The Democrats have a tiger by the tail. Soon the Democrats will nominate Sen. Barack Obama as their presidential candidate. By any objective measure, Senator Obama is stunningly unqualified. I am not saying a “thin resume.” I am saying a near total absence of accomplishment.

There are ample indications that there is a creeping realization in the public that Senator Obama lacks substance, core values and beliefs. He is glib. He is biracial. He is opportunistic. He is self-absorbed. However, even his supporters are becoming aware of the degree of superficiality he embodies.

Letters to the editor have that shrill, almost desperate tone, such as: If you want the economy to collapse then don’t vote for Obama. If you support the collapse of world food supplies, then don’t vote for Obama. And so it goes, without any rational bases for either these sorts of comments or to vote for Obama.

Further, the media are staking their reputation for influence upon the success of Obama. Clear evidence of the extent of their investment can be seen in the uncritical questioning and self-censorship in not reporting gaffes, blunders and twisted, illogical responses to the few almost-probing questions.

Every scientific analysis of news coverage has noted the vastly dissimilar treatment of the two candidates. The media lust to be a part of “making history” by helping elect a biracial candidate. So, in the process, everything from ethics to integrity is chucked over the side. We’re gonna make history. But, oh, at what cost?

Increasing numbers of Americans, however, are awakening to these machinations. There is even the occasional tremor among the opinion shapers, as they revisit that fundamental question: What qualifications does Senator Obama have? Would I hire him to run General Electric? Why would I hire him to run the largest business in the country and a whole lot more?

Yes, the Democratic Party has a tiger by the tail. No amount of repeating that Senator Obama is qualified will do. Too many voters are asking that simplest of questions, ignored by the media: “What have you accomplished that suggests that you are qualified?”

JOSEPH A. MATAIS

Portsmouth