Re “Aaaaugh-bama!” [Oct. 8]:

One requirement of being a good president is to be a leader rather than a follower. Hillary Clinton is such a leader.

Barack Obama and John Edwards recently caved in to internal party pressure, removing their names from the ballot in the Michigan Democratic primary. Democratic party insiders think that voters in Iowa and New Hampshire should have more influence over the Democratic presidential nomination than those of other states.

Who are these Democratic insiders? Why should their will take precedence over free and fair elections?

Mrs. Clinton sees the bigger picture, where party insiders don’t call the shots and give some states more influence than others.

That’s leadership. That’s why I think she’ll make a good president.

Marc Perkel
San Bruno, Calif.