There is a lot of ink being spilled and air time wasted on the experience or lack thereof Sarah Palin. Those with experience in Washington today have led us down a path of financial ruin.

For the third time since being selected to run with John McCain, Sarah Palin has hit it out of the park. Her honesty and warmth were so obvious in the vice presidential debate that it was actually refreshing to watch.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - When Sri Murtiningsi asked her third graders what they wanted to be when they grew up, the answers ranged from doctors to a pilot. One boy in the class raised his hand: Barack Obama said his dream was to be president of the United States.

WASHINGTON - After years of freelancing his diplomatic skills from the unlikely position as governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson is taking the first step toward a bid to become president and put his skills to work in the White House.

ST. LOUIS -- Rep. Dick Gephardt, a 26-year veteran of Congress and the former House Democratic leader, announced his second candidacy for president Wednesday, pledging to repeal President Bush's tax cuts to finance "quality health coverage for everyone who works in America."

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

DEARBORN, Mich. - Mitt Romney officially entered the 2008 presidential race Tuesday, a former one-term Republican governor of Massachusetts suggesting that his record of leadership uniquely positions him to tackle the country's challenges.

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Bowing to the inevitable after an improbably resilient run for the White House, Rick Santorum quit the presidential race on Tuesday, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim the Republican nomination.

Ann McFeatters, guest commentary

Michelle Dresbold knows more about the presidential candidates than most people.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tuesday's presidential election results showed the American voting public has not only become more permanently diverse in its makeup, but also in its mindset.

PHOENIX — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney swept Arizona's GOP primary with support from a broad cross section of voters who said they were focused on the economy, not immigration or the equally divisive issue of immigration.

More than three dozen Republican legislators want plan to require Barack Obama to produce an original birth certificate for Arizona officials if he intends to seek reelection.

PHOENIX — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney swept Arizona's GOP primary with support from a broad cross section of voters who said they were focused on the economy, not immigration or the equally divisive issue of immigration.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Republican John McCain officially entered the 2008 presidential race Wednesday, stressing his experience honed in war and Washington as he sought to revive his struggling campaign.

October 14, 2004

UNITED NATIONS - President Bush, defending his decision to invade Iraq, urged a vast assembly of world leaders Tuesday to stand united with the country's struggling government and said the proper response to spreading violence "is not to retreat, it is to prevail."

TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's opponents won local council elections in Iran, final results showed Thursday, in an embarrassing blow to the hard-line leader that could force him to change his staunch anti-Western stance and focus more on domestic issues.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Election workers counted ballots into the night as Haitians anxiously awaited the results of presidential elections that officials hailed as a success despite delays that caused many polls to open late.

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on issues of interest to East Valley residents. Submissions should be no longer than 300 words, factually accurate and original thoughts of the writer. Please be brief and include name, address, city and phone number for verification. Letters and call-in comments may be edited for clarity and length.

A new retiree organization officially formed an Arizona chapter of about 30,000 members Wednesday, vowing to capitalize on the state’s growing senior population and its influence in the November presidential election.

December 2, 2004

East Valley resident Alison Hawkins skipped voting in the last municipal election, but she did cast a ballot in the last presidential race and plans to do so again in November.

September 24, 2004