Elizabeth Dole

I see now that Hillary Clinton is under the scrutiny of the press, you have taken it upon yourself to go after Sen. Bob Dole’s wife with front-page headlines (“Elizabeth Dole Got $875,000 Over 4 Years as a Speaker,” Jan. 25) and an editorial (Jan. 26). But when, in your editorial, you use comments like “substantial amounts” in talking about only 16% of Elizabeth Dole’s legally earned money, me thinks you take your credibility too far.

THOMAS SLED

Grover Beach

* Both your news article and your editorial indicated that Elizabeth Dole “kept” $147,663 from her speaker income. You indicated that $243,830 was placed in a retirement account.

Using either the legal definition or the practical one, Mrs. Dole “kept” $391,493 for herself. The fact that she decided to place $243,830 in her retirement plan is unrelated. Most of us count money we put into our retirement plan as “ours.”

BARBARA SALTZMAN BERCI

Los Angeles

* Am I getting paranoid or what? First, our first lady, Hillary Clinton, and now a first lady contender, Elizabeth Dole, are being mercilessly scrutinized and by whom? Obviously by men who are, of course, blameless, and cannot abide a smart woman.

The country does appear to be sliding into the murky past, but surely the “emancipated” woman will be allowed to contribute the great deal she has to offer.

Come on, guys, give us a break!

MARGARET A. PINHEY

West Hills

* I see--if Hillary Clinton’s going to get it, then, by God, Elizabeth Dole’s going to get it, too. May I presume, therefore, that you will accept a response from the Dole supporters of, “So what?”

JEFF GORMLEY