To the editor:

In response to the Oct. 16 Saturday Column, “The best debater may not be the most qualified president,” I am surprised the author did not instead debate simply the merits of each presidential candidate’s ethics, which is what this year’s election is really about. When a man is stripped of all of the hype, spin, sound bites, political action committees, $1,000-a-plate dinners, limos, jets and Ivy League credentials, we see that he is left with nothing but his morals, ethics or beliefs.

Until a man’s word is judged by his deeds, we have only his words on which to base his intentions. The articulation of ideas through speech goes a long way in telling us what we can expect of the individual. The ability to arrange words in a logical fashion, use appropriate terminology and provide measured responses to questions speaks volumes about an individual’s ability to organize thoughts and make sense of the world we find ourselves in today. Chances are that such an individual also is thoughtful, caring and well-intentioned. Better yet, he probably would also be truthful.

That the world of politics tends to challenge a man to stand up for what is right against the pressures of power and greed, unfortunately, comes with the territory. However, razor-sharp analysis, astute judgment, tolerance and compassion are better marks of a man’s character than the defense of his ideals with razors, knives, bullets and bombs.

But there is no debate.

The candidate who is the most truthful, respectful and decent must prevail. The world deserves nothing less from the most powerful, productive and prosperous country on the planet.

John Wysocki,

Lawrence