PRESIDENTIAL LESSONS

Regarding President Clinton (“Educating Bill,” by Jack Nelson and Robert J. Donovan, Aug. 1): It comes through loud and clear that we have an intelligent and wise President, with a wife who’s one smart woman. Difficult problems and changing times confront the President, but he is taking it all in stride and doesn’t hesitate to make what he considers the best possible decision. I have confidence in this President and believe that he will help our country attain greater heights than ever before.

ELEANOR JONES

Santa Monica

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Amazing! It floors me how the President’s inability to lead is being justified. It takes a lot more than fancy marketing to gain respect and become a true leader.

Now, anyone can promise the customer everything and use slick packaging to sell a product. But to get repeat business, one must have told the truth and delivered the product as promised. No amount of PR can alter the fact that we were sold a product that needs a lot more parts to make it work as promised--as well as some more educating.

LORI ANNE LENIHAN

Newport Beach

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The authors are incorrect in saying only four Presidents since 1921 have entered the Oval Office without prior Washington experience: Calvin Coolidge, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Coolidge was vice president when he succeeded to the presidency in 1923 upon the death of Warren G. Harding. If serving as vice president doesn’t count as Washington experience, or if, by naming Coolidge, the writers considered that becoming vice president was a kind of companion-entry into the White House, then Chester A. Arthur should have been cited as well. He became vice president without having served in Washington.

RALPH D.H. FERTIG

Los Angeles

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The authors sound like paid apologists for the Administration. I voted for Clinton, and I’m sorry I did. In his appointments and failure to cut taxes for the middle class, he’s shown little regard for the wishes of the majority of Americans. I believed his message, but his broken promises have proved that he’s just another politician.

ARTHUR LEE HARPER

Palmdale

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Regarding that right-handed illustration, you do know that Clinton is a lefty, don’t you?

CHERRY YIN

Santa Monica