Regarding Debra Anderson’s Sunday column titled, “A different perspective on President Barack Obama’s re-election,” I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more shallow editorial published in this newspaper.

Most of us have a “Ms. M” in our lives, someone close to us with whom we rarely agree when it comes to politics.

As liberals often do, Anderson reduced her conservative friend to a small-minded bigot: “Ms. M never suggested that I was voting for my candidate just because he is black, but I felt it was in the back of her mind and often on the tip of her tongue.”

An election should not be treated or viewed as a popularity contest, but apparently, and unfortunately, in many circles elections have been reduced to just that. Ms. Anderson admitted that she doesn’t always agree with President Obama, but she likes him, and apparently that was reason enough for her. Is President Obama likeable? No doubt that’s a matter of opinion, but being likeable does not qualify one for the office of President of the United States.

I vote not on likability, but according to the issues and which candidate I feel is most qualified for the job. (And I believe my “Ms. M” does, too.)

I like my dog very much, but I wouldn’t vote for him… wait… there’s an idea.

Linda Polk

Vicksburg