Generalizations in politics

Re “The correct Clinton stereotype,” Opinion, Jan. 15

Susan Faludi was right. A suggestion for the stunning array of Hillary Clinton-hating pundits: Deal with your mother issues under the supervision of a competent, compassionate therapist. This may free you to cover the election in a more clear-eyed, intelligent and grown-up manner.

Christine Ecklund

Santa Monica

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I think people sense and have experienced the compassion that is seemingly inherent in women. However, I personally found the timing of Clinton’s tears extraordinary considering the circumstances. Facing a possible loss in the New Hampshire primary, fighting for her political life as it were, it certainly raised a few eyebrows. For a group of female voters to react to that performance is understandable but troubling. No doubt women are electable to any office; some are more capable than others, just as some men are and some are not. But, if you look at the big picture, to champion Clinton as the first female president just because she is a woman would do a disservice to women everywhere. She has too much baggage, is very divisive and has a suspect compassion. A woman will definitely get her turn at the presidency; I just hope it is a woman who doesn’t have to fake her compassion to win.

Jim Sisco

Newport Beach

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Thank you for Faludi’s insightful piece about Clinton’s “bedrock competence” and Jonah Goldberg’s (“Obama’s real fairy tale,” Opinion, Jan. 15) about the ultimate insufficiency of Barack Obama’s message of hope on the same page. As a 55-year-old woman, I appreciate and completely believe in Clinton’s ability to get the job done and done well. As a spiritual progressive, writer and artist, I also know that it is hope that awakens the civic will to do the right thing. The job of the next president will be akin to the guy who sweeps up after the circus animals leave the ring. Only bedrock competence gets out the brooms and does the work; hope gets us to sing while we sweep. I want both: Clinton for president, Obama for vice president.

Pat B. Allen

Ojai