An Op-Ed Need for Diverse Voices

The op-ed page can't open up space for other voices unless some regular columnists appear less often. And women and minorities must step up -- and be recruited -- to write for that daily open spot.

Everything in print also appears on washingtonpost.com, along with liberal Dan Froomkin's White House Watch, military blogs by Phil Carter and Bill Arkin, political columnist Andrés Martinez, Joel Achenbach's blog and Ann Telnaes's animated editorial cartoons.

Along with more commentaries by women and minorities, more op-eds about local issues are needed in addition to what Close to Home offers. And some that aren't deeply wonky -- maybe even with a laugh or two. I look forward to Marcus's columns because they often add a much-needed human touch.

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I got about 50 calls and e-mails from readers upset about the May 16 op-ed column by James P. Rubin, who was an assistant secretary of state during the Clinton administration. Rubin wrote that Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, was hypocritical to criticize Sen. Barack Obama for saying the United States should negotiate with its enemies. Rubin said that McCain, in an interview two years ago that touched on Hamas, told him: "They're the government; sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them, one way or another." Complainers said a video showed the answer was more nuanced. That's true, but it didn't change the nature of McCain's comment.

Deborah Howell can be reached at 202-334-7582 or atombudsman@washpost.com.