Time to Put Speaker Squabble to Rest

* I suspect that the right wing of the Republican caucus is throwing political tantrums not just out of displeasure that Willie Brown and the Democrats may still wield some influence, but rather that without one of its own in the Assembly Speaker’s seat, its far-right agenda may not stand as good a chance of being enacted.

I am firmly convinced that the vast majority of California Republicans (except for a pocketful in Orange County), want the inner-party squabbling to stop and for the Republican majority to use its numbers to legislate, not intimidate.

New Speaker Brian Setencich has suggested just that. He stated, “I want to bring people together so we can stop this fighting and get on with the business of helping this great state,” (“Reaction Mixed on Setencich Leap to Speakership,” Sept. 15). Perhaps the Republican leadership should heed his words and allow their agenda to succeed or fail based upon its merits, not parliamentary maneuvers.

RIC STEPHENSON

Mission Viejo

* So now we know that the recall of Doris Allen initiated by the Republican assemblymen and their cohorts is strictly a sexist act.

The new male speaker was chosen in the same manner as was Doris Allen. He was elected by all the Democratic votes and two Republican votes--his and Allen’s.

The Republican leaders say they have no plans to recall him.

EMMA W. WILLSEY

Huntington Beach

* For some time now, millions of us moderates have been rethinking it all and taking a close, second look at firmly committing to the Republican Party for 1996.

It’s now quite obvious, however, that if there isn’t room for their very own Assembly Speaker Doris Allen under their very own “Big Tent,” there certainly won’t be room for any of the rest of us.

It’s a shame. Maybe next time--by Election Day in the year 2000--the far-right wing will be able to afford a bigger tent.

Somehow, they still don’t get it: Smaller tents are always more expensive. Always.

BOB RUBIN

Costa Mesa

* Dana Parsons can’t really believe if a male Republican legislator sold out to Willie Brown’s corrupt political machine that we would be less angry (“Allen Commits UnSpeaker-able Act of Being a Woman,” column, Sept. 8). Parsons must think his readers are stupid. Doris Allen’s gender has nothing to do with the outrage over her betrayal. That Parsons repeats such rubbish tells us he’s willing to push the liberal-left line even when it hurts his credibility.

For the record, being a constituent, I made the initial decision to move forward with a recall within minutes of hearing about Doris Allen’s treachery. Mr. Parsons’ description of the decision-[making] process taking place over drinks was intentionally false. Could Mr. Parsons please detail the time, place and participants of the meeting he described in such condescending detail?

It takes a special kind of cynic to use one’s gender to provide political cover for the bargain struck between Doris Allen and Willie Brown. In stark contrast to Mr. Parsons’ imaginary description of the campaign to recall Doris Allen, Republican women, upset with Allen’s disloyalty, are doing much of the work. They know, and the vast majority of Allen’s constituents know, Allen went over to an unscrupulous political enemy for personal and political gain. Using her gender to deflect criticism is an insult to women and just so much bunk.

DANA ROHRABACHER

(R-Huntington Beach)

Member of Congress