The mayoral debate made one thing very clear — Ben Chin is not ready to lead.

On numerous occasions, Chin asked questions of Mayor Robert Macdonald that showed a total lack of understanding how government works.

Time and again Macdonald needed to explain who is responsible for budgets and laws and, in each case, the mayor would not be the party to blame, rather the actions of the City Council, city administration or the legislative representation sent to Augusta would be the correct participants to question.

If Chin does understand the roles of the different players in city affairs more than he seemed to indicate, then I can only assume he was trying to embarrass the current mayor and hope that voters did not catch on.

I am not sure which is a greater offense, but neither is very becoming.

Lewiston needs leadership, not finger pointing (in the wrong direction).

Robert Reed, Lewiston