A Critique of GOP Positions and Campaign Tactics

The story on Orange County GOP politics (“Parties Confront County’s Politics of Upheaval,” Nov. 8) was an excellent attempt at telling the reader what dynamics were in place in the county at election time. However, I think a couple of issues need to be expanded upon.

The President and his handlers needed to address the deficit and do it in a businesslike fashion. Every single GOP member and every single American knows that the deficit is causing lost jobs, is causing the dollar to be weaker and is directly contributing to the reduction of the American standard of living. Both Bush and Quayle refused to take the leadership role and, in doing so, told the country they didn’t have the solutions we all wanted.

What does the GOP come forward with instead? Abortion and family values and character. Every poll taken in the last five years shows that the vast majority of Americans and of Republicans believe in the freedom of choice. Yet, the GOP takes a position diametrically opposed to the majority of Americans and party members.

To further the problem, family values surface. When asked, no one, not even Bush could define family values. Who were George Bush or Dan Quayle to tell Americans how to be good people, good spouses or good parents? How dare the GOP even hint at attempting to legislate my family’s values.

Add to this the personal attacks made by the President on his opponents. His name-calling (while some of it in legitimate response to like efforts by Clinton) did not dignify his office. When really pressured about it, he frequently whined, almost like a crybaby. “Give me a Republican Congress” was his only answer. The crowning glory was Bush’s siding with Bob Dornan who became the architect of the personal attacks. Dornan, Bush and Quayle. What a trio for our country.

Finally, I think a great many GOP party members were genuinely afraid that Quayle might have to step into the presidency in the next four years. While certainly well-intentioned, it was painfully obvious that he was not the man for the job. Add that to the GOP’s failure on the deficit, on family planning and on the dignity of the presidency and the handwriting was on the wall.

JACK A. BOWLAND

Huntington Beach