Sir, - Since the outrages of September 11th, I have been impressed by the sincere, prudent and forthright actions taken by the American president and his administration. He has been placed in a pressure situation under intense internal and international scrutiny. He has in most regards conducted himself with dignity and authority.
However, a question remains over his ability to succinctly and fluently articulate the grief and anger of his nation, to coherently explain the required courses of action, and to command the respect of friend and foe alike by demonstrating broad personal knowledge of international affairs. He is surrounded by an experienced and decisive team of advisers and has delegated important functions cleverly. However, for me, the spectre of his predecessor raises its head at a time like this.
Clinton as a human being was of course morally questionable, but when performing purely political duties he never catalysed in me a reaction which increasingly feels like embarrassment, as George Bush does when he appears on television. There is no requirement for him to be a master of the charming polysyllabic soundbite, but, particularly when unscripted, he appears unsure, muddled and inarticulate.
Perhaps these are untimely remarks, but in a war situation America and its allies require at the very least a competent orator and ideally a commanding statesman. They have neither. - Yours, etc.,
Michael Masterson, Grange Manor, Waterford.