George W. Bush

Without a doubt, the mainstream press, pollsters and commentators blew it in the South Carolina primary (Feb. 20). Not only did George W. Bush win, but he won big. The South Carolina Republicans made it very clear that they did not want Democrats, independents and the press deciding who was going to be their presidential candidate. By the way, how did you like John McCain’s tantrum at his conciliatory speech? McCain’s biggest mistake was his ad comparing Bush to President Clinton.

ALLAN GRIFFITH

NANCY GRIFFITH

Glendale

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McCain lost South Carolina because of an egregious error. Not an untruth. A misjudgment. An advertisement of his suggested that Bush was, or was trying to be, or resembled President Clinton.

I voted for Clinton; I have profited, as has the country, and--indirectly--most of the world, from the leadership of Clinton. To borrow a paraphrase: As a leader, George W. Bush is no Bill Clinton.

Sen. McCain, you overpraised your opponent. That is bad judgment. And bad politics. As a result, you lost. I am sorry. Once, I had considered voting for you.

DENIS HICKEY

Mission Viejo

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Bush is running an ad in California which complains that McCain is attacking his integrity by comparing him to Bill Clinton for twisting the truth. In the same ad he takes credit for “passing” HMO reform in Texas. The first patient protection bill passed by the 1995 Legislature in Texas was vetoed by Bush. In 1997, faced with a sure override of another veto, he allowed patient protection to become law without his signature. If now claiming credit isn’t twisting the truth like Clinton, or Al “Internet” Gore, I don’t know what is.

MICHAEL KENNEDY MD

Mission Viejo

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The headline on George Skelton’s Feb. 17 column accusing Bush of a “cockeyed conspiracy theory” is very revealing of Skelton’s own naivete. I am aware of firsthand reports from Democrats who have switched parties in an attempt to influence delegate votes. They stated that since Gore will likely be the Democratic nominee, they would rather abuse the election process to skew the November result by voting for McCain now and Gore in November.

Skelton does make one good point. Democrats do take their vote very seriously. So seriously, they manipulate the election in order to ensure a Bush defeat.

KRISTY LANDGREN

Beverly Hills

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What women want from their candidates is the same thing they want in their dance partners and husbands--someone who is strong and good--someone who can be trusted and who can lead. It doesn’t necessarily even have to be a man, but this year I see a few good men and only one leader, John McCain. He doesn’t need his mama to campaign for him. He doesn’t need a fashion consultant. He doesn’t need to promise all things to all people. I disagree with him on several issues, and some of those issues have been my personal litmus tests in previous elections in which all the candidates seemed equally beholden to the big-money folks.

This time we can go beyond the issues and elect a visionary leader who has proven that he puts his country ahead of himself. A good man, a strong man. McCain for president.

CYNTHIA SANDERS

Los Angeles