George W. Bush

Re “Bush Focus on Compassion Poses Challenge in Party,” June 23: Governor of Texas and presidential aspirant George W. Bush tells us that he hopes to win with the slogan “compassionate conservatism.”

The Republicans still don’t get it! Concentrating on PR image and sloganeering--as always, for what will “sell” in America, but just for the purpose of getting elected--no longer works as it did for his father.

In former President George Bush’s day it favorably impressed. He promised essentially the same motto. He pledged more interest in educating our children, human rights and welfare reform. And we all know what the Republicans including the president when elected did, starting with Mr. Tough-Guy Gingrich and now hard-nosed [GOP House Whip] Tom DeLay. They revert to kind--ultra-right-wing kind.

ARLINE MATHEWS

Chatsworth

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Bush, the front-runner for the Republican Party’s 2000 presidential nomination, calls himself a “compassionate conservative” but fails to be more specific on what that term really means. I know of no other politician who claims to be other than compassionate. In what way is he different?

It would be helpful if candidate Bush could be more specific. What is his compassionate conservative view on such subjects as gun control, abortion rights, gay rights or China policy?

Hopefully these questions will be answered before his forthcoming nomination by acclamation.

LOUIS ROBINS

Van Nuys

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Long before any votes have been cast, the media have already selected Vice President Al Gore and Gov. Bush as presidential candidates for 2000. Hold on! Not so fast! Bill Bradley, a man of enormous character and integrity, has an outstanding chance to become our next president. As Yogi Berra so wisely proclaimed, “It ain’t over till it’s over!”

TERRY L. MALONE

Anaheim