Clinton and Penn

Re “Clinton demotes her chief strategist,” April 7

Good riddance was my initial reaction to the demotion of Mark Penn, formerly Sen. Hillary Clinton’s top campaign strategist, over imprudent lobbying efforts. The Clintons’ long association with Penn may have arguably already cast a shadow over the campaign long before this revelation.

Penn’s consistent record of serving the interests of oil, pharmaceutical and other major corporations as well as foreign interests, often at the expense of America’s interests, is a shameful blemish on the Clinton brand. Reports that Burson-Marsteller, Penn’s international lobbying firm, will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign will do little to offset the justifiable criticism for keeping Penn this long.

Miran G. Ternamian

Waterloo, Canada

Clinton is obviously a candidate who cares deeply for our country, is incredibly smart and has shown an ability to bring opposing leaders together for compromise. Unfortunately, she has also demonstrated questionable judgment, first in her support of President Bush’s war in Iraq and now this. Penn’s public relations firm, Burson-Marsteller, claimed Blackwater Worldwide as a client before media reports about this unholy alliance forced him to sever that relationship. Now we learn that Penn represented Colombia while serving as Clinton’s chief strategist, as she was denouncing Colombia’s anti-union stances.

Clinton has repeatedly pointed to her vast experience as a decision-maker as something that sets her apart from her opponent. It is becoming more apparent why this experience hasn’t translated into a majority of support within her own party -- experience does not trump sound judgment.

Dirk Blocker

Santa Barbara