Leon Panetta
In response to “Panetta Named Chief of Staff in Major White House Shake-Up,” June 28: Great! Now we’re going to have three presidents: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta.
HOPE BRYSON
Los Angeles
* Re “Shuffle May Not End Clinton Losing Streak,” June 28: I would like to know what losing streak you are talking about. What exactly is Clinton failing at? The President is doing very well on his foreign policy. Even the thorny Haitian mess may be resolved now that tougher sanctions are in place. Also, the legislative record of bills passed and signed is good. Health care is not dead in the water. The Supreme Court has not dealt him a single setback.
What exactly do lackluster poll ratings prove? Clinton-hating may be approaching the same frenzy that FDR-haters displayed more than 50 years ago. With the incredible growth of multimedia communications, many more people believe whatever is repeated often enough.
Why do you assume Clinton will prevent Panetta from doing a first-rate job as White House chief of staff? Why do you assume David Gergen won’t be more effective at the State Department and on the National Security Council?
True intelligence means profiting from mistakes and continuing to learn.
RENA COHEN
Los Angeles
* So, a shake-up in staff at the White House. Only one thing comes to mind--rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Wake up, fellow “passengers,” Bill and Hillary are sinking our Ship of State. All hands on deck--ready the bail buckets! But first, overboard with the captain and her first mate!
JEANNE TUTICH
San Gabriel