Choose confident leader on Nov. 2

To the editor:

In Friday's debate, I watched an angry and shrill President Bush. I worry about what message Bush's demeanor is sending to foreign leaders and the terrorists who would do us harm. The President's hyper-aggressiveness, his shouting and his frantic pacing certainly scared me. Is this the image of a president that can lead the world, let alone our country?

The president was asked to name three mistakes he had made during his four years. The only ones he could find were in some of his appointments. On each of the big issues, he's gotten everything exactly right, he asserted. This worries me. The Duelfer report said that the president's reasons for going to war in Iraq were all nonexistent. Even the members of his own party say that Iraq is a mess and getting worse. Yet, the president refuses to face reality. My question to President Bush is, "How can you change course when you're in trouble if you won't admit you're in trouble?"

The great thing about having a debate is that you get to see the alternative. Sen. John Kerry was composed and presidential. He had a strong command of the issues. He addressed real solutions to real problems. He projected a strength of purpose and a resolve that I found missing in President Bush.

On Nov. 2, 2004, we have a choice. And Sen. John Kerry is the right choice for strong, confident leadership that will keep America safe.

RICHARD ALMEDIA, Cape Girardeau