Which candidate has real political courage?

Who puts America's security first?

Who has the best judgment?

John McCain has lost the conservative voters of his party. In order to shore up his unenthusiastic far right and keep them energized, he has chosen Sarah Palin. She, and the right-wing Christian conservatives, are the only people in America with the extreme view that no one, even in the case of rape, may get an abortion.

But McCain caved in to the base to get their support and their donations. This talk of his being a "maverick" is untrue.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, showed his independence and fortitude by ignoring the threats of the Hillary supporters who vowed to vote for McCain if he passed on Clinton. Her selection was supposed to guarantee his victory.

Instead, Obama chose a different vice presidential candidate, someone capable of leading the country if something should happen. That is the only criteriion for a vice president.

Did McCain do the same thing? No. He chose someone whose longest political experience was being mayor of a town the size of Mayberry, who has admitted she "doesn't even know what the vice president does on a day-to-day basis."

McCain had accused Obama of not "putting America first" and doing anything to win an election. Considering McCain's age and health record, his death or disability while in office and the elevation of Palin to the presidency would be disastrous. His political gamble to satisfy his naked ambition to win the presidency would endanger the future of the country.

It is Obama who has shown the most independence, the most courage, and unquestionably the best judgment in the most important choice a presidential candidate can make.

Rick Gagliardo

Pinehurst