To The Editor:

I would like to encourage my fellow independents, disenfranchised Democrats and Republicans to vote for John McCain this November. We need a proven, patriotic American in the White House.

John McCain has the leadership background (23 years as a naval officer, 26 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate), judgment, integrity and mental toughness to be president. He understands the geopolitics of the world and will, when appropriate, significantly reduce our military forces to a meaningful residual force in and around the Middle East.

He knows Iran poses a threat to world peace, Al Qaeda could stage a comeback in Iraq, Lebanon can erupt in civil strife again and the Taliban and Al Qaeda have to be dealt with in Afghanistan. Our national security has to be a primary consideration for the survivability of the U.S. and the free world. After all, without our security, all other issues pale in comparison, and we do not want to be forced to learn Russian or Chinese or Arabic.

It makes sense to me to have a president and commander-in-chief who is strong on national security and foreign policy, and who will have a cabinet that complements his abilities, especially when it comes to domestic issues. How about Mitt Romney as vice president, Colin Powell as Secretary of Defense, Joe Lieberman as Secretary of State, Alan Greenspan as Secretary of the Treasury, Charlie Crist as Secretary of Energy, Rudy Giuliani as Attorney General and Hillary Clinton or Condoleezza Rice as ambassador to the United Nations?

We know where John McCain stands on issues. There are no hidden surprises. He has been vetted. He is the best choice for president, and as a fellow veteran I proudly support him, not because he is a veteran, but because he will provide the outstanding leadership necessary to help us solve our domestic difficulties and navigate this country through perilous waters in the world. Donald A. Moskowitz Londonderry, New Hampshire