George W. Bush

Re “Kinder, Gentler Bush Helps GOP,” Commentary, June 27:

I want to thank James W. Robinson for spelling out so clearly what Texas Gov. George W. Bush stands for as a “compassionate conservative.” Robinson writes, “Yet just as Ronald Reagan’s infectious congeniality gave him cover to pursue bold conservative policies, in the right hands the cloak of compassionate conservatism can perform a similar function. . . . If nothing else, Bush is helping Republicans relearn a lesson from Reagan: Conservatism with a smile has far greater appeal than conservatism with a snarl.”

Congeniality as cover? Cloak of compassion? Robinson’s perspective on Bush boils down to this: Beware of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

RAYMOND HULL

Orange