GOP Debate

* Re “They’re All There, but No Sparks,” editorial, Dec. 3:

You complain that George W. Bush has skipped previous debates and then you complain that the debates offer little information. You sound like the person who complains about the taste of airline food and then complains that there is not enough of it.

Things I learned from the debate: John McCain and Bush approve of [Federal Reserve Chairman] Alan Greenspan; Steve Forbes does not. The Bush tax plan relies on economic growth. The McCain plan does not. Alan Keyes is against the World Trade Organization; the others are not. Gary Bauer would insist on a pro-life vice president; Bush would not. Orrin Hatch is against McCain’s campaign finance plan. Bush would modify the current tax system; Hatch, Forbes and Keyes would like to get rid of it. Forbes would greatly modify the Social Security system; Bush and Keyes would largely keep it intact. I could list more.

The reason that you didn’t get much out the debate is because all you were looking for was anything negative.

WARREN H. RAABE

South Gate

*

Bush on leadership: “Here’s the test of a leader: A test of a leader is, when given responsibility, can you perform? And I’ve got a record of leading.”

Apparently, he needs remedial classes in reasoning, sentence structure and grammar. Is this how they talk in Texas?

BARBARA YEOMANS

Santa Barbara

*

It’s interesting that all four likely presidential candidates--Al Gore and Bill Bradley on the Democratic side and Bush and McCain on the Republican--all back the WTO. That leaves voters who don’t approve of the organization with no place to go except the marginal Green or Reform parties.

The trouble with the Democratic and Republican parties is that they have become billionaire boys’ clubs with their allegiance pledged to the corporate executives who fund their campaigns. And on issues such as the WTO, where corporations have a vested interest, the difference between the two major parties is negligible.

This, of course, is making participation in the traditional political process increasingly meaningless to the average citizen, resulting in lower and lower voter turnout for elections.

RICH SEELEY

Palm Desert

*

After listening and watching the candidates, it is apparent that the least credible is Bush, the most politically astute is Gore, and the most thoughtful is Bradley. Bradley seems to be more spontaneous, which highlights his preparedness. He may not have the greatest number of campaign dollars, yet his appeal is growing.

Comparisons through debates will likely determine whose public persona wins out. Are the main issues that distinguish the two Democrats a personal interest in the environment (Gore) versus rights of privacy and individual empowerment (Bradley)? Or, can they be distinguished at all?

BARRY GREENHALGH

Westwood