Editor:

Okay, so Sen. Barack Obama finally chose his running mate, his former presidential Democratic opponent Sen. Joe Biden, and Sen. McCain's campaign wasted no time in attacking Sen. Obama for his choice of Biden over Sen. Hillary Clinton. What if Obama had chosen Clinton? What would McCain attack then? Four (4) years of a Clinton White House? Give us a break, John.

Wyoming has long been known as a Republican state; however, I hope as Wyomingites, we can focus on a candidate who can better lead our nation based on their stance on the issues rather than on who can smear their opponent the most.

Opinions do carry a significant amount of weight, and I admit that I do not entirely understand how Sen. McCain could not recall how many houses he owns, but ownership in multiple residences doesn't necessarily equate to an inability to lead. Obviously if you have the money, real estate has been a consistent safe investment (minus the last year or two).

Fortunately for Sen. McCain, he obviously does not have to worry about where his next meal is coming from let alone being homeless due to his residence being destroyed by Hurricane Katrina a few years ago (yes, there are people still homeless in New Orleans that call mobile units their temporary domicile, but that's a whole other topic that President Bush wishes we forget about).

Still, there are more important things to worry about, such as oil in Iraq -- I mean, the war in Iraq -- which oil company to invest in, rather, natural resource exploration in Alaska and at sea, and which special interest group will donate the most to the campaign, rather, lobbying for policy which benefits Americans as a whole.

My fellow Wyomingites, please be mindful of the smoke and mirrors. When you vote in November, don't vote based on an opinion generated from a smear campaign, but rather vote for the candidate that is for change. Our government is broken, but not beyond repair. Vote for change in November.

ERIN E. FORTIN, Worland