All Politics Is Local

* What has happened to all the conservatives? People I’ve admired all my life for having high moral values upon which our country was founded, and that my parents always taught me, seem to have disappeared or just abandoned their beliefs.

If it isn’t enough that we have a president with a reputation for offenses for which I’d be dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps, now there is a congresswoman who’s quickly becoming known for the same kind of things.

Even the Rev. Lou Sheldon and other Republicans are shockingly siding with people who don’t even share their conservative beliefs.

I know that they are attempting to gain more votes, but the way that they are going about it is pathetic. It is causing principled conservatives to think about starting a new party.

By next fall, I hope that there are still some true conservatives worth voting for.

Sgt. ANDREW J. MIKEL

Mission Viejo

* Christian Broadcaster James Dobson has shown great courage in endorsing Bob Dornan (May 2), because although Dornan is only running in a local congressional race he, and anyone who supports him, attract the smears of the loopy lefties on a national basis.

The cries of “racism, bigotry, prejudice, insensitivity” and on and on have already started as the loopy lefties try to demonize Dornan and anyone who supports him.

Furthermore, Dornan’s former “best friends,” the elite phonies in the Lincoln Club, have abandoned him this time for fear that the smears against him will doom other Republicans running this year in California.

Whether one likes Dornan or not, you know where he stands on issues and you can pretty much count on him to be constant.

H. MILLARD

Costa Mesa

* It was with sadness and embarrassment that I read of James Dobson’s enthusiastic endorsement of Robert K. Dornan’s bid to return to Congress.

I’m sad as a Christian and embarrassed as an Orange Countian. If Dobson wishes to turn his ministry into a reactionary political action committee, I hope he understands that there are many people who will fail to understand why he chose such a grotesque, un-Christ-like candidate to initiate his efforts to “translate his socially conservative influence to the political arena.”

Whether one agrees or disagrees with Dobson’s views on abortion and gay issues, civility and respect for others are valued Christian virtues. I’m appalled that Dobson is so eager to endorse someone who is more suited to appear on “The Jerry Springer Show” than to reappear in the House of Representatives.

DAVID STYFFE

Fullerton

* Rep. Loretta Sanchez says, “It’s sad to see an election being used as a political football between the parties. I don’t want national influences to make the decision for us.” (May 4)

Helloooo! This was when President Clinton was at the fund-raiser helping her. It seems to me that both Clinton and James Dobson should butt out and let the citizens of the 46th Congressional District decide on the candidate they prefer. Enough of these celebrity endorsements!

NANCY THOMPSON

Irvine

* Is it just me, or has Tom Wilson become Mr. Flip-Flop about the reuse of El Toro? Since he was appointed to the Board of Supervisors, Wilson has opposed an airport. But last month he stood up and nominated a plan for an airport to serve 19 million passengers annually.

There’s more. When the Board of Supervisors took up the issue of the contract for the county’s lead attorney on El Toro litigation, Wilson was Mr. Flip-Flop again. First he voted for the attorney. Then, after Supervisor Todd Spitzer yelled at him, and some of his anti-airport friends in South County tore up their campaign checks, Wilson was back to the board trying to vote against the attorney.

Wilson is running for supervisor for the first time. Maybe he’s running scared. Or maybe he thinks this is smart politics. Shouldn’t someone tell him it’s not?

Wilson’s opponent for supervisor in the 5th District is John Hedges, a Newport Beach councilman who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978 and is a commercial airline captain. Hedges is a fiscal conservative and his voting record in Newport Beach shows that he supports balanced and rational land use. He also understands airports.

The more he talks, the better he looks. It’s pretty obvious that El Toro will become an airport. And Hedges’ technical experience as an airline captain will ensure no adverse effects on our quality of life.

MARY KELKENNEY

Newport Beach

* As a lifelong Republican and conservative, I’m appalled by 5th District supervisor candidate John Hedges’ attack on those opposing a commercial airport at El Toro, a nonpartisan issue, as dupes of the leftists (April 29).

He does a disservice to the party, which should disavow him for his irresponsible action. Hedges now puts at greater risk the loyalty of South County Republicans who already may perceive a linkage via the special interests in the party to the undemocratic base reuse process.

The tragedy is that any loss of Republican support in South County could adversely impact statewide elections, including Dan Lungren’s bid for governor.

TRISTAN KROGIUS

Monarch Beach