Letters to the editor

Know when to say goodbye

Re "Clinton nudged by her friends," May 8

I am a lifelong liberal Democrat and a great admirer of Hillary Rodham Clinton. However, George McGovern is right in asking her to withdraw, and she should heed his advice.

It has gotten to the point that even I -- as much as I respect her -- cannot stand to hear supporters on TV keep repeating her bogus bullet points as to why she should continue. It is the first time in my life I have had to turn the TV off when a Democrat was talking.

Bill Clinton once said that it depends on what you mean by "is" -- but whatever you mean, this "is" over. Hillary Clinton will hurt the party, and herself, if she continues. Al Gore knew when to say goodbye. Clinton must do the same. Hillary '12, anyone?

Stan Coleite

Santa Monica



Re "Possible next move: Prolonging the path," May 7

Your article states that Clinton won Florida and Michigan "handily." Those states were stripped of their delegates long before the primaries by the Democratic Party for moving their election dates in contravention of party rules. Both Barack Obama and Clinton pledged to forgo campaigning in those states; Obama wasn't even on Michigan's ballot. Winning "handily" in a race with only one candidate is nothing to brag about in my book.

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Here's how it works: After the last primary on June 3, the Democratic candidate with the most votes is the winner. Is the party seriously considering disenfranchising its voter base by anointing a candidate who lost the popular vote? This is a recipe for political disaster from which the party would never recover. The fact that Clinton is apparently angling for this outcome makes her unfit to lead the country.

Stacy Bermingham

San Diego



Re "What McCain expects from judges," May 7

Your coverage of John McCain's address at Wake Forest University omitted his sneering dismissal of Barack Obama's September 2005 commentary on John Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation as "vague words attempt(ing) to justify judicial activism."

With this comment, McCain revealed an alarming ignorance of the constitutional role of the judicial branch, as well as his ignorance of Obama's commentary.



Like the previous Republican presidential candidate, McCain achieves the lie by simply ignoring the truth.

Joe Riley

Burbank



Re "The wear and tear on the Democrats," letters, May 6