GOP Convention

Talk about waffles. On the Aug. 14 front page Jack Kemp reverses his stand against expelling children of those in the U.S. illegally from school. He also reverses his stand supporting affirmative action. At the same time GOP keynote speaker Susan Molinari blasts Bill Clinton for breaking promises. Ambition does make hypocrites of us all.

BRYAN W. STEVENS

Rolling Hills Estates

* First Dole reverses himself on supply-side economics, then Kemp reverses his immigration stance. These guys make Clinton look like the Rock of Gibraltar.

NEGARA McALINDON

Irvine

* That political debate in America is being degraded by extremism, division, intolerance and dishonesty is unquestionable. The irony is that the voices complaining the loudest are also the ones most responsible for this dangerous situation.

Conrad’s portrayal of the GOP platform as a gallows for pregnant women is one example (Aug. 14). You published his cartoon next to a column by Donna Mungen calling for “meaningful, honest dialogue” from the Republicans.

Your Aug. 14 editorial complains that the GOP lacks ethnic diversity. Given The Times’ long-standing policy, one that has been pursued with frightening zeal since 1994, of portraying the Republican Party as being hostile to nonwhites, as the party of “rich white men,” it’s no surprise that so many people of color view any Republican outreach with suspicion.

I have problems with the Republican Party, but its basic message, that 30 years of failed Democratic policies show that it’s time for a new approach, is more promising of a stronger, more civil U.S. than the politics of hate and division being promoted by the Democratic Party and The Times.

JOHN M. BENNETT

Torrance

* I am bewildered. Who is running for president, Kemp or Dole?

TOM DEMPSEY

Playa del Rey

* As I see it, the only reason Kemp would compromise many of his own views and consent to be converted from a quarterback to a running back for Dole is because, if elected, Dole would be a one-term president (age) giving Kemp the inside track in 2000.

MILT GROSS