HOT TO HANDLE
Congratulations on a most interesting article about candidate handler Ron Smith (“The Handler,” by Tom Waldman, May 17). Most interesting are two of Smith’s conflicting statements.
On one hand, he believes that “everyone should feel comfortable here (in Republican Party). That goes for Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, gays, women--anyone who believe in the free-enterprise system and individual liberty. We must go the extra mile to make sure people are welcome.”
On the other hand, he “feels contempt for the Pat Buchanan wing of the party.”
It sounds as though only those Republicans who pass Ron Smith’s litmus test will get an invitation into the party.
If that’s going the extra mile, Smith’s political odometer is in dire need of repair.
JOHN BRODHEAD
La Canada
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