Must All Politicians Act Like Politicians?

“Simon an Eager but Rookie Politician” (Feb. 12) did a good job painting the character of Bill Simon. He is eager to help California, and he is running a campaign that is unusual in today’s political arena. His detractors claim he is a “rich political newcomer” hoping that his “wealth can buy the race.” They point to him not voting in three primaries, to which Simon admits “there’s no excuse.”

Since when did a person’s wealth and honesty become a negative? Besides, if experience is so important, why aren’t today’s politicians doing a better job? I urge all Californians to ignore the ads and take a hard look at the character and the issues each candidate represents.

Andy Radden

Santa Monica

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I think the Davis ads were more than fair (“Davis’ Riordan Ads Are a Smoke Screen,” letters, Feb. 13). They mostly showed Richard Riordan on videotape with his own words. However, the Riordan anti-Davis ads claiming that Gov. Gray Davis has received more Enron money than any other candidate is a flat-out lie.

“The Company Presidency” (Opinion, Feb. 10) reveals that Enron gave millions to the Bush dynasty over the years, to the degree that it appeared they were synonymous in their ends and means. Enron reportedly gave $300,000 to Bush’s inaugural party alone, three times what was alleged to have been given to Davis. I used to have a modicum of respect for Riordan, but blaming Davis for the California energy rip-off that was clearly designed and implemented by Enron and the Republicans has soured me on the belief that any Republican can be trusted to be independently moderate.

Frederick Cleveland

Hollywood

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Re “Jones Takes Aim at Riordan’s Wife,” Feb. 13: Bill Jones contends that Riordan should not be the Republican Party’s gubernatorial nominee because his wife, a Democrat, supports that party. Jones should throw in the towel and go back to his ranch. He just lost the vote of any self-respecting woman. The 19th Amendment grants a woman the right to vote and participate fully in the political process. So what if a wife and husband disagree about their votes? James Carville and Mary Matalin do, but that has not stopped the Democrats and Republicans from hiring them as consultants to battle each other. Jones needs to learn that a woman is not subservient to her husband’s political whims.

Michael Mayock

South Pasadena

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Jones is the best Republican candidate for governor. He has the statewide experience, the knowledge of the issues and the presence necessary to beat Davis in November, and he demonstrated as much in the Feb. 13 GOP debate. In fact, the chief strike against the “three strikes” author is the fear that he may lack the money necessary to win the governorship. Jones has the courage to stand his ground against millionaires Simon and Riordan, both ideologically and fiscally.

Robert R. Cargill

Malibu