Dan Quayle

In response to “Mr. Quayle Goes to Phoenix” (Commentary, Nov. 30):

Journalist/retiree Pat Murphy denies that journalists are predominantly liberals who oppose the idea of “family values” endorsed by Ronald Reagan, Dan Quayle and other conservatives. Where has he been? Ten years ago, a survey of the graduating class of the Columbia School of Journalism rated dictator Fidel Castro much higher than President Reagan.

Three years later, The Times compared the attitudes of journalists with those of the American public, finding the former more than twice as likely to favor government regulation of business and to oppose prayer in public schools. This election year, the media drumbeat identified support for the traditional family--a family with a man, a woman and children--with “right-wing extremism.” Media infatuation with candidate Bill Clinton became so obvious that it appeared now and then as a story.

Articles like Murphy’s only go to prove Quayle’s general point: The media are predominantly liberal and increasingly heavy-handed in their mission to undermine “family values.” America would only benefit from more participation of conservatives in the media.

THOMAS A. FUENTES

Lake Forest

The writer is chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County.