Post-election buzz

Re “Split decision for Clinton, Obama; McCain takes major states handily,” Feb. 6

I’m almost 56 years old, and the political impressions that affected me most growing up were the intensity of the Cold War and the civil rights struggle. In the last 20 years, I’ve lived to see the collapse of the Soviet Union, which none of us could have imagined. I thought I would never experience anything so important again. But the Democratic presidential race between a woman and an American of color is even more important. I find myself smiling each day because, no matter who wins the nomination, I realize how much of an indication of growth and change this is for our country. It has restored my faith in America, which George W. Bush had almost destroyed.

Ken Marcus

Los Angeles

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There is a great deal of talk about dynasties in this election. The implication is that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton fell into this because her husband was president, an attitude that demeans her lifetime of personal accomplishments. As a student at Wellesley College and as a member of the Richard Nixon impeachment staff -- before she married Bill Clinton or he had ever run for office -- people were telling her that she could be the first female president. If she had stayed Hillary Rodham, this bogus argument would not exist.

She has worked hard her whole adult life, including as a U.S. senator, to make this a better country. She should not be penalized because her life’s path has included marriage and motherhood.

Linda Shahinian

Culver City

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California Democrats voted for politics as usual in the primary. Let’s just hope their unenlightened vote does not come back to haunt us.

Paul H. Taylor

San Francisco

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After witnessing the disastrous results of buying into the good-old-boy charms of President Bush, voters should think twice about the influence of charisma. I hope the Democratic contest will produce serious consideration of the substantive issues and that voters will beware of the sway of personality. I especially caution young voters to not get carried away by the “New Camelot” promise of Sen. Barack Obama. I am not discounting his potential as an inspiring leader. But there is the sense that his range of experience does not match the skills of Clinton, which will be much needed when a president takes charge in 2009.

The formidable challenges of this election demand that substance take precedence over the temptation to be charmed by charisma.

Don Brown

Beverly Hills

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Looks as if The Times’ starry-eyed push for Obama had exactly the effect on California’s voters I thought it would: none.

Mark Donnelly

Sherman Oaks