New direction

To the editor:

As the first presidential debate began, I had no clear idea of which candidate I would vote for in November. Although I agree with many of John Kerry’s policies, I have had doubts that he would be a strong enough leader for these troubled times.

Kerry laid my fears to rest with his stunning performance in last Thursday’s debate. Kerry proposed a strong plan to bring peace to Iraq and made it clear that he would refocus our efforts to bring swift justice to terrorists around the world.

As impressed as I was with Kerry, I was equally disappointed with President Bush. Rather than define his plan for a second term, he continued to paint a rosy picture of Iraq, a picture that is not based in reality. And Bush showed almost no knowledge of what his own policy is in North Korea and Iran.

This debate was enough to bring me off the fence. I believe that this nation is ready for a new direction.

Andrew Goodrick,

Lawrence