When our 44th president is sworn in this coming January, the United States will have had 43 male presidents over the last 219 years. This year we have two democrats running in our primary election, one man and one woman, and one republican man. Hillary Clinton is an intelligent, tough, strong and resilient woman. She knows the political process, she knows how to work with republicans across the aisle, she knows what needs to be done, and she has proven that she can stay strong under pressure. We have a unique situation where our 44th President of the United States can be a woman, and Hillary Clinton is more than qualified for the job.

M. A. Fox, Washington, PA

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Hopes and dreams are all fine and well until it is time to get to the hard work and one has no path towards realising those hopes and dreams. I support Hillary Clinton because she too wants a better America, but unlike her rival, is willing to tell people the truth and has actual plans about working towards that goal. Pragmatism is not glamorous and doesn't make for great sound bites, but ultimately it is what will get the job done. Hillary Clinton has been marched to Hell and back yet always comes up fighting - it is that kind of persistence and realistic vision which makes her to perfect person to lead our nation.

Seth Warren, Mt. Lebanon

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Barack Obama frightens me to death on what litttle we know of him, We know where his roots are, we know he is a smooth talker, we know he sat with his children listening to the teachigs of Rev Wright for 20 years first saying he never heard anything then saying he did, another liar. What we don't know about him the Republican do and you can bet it and more tapes will come out too late to save the Democratic Party.The media is giving this guy a free pass and they will pay for it with their jobs hopefully, Where is unabiased reporting?

Dick Fraer, Naples, Fl

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Obama's actions best match our needs. His candidacy demonstrates how everyday people can connect to make something happen. As a child growing up in Pittsburgh, I listened to complaints about lack of government attention for Western PA. Our gorgeous three rivers smelled like a metal recycling facility. Answers for roads, private property taxes, and steel mill closings were slow in coming. Obama emphasizes working from the bottom-up and has demonstrated his transparent approach. He suggests that while government can't solve all problems, if we work together we can solve some. As President, Obama's approach will build on citizen interests.

Elaine Andrews, Madison, WI

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At 89 and a feminist, I am eager to vote for Hillary Clinton. I believe she will protect the wonderful Medicare and Social Security benefits I enjoy; I don't want to be the last generation to have them. Her long political associations enable her to understand and find solutions that work for major issues like the economy, the Iraq war, and universal health care. She has already shown a high level of compassion, as her current proposals about foreclosure and jobless victims show, as well as her long-term battles for children. And she will persist in efforts!

Mary Anne Ferguson, Pittsburgh

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I realize that experience is a great, but not exactly most important. Neither of them have presidential experience, and being first lady does not count for me. However, looking at the way both campaigns have been run, Obama has demonstrated great Executive leadership in this area. He has built an outstanding fundraising machine using modern day technology (our future). He also demonstrates great composure, even under pressure; stability, compassion, and the ability to accept people for who they are, and love them in spite of. Hillary lies too much and seems to have mental problems, maybe bi-polar.

A. Frederick, South Florida

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No, I'm not supporting him because he can give a good speech. I'm supporting Obama because he does something that far too many people have forgotten how to do: Think: Critically Think. And for the people who keep telling us that Obama isn't ready, he's inexperienced, just remember In 1992 you didn't vote for the guy that had the most experience You voted for the guy who was young, very charismatic, and a great speaker. A guy with limited political experience and absolutely no foreign policy experience whatsoever. Remember him, his name was Bill Clinton.

Matthew Dillon, Arlington, Va

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According to the polls, as a middle-something woman, I should be supporting Clinton. I'm not. I'm waiting to support a woman who runs based on her own merits, who has her own agenda, and who will govern without a partner who still wants to be the one answering the phone at 3AM. Is having a female president so important that we'll settle for an internecine dyadic presidency? Good grief, women! Fortunately, the alternative renders such issues immaterial. Obama has stimulated a resurgence in political involvement unlike anything we've witnessed in generations. Eradicating apathy? This I can, and must, support wholeheartedly.

Sue Ann Erdman, Jensen Beach, FL