Presidential Primary

Throughout this campaign, I have watched Al Gore try to transform himself into the man he thinks the American people want in a president. For example, when polls showed Americans wanted an alpha male as president, he worked that angle into his campaign. But what is most astounding is that he is now emulating the man he has repeatedly attacked over the past few months: Bill Bradley. All along, Gore has followed Bradley’s bold footsteps.

I watched the March 1 California debate and was shocked to find Gore saying almost verbatim what Bradley has been saying all along, like we need to make sure no one is left behind in this country. Does Gore have no identity of his own? It will be to our detriment if we elect the impersonator over the real thing. Vote for Bradley on Tuesday.

JULIE MADIGAN

Rancho Palos Verdes

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After reading your Feb. 29 profile on Bradley and hearing about the 6-year-old who shot his classmate, I feel compelled to write and say thanks for the article on Bradley--you made it perfectly clear who the next president should be. Bradley has committed to the strongest gun control laws of any other candidate and for that, he gets my vote. This madness has got to stop.

MARGI CHESKE

Los Angeles

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I am a 70-year-old grandmother, a Roman Catholic and a conservative, aghast that our nation has sunk so deep in depravity as to slaughter more than a million unborn babies every year. According to James Pinkerton, that makes me one of the “anti-abortion crazies” of the “Christian right,” and George W. Bush ought to repudiate me (Commentary, March 2). His rhetoric is egregiously offensive.

In the interests of Op-Ed balance, I hope you will cut back on Pinkerton’s appearances and replace him with a conservative who believes in freedom of religion, free speech and civility.

DONNA STEICHEN

Ojai

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In the 18 years I worked for Ronald Reagan while he was in and out of public office, I never saw him mean-spirited, vindictive or destructive. Did I really work for a man like John McCain and not know it? I think not!

DOTTIE DELLINGER

Santa Monica

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OK, I admit it. I was a registered independent voter, but I changed my registration to Republican just so I could vote for Alan Keyes, the only Republican candidate that Gore could beat in November.

ARISTIDE LAURENT

Los Feliz

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I re-registered to vote Republican so that my vote for McCain would count in the Republican primary.

Bush seems to be running because the Republican establishment needed the idea of his candidacy more than they needed the actual man. As a result, Bush seems constantly on edge, trying to create himself as a national leader. Three times since the New Hampshire primary, Bush has found it necessary to redefine himself.

I am supporting McCain at this time because I think his advance to the Republican nomination is in the best interest of our country. McCain projects leadership and experience on the national level that Bush clearly lacks.

BERNARD ROTH

Santa Barbara

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McCain may be the best thing that ever happened to Democrats. If the Republicans nominate McCain, the contest becomes a race grounded in a little more reality. All the Democrats who are being wooed by his “reformer” mantra will then get to hear about the real man--anti-choice, pro-gun, defense hawk, opponent of minimum-wage increases and supporter of Newt Gingrich’s contract with America. We can hardly wait. Bring him on.

ROCHELLE and NINO FANALI

Santa Monica

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I have been waiting for months for an in-depth article on Bush’s record as governor of Texas. Your lengthy article about Bush devoted only a couple of sentences, generalizations at best, to his tenure as governor (March 2). Elections should be guided by the phrase “watch what I do, not what I say.” Unfortunately, the media report mainly on what politicians say, rarely on what they have done.

HELENE STONE

Ventura

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Guess I must be a renegade registered Republican. I will vote for McCain in the primary--and if Bush is anointed, I will vote for Gore in the general election.

STAN BURKLUND

Newport Beach