Last-Minute Smear or Well-Reported Facts?

I used to be a big supporter of The Times, even after moving to Fresno. The content and timing of the Oct. 2-7 articles questioning Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, however, changed my opinion of the newspaper.

The most gratifying aspect of Schwarzenegger’s victory is seeing what little influence the smear campaign had on the voters of California. This should be a wake-up call to the editors (and the professional politicians) that we’re mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

Chris Squires

Fresno

*

Well, well. The people didn’t buy into your biased election reporting, did they? I can only describe your last-minute attempt to smear Arnold as contemptible. Without your and the rest of the liberal media’s “help,” Gov. Gray Davis might have won. Maybe you should try objective news reporting if you want to once again become relevant.

Jim Wenck

Mission Viejo

*

I’m amused by the prattle of those on AM talk radio on their claims that The Times was biased in its coverage of Schwarzenegger’s inappropriate behavior toward women dating back nearly 30 years.

I don’t think they read the same story I did, and if they did, they certainly didn’t comprehend the effort The Times took to check its sources or how carefully it was reported.

For these hosts to shout media bias is akin to the pot calling the kettle black. Most AM talk radio in California has been a nonstop advocate for the recall and for Schwarzenegger’s candidacy since August. The name-calling, ranting and unfounded accusations I’ve heard in my short drive home each afternoon wouldn’t hold water at most newspapers.

Media bias is OK only as long as it’s conservative media bias. And the biggest lie of all -- they will no longer read The Times. Ignorance is indeed bliss.

Dan Chmielewski

Irvine

*

I am an independent voter, and I watched with stunned awe as The Times participated in nothing more than pure partisan politics during the last few days of the recall campaign. The Times, in what was a clear attempt to bolster the Democratic candidates, ran 30-year-old salacious stories regarding Schwarzenegger. They were publicized only because it was clear that Davis was going to be recalled.

This election was not about Davis versus Schwarzenegger. It was about the liberal left wing of the Democratic Party versus the California citizenry. I voted to remove Davis because I am tired of Democrats overtaxing me and telling me that I am “well off” and deserve more punitive punishment in the form of higher taxes because I earn more than the average Californian. In addition, I am tired of being referred to by the Democratic Party as racist because I happen to think that legal residence and citizenship matter and that benefits, such as driver’s licenses, should go only to those who have immigrated legally.

John Buchholz

Grand Terrace

*

Thank you, L.A. Times, for having the courage to investigate and report the stories of the women toward whom Schwarzenegger “behaved badly.” Rather than rush the story, you took the time to be sure that you had the facts before publishing. In this day of short-attention-span journalism, large numbers of people are not accustomed to high journalistic standards, and others just don’t want to know inconvenient facts. Please keep pursuing the truth.

Cynthia Hart

Culver City

*

Schwarzenegger won in a landslide. The Times lost in a mudslide.

Robin McNeill

Playa del Rey

*

The score at the end of the first inning: Arnold 1, Times 0.

Ed Kaempf

Roseville, Calif.