Where the GOP Went Wrong

* Bill Lewis’ Nov. 22 letter about Republican political infighting was a diatribe of partisan politics which Lewis signed as “President of the Orange Unified Board of Education.”

The last time I looked at the ballot, school board offices were listed as nonpartisan. Lewis should try spending more time on education issues for the kids of Orange and less on partisan political histrionics; maybe the Orange school board won’t continue to be the laughingstock of Orange County.

At least, Lewis should stop signing his partisan political letters as president of the Orange school board. He does not represent me or my kids.

DAVID RILEY

Orange

* One need look no farther than Bill Lewis’ diatribe blaming “liberal Republicans” for the recent electoral massacre of the GOP to see what pushed away so many moderate voters.

The fact that he drops the “liberal” moniker on fellow Republicans who choose not to stress his apparently divinely inspired agenda to the exclusion of all others speaks volumes.

His implied prescription for GOP success appears to be a pogrom of anyone other than true believers cast in the mold of a “good Republican.”

The closed minds of ideologically pure candidates are the real reason for the public’s disconnect with the GOP and November’s defeat.

As long as tolerance continues to be a four-letter word in the Republican leadership’s dictionary, on election day most California voters will continue to live in a “big tent” instead of a small cave.

RENE RODARTE

Lake Forest

* I believe there were several reasons for the election results of Nov. 3, but two are on top.

Voters would like lower taxes and cost-effective government. Since neither the Democrats nor Republicans have delivered this--due to special interest pork barreling--they went with their second concern:

The voters want to make moral and religious decisions without government interference. So many voted for Democrats as a way to protect their personal right to make those decisions.

In the race I was in for California’s 69th Assembly District [as Reform Party candidate], incumbent Jim Morrissey lost a 30-point lead in two weeks. He did not run on issues but launched a massive negative campaign, which inspired Democrats to invade Lou Correa’s office with 800 volunteers during the last two days of the campaign.

This negative attack, plus Morrissey’s inconsistent record, destroyed his chance for reelection. Correa didn’t really need to campaign!

In Minnesota, Jesse Ventura offers voters what they want: fiscally responsible government and personal freedom in moral decisions. That’s why he won his race for governor.

This perspective is why the future belongs to the Reform Party and other alternate parties. Unless, of course, either the Democrats or Republicans really “get it” and support the people rather than narrow special interests.

JIM BENSON

Anaheim