I attended the recent Columbia County debate between Barry Fleming and Paul Broun. As an undecided voter, I knew there was good and bad to each candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, so I wanted to hear them in person before making up my mind. However, as strange as it sounds, my decision isn't based on the issue stances of either candidate -- it's based on the behavior of their wives.

I met both Paige Fleming and Niki Broun for the first time that night. Both seemed charming and personable as I spoke briefly with them. During the debate itself, their true fiber showed through, too. Paige Fleming sat to the side of one of the front rows and remained calm and collected as the debate progressed, even when Paul Broun said negative things about her husband. She was the epitome of a graceful and gracious woman -- just the kind of lady Gloria Norwood always has been. I don't think anyone would argue that Mrs. Norwood was the model wife for a public figure and she is the standard to which all political wives should aspire.

Niki Broun, on the other hand, sat in the very center of a front row and insisted on thrashing about and disrupting the debate. She even interrupted so loudly that the moderator had to issue a warning to the entire crowd to please keep their comments to themselves. I could never have imagined Mrs. Norwood behaving so badly, and I don't want a congressman whose wife makes a spectacle of herself in public forums.

I'll be voting for Barry Fleming on July 15. Paige Fleming can consider this my endorsement of her for our next congressional "first lady."

Betty Gasman, Grovetown