I voted for John McCain because I wanted an Irishman for a president. But even though he didn’t win, maybe President-elect Barack Obama (no, not O’bama) will make good his promise and still give every middle-class American that mythical “pot of gold,” presumably to be found at the end of his campaign rainbow.

But at what cost?

Ah yes, if he’s a man of his word, he’ll “spread the wealth around,” and not just the proverbial “chicken in every pot.” A pot o’ gold instead! Compliments of Joe the Plumber, of course. And compliments of our jobs, small businesses, etc.

Please let my concerns be nothing but empty misgivings. Please let him be more than just another ultra-liberal “empty suit” socialist with a very persuasive gift of gab.

May Obama’s “audacity of hope” be guided with better discernment than what he manifested as he sat in the pews while his pastor was screaming anti-American, racist diatribes. First, he defended his “spiritual father” and “mentor,” showing very poor judgment. Then he denied ever witnessing his pastor’s fist-pounding rants, meaning he must have been asleep for two decades while the whole congregation shouted “Amen!” and rocked with glee.

Neither poor judgment of that magnitude nor consistently sleeping at the wheel for that length of time are very comforting traits coming from the nation’s next commander-in-chief.

He is truly in my prayers. I wish him Godspeed.

David T. Theriault, Rumford