were easily able to defeat any other Democrat. It's time for a change.

CHRISTINE HUTSON
West Mifflin

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I write this letter to move you to support a woman for our time, Hillary Clinton. The time is now to support a woman with good common sense and good political sense. It is time to support Hillary Clinton to solve the problems and issues facing our country and world.

I am ready to support Hillary Clinton as she has solutions to the problem of universal health care. I am ready to support this woman who can bring our country back from the brink of economic catastrophe and share economic recovery with the global community. I am ready to support Hillary Clinton, a woman who is a recognized and respected world leader.

DIANNE CICCARELLI
Greensburg

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Instead of speaking to us honestly about how they intend to solve the problems we are facing, Barack Obama's opponents are busy playing the same old Washington games that accomplish nothing.

Sen. Obama is the only presidential candidate who has had the courage and heart to talk truthfully with the American people. I am so tired of the insider political spin machines always spreading propaganda to promote their own political futures instead of talking honestly and focusing on how to really help the struggling middle-class workers in this country. Thank you, Sen. Obama, for your courage and honesty!

ANNE TROYA
West Leechburg

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Why do some people think Hillary Clinton should quit? Are you afraid of Hillary's smartness and intelligence? Hillary has a strong head on her shoulders. Hillary has 35 years of experience. She has strength to fight for real issues and policies. She delivers.

Hillary can get up and tackle any kind of situation. She is doing her job at home as a wife and mother. She has raised a daughter who is smart, intelligent. She is doing a remarkable job as a senator, and she can bring the United States back to the leadership position in the world, where it belongs.

Hillary has plans to solve our economic problems, create jobs, provide universal health care, provide equal opportunity crossing gender and race, and provide proper education to all young people. She has the experience to deliver, not just "a nice speech." She has the solutions.

Hillary is my voice and will represent my work, my thoughts.

CHHABI DE CHOUDHURY
Greensburg

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I'm finding myself becoming increasingly dismayed by the cynical tactics being employed by the Clinton campaign as we get closer to the Pennsylvania primary election, tactics that unfortunately appear to be borne out of some sense of desperation.

The latest example is the manufactured controversy over Sen. Obama's recently reported remarks regarding the frustration he is seeing among small-town residents in both Pennsylvania and across the nation. He spoke of the loss of jobs, something witnessed all too often in the mill towns of this region as the collapse of the steel industry also crushed with it the hopes and aspirations of far too many.

The point the senator was making was that when people find so many things in their lives no longer subject to their control, they may get angry but they may embrace all the closer the few things that they can control. One reference used by the senator was religion, which in times of strife people have often turned to as a source of comfort.

Sen. Obama, in his remarks, was demonstrating not elitism but rather empathy.

ALLAN SEAMAN
Sewickley

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I disagree with the media's latest fabrication about Barack Obama: that he is "elitist" and "condescending." It may make provocative stories to say that Sen. Obama is an angry unpatriotic black, because of his pastor, and that he's putting down small-town Pennsylvania, and that he's an out-of-touch elitist; sadly these yarns can drive up ratings.

But if you listen to Mr. Obama's speech on race (try youtube.com) or you read the full transcript of his comments regarding bitter Pennsylvanians (try huffingtonpost.com), you realize that these flaps are bogus.

I admire Mr. Obama for his honesty, for his intelligence and for his willingness to talk up to the public and challenge us to face the complexities of issues like racism, poverty and economic stagnation rather than reduce them to emotional, irrational reactions.

So it is sad to see television, radio and newspapers piling on with nonsense about Mr. Obama's supposed elitism and condescension, when, in fact, he is the least patronizing of the three candidates. The real condescension here is the media's attempt to tell us what to think about these candidates in a few dumbed-down words, rather than listen to their thoughts and judge for ourselves.

PAUL HECKBERT
Edgewood

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I'm adding my name to those who support Barack Obama. He represents a new type of leadership that is long overdue in this country.

Over two decades, my husband lost several jobs because of imported steel, a situation created by unfair trade agreements created in Washington. As a lifelong resident of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, I've watched a generation of men and women lose their ability to earn a living wage because of the loss of manufacturing jobs due to Washington politics.

It's time that we had a president who will fight for the working class of this country and not the special interests. Sen. Obama was right when he spoke of the frustration in this state. I know my husband and I have lived it and I'm sure we're not alone.

SHARYN ZIMMER
McDonald

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