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• Sunday, September 14, 2008 04:24 AM

  Who Is The Most Qualified Person in America to Comment on Barack Obama?

  I've been hearing a lot of irritating comments from people about their "feelings" and "gut-reaction" to Barack Obama, particularly his "lack of experience". As the intverviews proceed, it quickly becomes clear that they have not taken the responsibility to inform themselves about any aspect of this man, his record of service (his years in the Illinois State Senate seem to be discounted or ignored) or any recollection of what he has actually written and stated during his public life and during this campaign. Ok, I've come up with a way to get you all off the hook.

  Robert Dallek is the greatest living Presidential historian. I had the privilege of studying under him as an undergraduate and graduate history major at UCLA in the early 1970s. He has written profound and masterful books on LBJ, JFK, FDR, Nixon and Kissinger and a range of works on 20th Century U.S. diplomatic history. He is brilliant and articulate and one of the wisest people I have known. What does he say?

  http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/01/31/2008-01-31_next_to_jfk_obamas_a_newbie__but_thats_b.html

  As an historian myself, I have taken the time to read hundreds of presidential and other political biographies, was well as works written by past Presidents. I have commented on the pages of Salon and other publications that too many American voters are irresponsible citizens who do not take elections seriously. Voting, like carrying a driver's license, is more a privilege than a 'right', This is not a time to vote according to "gut-feelings"- if voters cannot honestly say that they have done their due diligence in informing themselves, then they should not vote on any issue, local, state or federal.

  —JohnPotter Read JohnPotter's other letters
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