In Steven Markle's letter ("Heinz Kerry's denial hurts U.S. reputation," Aug. 4), he warns against "electing" Teresa Heinz Kerry.

I believe that if he chooses to vote in November, he will find that the position of First Lady is nowhere to be found on the ballot.

Whether or not he approves of Heinz Kerry's recent statements, he must realize that the president's wife has little or no manifest power in the operations of our government. Perhaps he should pay more attention to the candidates that are in fact running for office and less to their spouses.