To the Editor:

(Published in The New York Times, February 1, 2008)

Re: "The Kennedy Mystique"--op-ed by David Brooks, January 29, 2008

If you were a college student in the early 1960's, as I
was, you know exactly what Mr. Brooks is talking about in
his op-ed regarding the inspirational leadership that Senator
Edward M. Kennedy and so many others have come to recognize
in Barack Obama. I read this essay 3 times before I could read
any other, because it transported me back forty-five years.

It has been that long since I have felt hopeful and energized
about our politicians and about our nation. I hope that
enough people recognize the potential greatness of this
young leader so that he is the one giving the next State of
the Union address.