Thursday, January 3, 2008

In "The Steepest Climb" [Style, Dec. 27], Kevin Merida charted the history of African Americans who aspired to the presidency, but he failed to mention Barbara Jordan of Houston, the black House member of the late 1970s who was consistently cited in polls as the first African American and first woman most Americans could envision as president.

Ms. Jordan's memorable keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention -- where she asked, "Who, then, will speak for the common good?" -- generated genuine crossover appeal long before Barack Obama. Like him, she never allowed herself to be pigeonholed as a representative of any one group. And like him, she was immensely popular among white voters. Although never an official candidate for the presidency, Ms. Jordan created a new image of a successful and scholarly yet passionate black politician who had a vision for the nation and not just for one race or one sex.

The complex, stirring story of black presidential aspirants rightfully begins with Ms. Jordan, as she pioneered the strategy that is bringing Barack Obama success today.

MARY ELLEN CURTIN

Washington

The writer, a fellow in the U.S. studies division at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, is writing a biography of Barbara Jordan.