I am well into that category the French diplomatically call “a certain age” – the over 55-year-old women touted as “Hillary’s solid niche.” Well, don’t niche me. I am enthusiastically for Barack Obama, as are most of the women I know.

All over the nation in the overflow Barack crowds, we see women of all ages, young and old. Recent primary results in Clinton strongholds – New York, Massachusetts and California – demonstrate we are in a battle between professional politicians and the people, between enthusiasm and hope and cynicism and business as usual. One thing is sure: The future does not belong to those of us in the “golden years.”

We older folks are always asking young people to clean up our messes, whether the environment, government by lobbyists, our miscalculated wars, or our disgraceful lack of health protection. If we ask this of them, they deserve to have a leader who so overwhelmingly inspires them, one who can channel their hopes, ideas and enthusiasm and attract energized minds to tackle the myriad problems of our dispirited nation.

As one who acted as a liaison between President Ronald Reagan and Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, I know firsthand the power of diplomacy and listening to others. To heal our deteriorated world reputation, we need a president who can bring a new look, a fresh wind, to the U.S. and the world – not the arid continuation of dynasties that have controlled our nation for 20 years and thirst for more. Who can best accomplish this? One who inspires renewal, or a woman of a certain age influenced by disappointments and resentments of the past?

Suzanne Massie

Blue Hill