Candidates’ Appeal to State Voters

Re “The California Touch Still a Political Puzzle,” July 15:

For Sherry Bebitch Jeffe to imply that in order for a political candidate to appeal to Californians he must look good in sunglasses and run along the beach is insulting and downright untrue. I call upon this so-called political analyst to explain the successful elections of California political leaders from both sides of the aisle like Pete Wilson, Dianne Feinstein, George Deukmejian and Gray Davis, to name just a few, who despite never being approached to guest star on “Baywatch” have put forth ideas and a vision that has appealed sufficiently to California voters to see them elected statewide.

Possibly Jeffe has confused the average Californian with the television image of an average Californian. The missing piece to the political puzzle is that the average California voter is concerned about crime, jobs, taxes, the environment and myriad issues of substance. They’re worried about paying the rent and making sure their kids are safe. This should be encouraged with political coverage that is substantive and issues-oriented.

It is the cynical analysts who view California voters as approaching elections like a casting call for “Beverly Hills, 90210.” It is the successful politician who views the California electorate as informed, intelligent and voting based on issues, ideas and vision.

Bob Dole’s ideas must be pretty good if you can only criticize him because he wouldn’t look good in shades running along the beach.

JOHN WALLACE

San Pedro