Sen. John McCain

* I enjoyed reading Ronald Brownstein’s Sept. 6 column (“Forbes, McCain Writings Show How They Want to Measure Up in 2000”). Candidates’ books are often overlooked as just an extension of their campaign literature. Whether they provide true insights into the character of a candidate is hard to say. But when someone who observes the candidate on a day-to-day basis can pick out a strong sense of self that rings true, as Brownstein has in Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) personal sense of service and honor, it lends credibility to the sentiments expressed. And it makes me want to take a closer look at McCain. I hope other Republicans will do the same before conceding the nomination to Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

FRANK ALBERS

Seal Beach

* If the polls are accurate, we are going to see the closest thing yet to a royal succession to the presidency in next fall’s election. I can see no outstanding personal qualifications in either candidate, Bush or Al Gore, other than their remarkable abilities to raise tons of money and that one is the son of a former president and the other the son of a longtime senator. I seriously doubt that either of them could have risen to his present prominence on his own merits.

Should the election boil down to one of these two becoming president, we’re in for another decade of money-driven chicanery. The sophistry of the past 20 years will intensify and the word “statesmanship” will fade from our lexicon.

I hope that we will see instead a race between two people whose lives have been distinguished by initiative, perseverance, personal achievement, integrity and honor. A race between McCain and Bill Bradley would be a win-win contest. One way or another, we would all be winners.

MAC McKERNAN

Redondo Beach