Congress Races

On Oct. 18, The Times devoted just 300 or so words to three Congressional races in an editorial announcing its recommendations to San Diego County voters. Think of it, 300 words to races in three districts that are composed of a total of more than one million voters, according to the county registrar of voters.

That’s about 100 words per election--far fewer than the number, say, that cereal manufacturers put on the backs of their packages. Put another way, it’s about one word for every 3,000 voters in the three districts.

With respect, I suggest The Times reconsider what it did that day. Respect, because in those few editorial words on the 48th, 51st and 52nd Congressional Districts, The Times packed a heavy message. It said it could not endorse three sitting representatives in Congress because one, Ron Packard, has distinguished himself about as much as a firecracker at a fireworks display, and the other two Randall (Duke) Cunningham and Duncan Hunter distinguished themselves by converting the House floor, and to some extent, the White House to a coven of over-amped ideologues with patriotic nooses in hand.

The opposing candidates--Michael Farber in the 48th District, Bea Herbert in the 51st District and Janet Gastil in the 52nd District--The Times, said, “are sincere but underfunded grass-roots challengers with little chance of victory.” For that reason, The Times endorsed no one.

If challengers, Farber, Herbert and Gastil, are, as you describe them, “sincere, grass-roots politicians,” why dismiss them in 100 words or less? Couldn’t you have addressed their platforms and advocacy?

Please, you’re a winner of many Pulitzer Prizes for journalism. Give us the benefit of your understanding. Don’t dismiss congressional candidates who have the courage and energy to emerge from obscurity to challenge the status of the San Diego congressional delegation. They--and voters--deserve better.

BOB DORN

San Diego