Letter: Clinton is well qualified to serve

This country has never had a president from the largest faction of its population: women. And yet - let's admit it, men - women are generally more service-oriented and concerned about the general welfare of all the people.

Fortunately, the first female nominee of a major party as president, Hillary Clinton, is also the most uniquely qualified and experienced first-term candidate. She spent eight years (1993-2000) in the White House as First Lady and therefore knows precisely the duties, the decisions and the leadership role of president. Furthermore, people should not forget that the Bill Clinton presidency ranks as the very best of any eight years of our lifetimes in terms of peace and prosperity.

Hillary served with distinction as U.S. Senator (D-NY) from 2001-06 and was re-elected in 2006 with an overwhelming 67 percent of the vote. Her third major role in government was as Secretary of State (2009-2012) stepping down with an approval rating as high as 69 percent.

Yet, no one in government service has been subjected to such ruthless and unsubstantiated attacks by the opposing party as Hillary. It started in 1992 with the $2 million Arkansas project financed by billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife and the witch-hunt scrutiny has gone on for the last 24 years. Republicans have their culprit - they are frantically searching for a crime. She has handled all this with aplomb.

So Hillary should be elected on her own merits not just as the alternative to Donald Trump. She is eminently qualified.

Harlan Graber

Mount Vernon