The candidates need to change

Re “Clinton, Obama hit new level of rancor,” Jan. 22

I’m bothered, watching former President Clinton battle Barack Obama in South Carolina. This is the “Man From Hope” shooting down the “Audacity of Hope.” It’s “the first black president” versus what could be the actual first black president. I was 6 when Clinton won his first term, but I vividly recall my excitement every time I heard “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.” I still agree with that idea, which is why I’m voting for Obama. The Clintons are yesterday.

Michael Zeeck

Los Angeles

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The idea that the Clintons shouldn’t go hard at Obama tells you everything you need to know about the Democratic Party over the last 30 years. While the Democrats worry about process, fair debate and a polite airing of the issues, the Republicans have been willing to say and do anything to win because they understand that winning is everything. Obama’s whining is exactly what the Republicans want.

Can you imagine his trying to pull that in the fall, as the party’s nominee, when he faces the political progeny of H.R. Haldeman, Lee Atwater and Karl Rove? They will steamroll over him, and he won’t know what hit him. “Oh, they’re distorting what I really said; they’re not being fair.” Good luck.

The only question Democrats should be asking at this point is: “Who has the best chance of beating the Republicans in November?” Clearly, that is Hillary Clinton.

David Weber

West Hollywood

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It’s not just Sen. Ted Kennedy and Rep. Rahm Emanuel who think President Clinton, as well as his wife, need to abandon the old-school politics of destruction and start campaigning honestly.

It’s one thing for Clinton to speak out in support of his wife, but another to demean and destroy the reputation of another Democrat just because that candidate trounced his wife in Iowa.

Bill Clinton is demeaning the office of the presidency with his behavior, and both Clintons are debasing the ideals and destroying the inclusiveness of the Democratic Party.

Marcy Rothenberg

Porter Ranch

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And to think, it’s only January. Americans are the recipients of nonstop political rhetoric that has caused probably the largest percentage of undecided voters in history. Hillary Clinton claims to have found her voice. In the latest debate I heard it, and it wasn’t one I want to listen to for the next 10 months or the next four years. What happened to the sensitive, compassionate and tearful woman we saw two weeks ago? Obama backpedaled himself into a corner as he was slam-dunked on his voting record. John Edwards jabbed and poked like an underdog vying for the eyes of his mentor, Hillary Clinton.

Right now, there is not one candidate in any party I could visualize taking charge of our country, bringing back dignity and honor to the office, providing real change and restoring America’s place in the world. What we are seeing are people so desperate to win that what happened yesterday is more important that what needs to happen tomorrow. So much for change.

Denise Gee

San Clemente