Will you choose Sen. Barack Obama for president? Let's look at his credentials.

He has worked diligently for community groups, but he was not subject to scrutiny by the voters. He was elected to the Illinois legislature as a graduate from Chicago politics, one of the most corrupt Democratic machines in the United States. He has not been in the U.S. Senate long enough to find the rest room, but he tells us he knows what is wrong with Washington and promises "change." With insight like that, perhaps he will pick my numbers in the next Powerball drawing.

His opponent is Sen. John McCain, a Republican maverick, who in 2000, was rejected by his own party for not being Republican enough.

McCain has more than 20 years' service in the Senate. He has spent his life keeping America safe. He is supported by the grassroots Republicans, and they are convinced that from his long experience in Washington he knows what changes are needed in Washington to have a more responsive federal government. He has spent years trying to get support from both Democrats and Republicans to effect those changes.

I will vote for John McCain.

ELLIOT FINN

Meredith