Vice President Quayle’s Qualifications

Re “For Quality, Allow a Split Ticket,” by Nelson Polsby (Commentary, May 8):

There is a much simpler solution to Polsby’s balanced and thoughtful suggestion to elect the vice president separately--have the parties run only a presidential candidate.

This would leave the election of the vice president in the hands of the Electoral College, where it already is under the Constitution. This would avoid the split-party potential and need for a constitutional amendment.

This would, most of all, give the President-elect a freer hand in selecting a vice president on the basis of qualification for the office instead of the usual practice of balancing the ticket.

RONALD PATTON SMILLIE

Redlands