Substance, Style and the Democratic Candidates

Re “Kerry Takes New Hampshire; Dean Finishes Distant Second,” Jan. 28: My fellow Democrats need to wake up. Republicans will be delighted to “bring it on” with Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kerry. More liberal than Howard Dean, with a 20-year record to attack, Kerry has supported a half-trillion dollars in tax increases, opposed the death penalty for terrorists [in the 1980s], supported federal Supplemental Security Income cash benefits to drug addicts ... and the beat goes on. President Bush’s political advisor Karl Rove and the gang will make mincemeat of Kerry. By the time the $200 million has been spent, even Iowa will reconsider him.

Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark is the only man who can beat Bush. No baggage, brilliant, a diamond in the rough politically, Clark is an international war hero who has kept his medals. Clark -- all patriot. No act. Democrats, get real!

Pepper Edmiston

Pacific Palisades

*

Alexander Stille’s excellent Jan. 27 commentary, “The Punch and Judy Dean Show,” brought into sharp focus the dilemma that interested citizens face when searching broadcast news for substance and useful information about the candidates. We have already heard about Clark’s sweater and Kerry’s haircut, and I’m sure there will be lots of pointless speculation about the candidates’ wives’ hairdos. Television news, both network and cable, seems to be allergic to giving viewers a clear understanding about how each of the candidates sees the important issues of war, our economy, international relations and, by comparison, how Bush has fulfilled his own campaign promises.

An informed citizenry is essential to the democratic process but, unfortunately, most TV news wants us to know more about how someone eats a Philly cheesesteak rather than telling us what we need to know to choose the leader of the free world.

Leslie Crabtree

Altadena

*

Every presidential election year, New Hampshire emerges from the shadows of obscurity to repeat what the rest of us already know: Small doesn’t matter.

Timothy Burns

Los Angeles

*

I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it any longer. For the last few weeks I have been inundated with individuals in small states making a difference in the election for our next president. Why do these people get to get on TV and express their opinions, meet the candidates and influence their positions? I live in the most populous state and feel I have no input. I want to meet all the candidates one-on-one (and not have to pay). I want them to talk to me and have coffee in my house and try to sway my vote. It’s about time that I feel a part of the process.

Andrea Daroca

Marina del Rey