Colin Powell

Regarding the appointment of Gen. Colin Powell as secretary of State, Dec. 17: While regarded as a military hero and a giant among men for who knows what, Powell has been a military man all his life. As far as I can tell, all his training and experience are military-related. The instincts of a person like this typically are military. My question is, what are his international relations and negotiation skills that prepare him for his new job?

KEVIN CRONIN

Playa del Rey

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California moderates flocked to Al Gore in droves. So, how are they going to react to President George W. Bush? Based on the introduction of Powell on Saturday, I expect the moderates will come to like him. Until Saturday I had forgotten the frequent press conferences with Gen. Powell during the Gulf War. Hearing him brought back all my past feelings of respect and admiration. And gratitude.

During the campaign many moderates became convinced that a Bush presidency was something to be feared. It is becoming apparent that Bush is going to surround himself with excellent people who can help bring about much good. Bush gives the impression he will let his experts go to work on what they are good at. I expect liberals cannot be happy with Bush, but moderates and conservatives are going to find in him the president we really wanted.

DAVID C. NEEDHAM

Thousand Oaks

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While no one is perfect, Powell’s big goof during the Persian Gulf War has continuing ramifications. He failed to persuade then-President Bush to continue hostilities until Saddam Hussein was decisively overthrown. This failure trumped all Powell’s good work during that crisis. Bush did not get reelected. Saddam survived Bush and even Bush’s successor. Most likely, he will be in power beyond little Bush’s term as president.

WILLIAM BUCHMAN

Los Angeles

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The relief I felt when Sen. John B. Breaux (D-La.) declined Bush’s offer to join his Cabinet did not come from any doubts of the senator’s abilities but from what his acceptance would mean to the balance in the U.S. Senate (Dec. 16). Bush’s call for bipartisanship and “healing” seems particularly cynical and disingenuous when he makes an offer to a Democratic senator from a state with a Republican governor. It reeks of a partisan ploy to tip the balance in the Senate. If Breaux had said yes, the Senate would then be 51 to 49 in favor of the Republican Party, and Breaux could not even be assured of having his voice heard in the Cabinet, since he would be serving, not at the will of the people, but at the pleasure of the president.

KENNETH H. GOLDMAN

La Crescenta

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Dick Cheney? Powell? It’s deja Bush all over again!

DANNY PETILLA

Woodland Hills