Alan Keyes

As a Democrat watching the Republican debates, I am thoroughly impressed by the obvious intellectual superiority of Alan Keyes. His positions are well-reasoned and he articulates them clearly. Although as a liberal I might disagree with him on a number of issues, it is clear that he stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. If we must have a conservative president, he would be my choice. Too bad he hasn’t a chance.

CHARLES E. HENDRIX

Pacific Palisades

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The president-vice president ticket that would shake this nation down to its very “roots” would be Pat Buchanan and Keyes (or vice versa for that matter). So how about it, Mr. Keyes, come on over to the Reform Party and help start making some really high history.

HARVEY PEARSON

Los Angeles

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Regarding the Paul Conrad cartoon showing a man strapped to the state of Texas for a lethal injection and labeled “Bush’s compassionate conservatism,” Jan. 10: He was right on track, although I don’t think that he realized it. Gov. George W. Bush has compassion for the victims of crime, not the perpetrators. Now that’s what I call compassionate conservatism.

WILLIAM GARDNER

San Marino

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Re “McCain’s Maverick Status Belies Party-Line Record,” Jan. 12:

This article labels Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas) as “archconservative.” This is wrong. Gramm is merely conservative. He is not a rabid, reactionary right-winger as suggested by the label “archconservative.” How often does The Times refer to someone who is archliberal? Never. This shows your liberal bias bleeding into a news article.

CHRIS KNOX

Torrance