William Bennett

Re “Bennett Tells Gingrich to ‘Change Course,’ ” Feb. 6: William Bennett supported Speaker Newt Gingrich in breaking tax codes and lying to Congress but thinks he should “step down” if he cannot stomach the term “race-hustling poverty pimp” applied to Jesse Jackson and other black leaders? No wonder our mass culture has drifted so far from traditional ethics and standards of conduct. Sports figures aren’t the only role models.

The lack of statesmanship displayed by Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.) in authoring that rude phrase should have instantly been the target of criticism by all national leadership and especially from Bennett, who has positioned himself as judge and jury of virtuous behavior in the country. Surely standards of good taste and moral responsibility must be applied to the speech of elected officials as well as rap song lyrics.

This is a first for me, but I must express strong support for Gingrich in having the courage to stand up for decency in this matter. If courtesy and conciliation can be termed “cozying up” or “hurting the cause” by a high-profile Republican like Bennett, then the GOP has some housecleaning to do.

GLORIA J. RICHARDS