Running Mate

In your July 20 paper, a Times staff writer reported that Kenneth Maddy of Fresno, the Republican leader in the California state Senate, has written Vice President George Bush urging him to consider Peter Ueberroth for selection as his vice presidential running mate.

Unfortunately, the writer missed an important aspect of Maddy’s letter of July 14 to the vice president. What he in fact called for was to consider one of two California “favorite sons who could help win our state and the key Midwest states vital to a national victory--Congressman Jack Kemp and Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth.”

Maddy continues, “As you know, Jack Kemp is a native Californian. Not only does Jack completely understand California and relate to the types of issues that are important here, he also has a message of hope and opportunity that melds together the Reagan constituency. He can communicate with working class people, ethnic and racial minority groups and the elements of the Reagan majority that are critical in states like California, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York.”

As a proud older brother of Rep. Jack Kemp (R-N.Y.), I’m happy to take this opportunity to make sure that your readers find out exactly what Maddy called for in his letter to the vice president.

THOMAS P. KEMP

Irvine