On the eve of the latest elections in this seemingly endless primary season, I saw both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on the evening news. Sen. Clinton appeared to be exhausted, her voice husky and weak. Sen. Obama is younger, but he also appeared tired, worn and edgy.

I believe that the primary system we have developed in the United States which was intended to bring the presidential selection process closer to the people has instead created a cruel ordeal for those people who have the courage and stamina to seek the office.

Some people argue that the lengthy process is necessary to weed out those who lack the ability and vigor for the office. But the presidency first requires mental agility and an informed intellect. We are not testing athletic prowess or physical strength.

We have had several presidents who conducted the office under severe physical restraints: Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Kennedy all coped with illness and physical limitations but all performed competently and in some instances brilliantly. If the ability to withstand the campaign is the first qualification for a president, why do we not nominate the winner and first runner-up of the Boston Marathon?

The primary system was developed to give more democratic choices to the voters and to prevent nominees from being selected in closed-door sessions by party insiders. It has turned into a rowdy contest of states trying to elbow each other out to be first, thus gaining political influence and the economic boost which comes from the campaigns themselves.

When we lived in New Hampshire, former Gov. Rockefeller actually campaigned in our little crossroads of 250 and dropped a lot of campaign money in local motels, restaurants and TV stations. But the process has spun out of control, and now both the voters and the candidates are subjected to endless months of campaigning and nonstop political hoopla.

Recently CBC News in Canada raised the question of whether the American system for choosing party leaders was something Canadians should consider adopting. I recommend our system if you like never-ending political campaigning which appears designed to break the sanity and health of the candidates.

Our system really needs reform, but too many people have a stake in things as they are, and I do not expect to see change. Instead of a gas tax moratorium for the summer, why do we not send Sens. Obama, Clinton and McCain on a vacation until Labor Day? It would be good for them and for the entire country.

Walter F. Smith

Ogdensburg