This is in response to Andrew Criado's implication ("Gore's endorsement makes Dean the Democratic leader, but he still has to overcome his worst enemy -- himself," Dec. 11) that Howard Dean is unqualified to "fight global terrorism and preside over a $10 trillion economy." Criado begs the question: How exactly did failing financially at multiple oil ventures in Texas qualify our court-elected president for the job?

Maybe Criado is right and Dean isn't qualified.

Maybe there should be stricter qualifications for the presidency so that we don't end up with a president who unbalances the budget and does irreparable damage to our foreign relations.