Polls, politics and immigration

Re “Legalization of immigrants widely backed,” Times/Bloomberg Poll, June 13

The Times is not alone in conducting opinion polls to show the answer it desires by the way it frames the question. Any path that gives illegal immigrants an advantage is a form of amnesty, no matter how you slice it. I have no quarrel with a guest worker program or with the other aspects of the immigration bill, except for the amnesty.

Try asking a question that shows whether voters would prefer a legalization program that would force the present illegals to get in line behind the prospective immigrants who are playing by the rules and waiting until they can get legal visas. I think most people would agree that people should not be rewarded who cheated, broke our laws and sneaked into this country.

C.W. BENNETT

San Diego

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Re “Giuliani and Clinton stay in the lead,” Times/Bloomberg Poll, June 12

Republicans who regard TV district attorney Fred Thompson as a proper replacement for George W. Bush will surely realize that TV’s Tony Soprano, James Gandolfini, would be an ideal replacement for Dick Cheney.

JOHN MAYS

Malibu

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Why do Democrats want to nominate a candidate who can’t win the general election? Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is the only candidate who has shown in poll after poll that he can beat each of the Republican candidates. Come on, Democrats -- the time is now.

MARY JANE RICCIARDULLI

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