Controversy Over Tower

I don’t know if Tower is qualified to be secretary of defense, and I certainly can’t tell based on innuendo reported in the media whether he has a drinking problem, but I think his pledge to abstain from alcohol was poorly made (Part I, 27). The question regarding Tower’s drinking is, does he have a problem serious enough to make him unfit for office? By now, the Senate should have sufficient evidence to determine if he does.

We don’t need the precedent of someone swearing to a code of moral behavior to prove his suitability for public service. What we need is competence, experience and integrity in our leaders, not a willingness to promise never to drink, take drugs, smoke cigarettes or take the Lord’s name in vain.

KEITH GAYHART

Los Angeles