Democrats vs. Sanchez: Smart Play, Boys?

* The Democrats have throttled Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) because she had plans to have a Hispanic fund-raiser at the Playboy Mansion? Sounds like gross hypocrisy to me.

These are the same Democrats who have a party leader who has a hard time keeping his zipper zipped, have accepted sizable campaign contributions from Hugh Hefner and constantly hammer us about how they are the party of inclusion. And whatever happened to freedom of speech? Frankly, I am overjoyed to see the true realities--read that hypocrisy--of the Democratic Party for all to see.

ROBERT L. FRANZ

Placentia

* If Sanchez were a man, would they be questioning her independence and not following the “party line” or threatening to deprive her of a speaking slot and removing her from a committee position? I think not.

What happened to her being the “party darling” after she beat Bob Dornan?

How quickly things change.

MARY SHOOK

Anaheim

* Out of the heart the mouth speaks. It seems Sanchez had only one thing on her mind when she planned the Playboy Mansion fund-raiser: big bucks no matter how tactless! When are our representatives going to get the message that their constituents care how and by what means money is raised, and that their actions speak louder than words? The DNC’s response was even more thoughtless. Let’s throw out the baby and the bathwater!

S.A. LONG

Fountain Valley

* What is the world coming to? A nice girl from Santa Ana cannot even have a fund-raiser at the Playboy Mansion without a fuss. I can hardly wait to see how this affects the bunny vote.

WILLIAM A. FERRARO

Seal Beach

* Re “Fund-Raiser Costs Convention Spot,” Aug. 11:

Sanchez is not the first Democrat to be supported by Hefner and, hopefully, she will not be the last.

Thank goodness this Democrat is not stopping to grovel over the past mistakes of our president. Al Gore’s paranoia causes me to question his integrity rather than Sanchez’s. While Gore frantically attempts to portray himself as a prudish fundamentalist (the choice of Sen. Joseph Lieberman as running mate and the denouncement of Sanchez), Sanchez continues to state her views with firm and honest resolution.

And because she is a confident, secure and vital representative, she makes no attempt to put herself in a false light. While a few misguided politicians may condemn Sanchez, loyal voters will continue to support her.

JAYNE MUNOZ

Santa Ana

* Re “Sanchez Isn’t One to Dazzle,” Aug. 13:

I have been impressed with the political effort of Sanchez since she began taking on one of the most ruthless politicians ever to hold office, Bob Dornan. She was not only able to defeat Mr. Dornan, but reminiscent of the high school calculus students in the movie “Stand and Deliver,” she was forced to do it again in a recount. She still emerged victorious.

As a former Republican, the thing I found most distasteful about the Republican Party was its effort to legislate morality with such leaders as Pat Robertson and Pat Buchanan. It seems, however, that we have come full circle. The Democratic Party now seems to be looking for a holier-than-thou stance in a post-Clinton era.

Additionally, there seems to be growing support of the George W. Bush campaign in the Hispanic community and the Democratic Party now is throwing stones at Sanchez. This for organizing a political event at what is probably the most recognizable address in the state of California and home to many previous political fund-raisers.

When Mary Silva, in a letter to the editor Aug. 13, complains about Sanchez and “her ilk,” it makes me wonder about the ilk of many Democrats--it seems that they’ve taken to legislating morality at the expense of a great and honorable lady.

If this is the path the Democratic Party is moving toward, maybe I need to take another look at George W. Bush this year.

STEVEN A. GAMEZ

Huntington Beach