GOP Candidates

Despite the media adoration of Sen. John McCain--largely for his anti-tobacco crusading and campaign finance reform position--there is nothing about him that earns him the title of “government reformer.” He’s simply a big-government-solution candidate in a smaller-government-solution party. Al Gore and Bill Bradley ought to save him a seat at their next debate.

These positions have endeared McCain to the media and won accolades from liberals and Democrats. But McCain is no vote against the status quo; he’s a member of Congress and has been for 17 years.

McCain is no reformer; he’s just an old-fashioned, big-government politician riding high on a wave of liberal media enthusiasm. What’s scary is many folks are buying it.

BURNIE THOMPSON

Fullerton

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I was walking to lunch with a co-worker and I mentioned that I had just heard on the radio that Gary Bauer had withdrawn from the presidential race. My friend responded, “Who’s Gary Bauer?” I guess that about says it.

BILL FLEMING

Mission Viejo

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The White House must be worth more than $30 million because that’s what Steve Forbes has spent and still cannot buy it.

DAVE MARESH

Yucca Valley

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Does it really matter what a presidential candidate stands for? If the opposing party controls the House and the Senate, fat chance the new president has of implementing his goals.

HENRIETTE GOLDSMITH

Encino