2000 Election

Surely it’s time we voters started comparing candidates by what they’re for and against and how well prepared they are to fill their demanding jobs and achieve their goals, rather than by the trivia about them.

I may or may not vote for Al Gore, but I sure won’t be decided by what he’s wearing. It’s as uselessly distracting as how many heads of state George W. Bush can name on demand.

Some years ago a most able and worthy man was knocked out of the running by the media’s mockery of his tears, when Edmund Muskie’s outrage over an attack on his wife welled up and overflowed. Far from a sign of weakness, it showed a caring man’s concern for the woman he loved.

Can’t we get our values and priorities straight?

MARSHA HUNT

Sherman Oaks

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Wolf Blitzer’s CNN “Late Edition” interview (Nov. 14) of presidential candidate Bill Bradley was a truly unique political experience. Bradley actually listened to Blitzer’s questions and then gave concise, thoughtful answers without the usual political rhetoric.

Never thought that I would compliment a politician for a great, nonrhetorical interview, much less a Democrat, but Bradley was superb and deserving of accolades on this occasion.

BOB BALL

Anaheim

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Re Michael Ramirez’s Nov. 14 cartoon: The voters of New Hampshire are responsible for giving the candidacies of Bradley and John McCain their viability. The media and the political establishment are the ones who have anointed Bush and Gore as the de facto candidates of their respective parties.

If you look at presidential primary history, New Hampshire voters have always been very independent-minded. And continuing that tradition, they are not being swayed by the pundits or the vast sums of soft money that support Bush and Gore. The strong showings of Bradley and McCain are the New Hampshire electorate’s way of saying that this race is not over until the votes are cast.

We in California should be thankful, since it means we may have a say in the primary process. Perhaps Ramirez should study more closely the subjects on which he draws or follow the national election coverage to “get the real story.”

TONY SCUDELLARI

Sherman Oaks