Hugh Hewitt and the ‘Conspiracy’

* Re “Lessons From the Election,” (Orange County Voices, Nov. 12):

It’s fun to watch Hugh Hewitt stew in his own bile, but it does raise the question of how The Times can give space to someone purporting to prove that Rep. James E. Rogan (R-Glendale) lost his seat because the networks called Florida early. What sticks in Hewitt’s craw has less to do with the networks’ performance than the fact that Clinton has had the last laugh--again.

LEN DIAMOND

Westminster

* I frequently watch Hugh Hewitt and Kerman Maddox discuss politics on “Life and Times Tonight.” I am a Democrat, but I regard Hugh as an intelligent Republican pundit who is not unreasonably partisan.

I was disappointed when I read Hugh’s column “Declaration of Florida for Gore Exposes Media for What They Are.” He concludes the “liberal” media conspired to call Florida’s electoral votes for Al Gore early in the evening so some Republicans in California would not vote and Democratic candidates would have an advantage.

Are Republicans the only voters who are so uninterested in the other candidates and propositions on the ballot that they forgo voting after early reporting trends in the eastern United States swing in favor of one of the presidential candidates? Do Democrats not also give up voting when presidential election results are reported early?

When Florida was called for Al Gore, other battleground states were still too close to call. Per Tim Russert, several scenarios still existed that would have given the presidency to George W. Bush. There is no accurate way to gauge what impact that reporting error had on California’s voter turnout. To allege the Republican candidates suffered greater harm than the Democratic candidates is an unfounded, partisan opinion.

Hugh, please tell us you received a blow to the head just before you wrote the column. That is the only explanation for such an improbable presumption from such an intelligent man.

JAN HOYLE

Mission Viejo