Election Issues: S&Ls;, Abortion

I was appalled to read the statement of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dianne Feinstein in regard to the appointment of David H. Souter to the U.S. Supreme Court (Part A, Aug. 8). She challenged Republican Sen. Pete Wilson to question Souter about his position on abortion and to vote against Souter’s confirmation if the nominee is not a firm proponent of abortion rights.

If a judge is to represent the people he must decide a case not on his personal preferences but on the law. For anyone to ask that he do otherwise is absurd and without intelligent thought. Otherwise, how could anyone ever get a fair trial.

Feinstein also stated she would refuse to appoint an abortion opponent to the state Supreme Court if she is elected governor. By this statement I ascertain, if she is elected governor, we will no longer have a democracy in California because that judge would be prejudiced before he even took a case. And if Feinstein insists that a judge be biased on abortion, what other biases would she require? She, obviously, doesn’t realize there are people who live in California who oppose abortion. We need a governor who will represent all the people of California and let the judges decide cases on the law.

MARY E. SAMPLES

Los Angeles