Democratic Leadership Lost Touch With Reality

Re “Gephardt to Leave Leadership Post,” Nov. 7: That Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) are still considering running for the presidency further proves just how far out of touch with reality their leadership in the Senate and House has been. Do they seriously think that, with the outcome of the Nov. 5 elections, any Democrat would ever vote for them? This one sure wouldn’t.

Jonathan Emery

Los Angeles

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I interpret Gephardt’s resignation as a sign of failed leadership. As the House minority leader, he failed (in what would have appeared to be ideal conditions) to rally the troops and their constituents to further populate his domain. Republicans will, or should, use his incompetence as evidence against him in any potential presidential bid. After all, if he can’t lead his party in the House, how can he possibly lead the United States?

Don Danielson

Huntington Beach

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The election proves that when given a choice between a Republican and a “Dempublican,” the voters will choose the Republican. It’s time that the Democrats grow a spine and find something to stand for. Otherwise, the party is destined to go the way of the dodo. I’m sure the Green Party will be happy to take its place, but with values.

James Buslepp

Mission Hills

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Your headline, “Unite Us, Mr. President” (editorial, Nov. 7), is a bit cheeky, isn’t it? Why not just accept the election results and use, “You Won, Mr. President. We support you!”

Dick Ettington

Palos Verdes

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Try as they might, Republicans cannot convince anyone but themselves that this election represented President Bush’s victory over Bill Clinton (letter, Nov. 8). Bush could never have competed with Clinton in intellect, charisma or political savvy. A political heavyweight has been replaced by a shadow-boxing lightweight who dominates the ring mainly because of a lack of credible opposition.

Edward Trendall

Santa Monica

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Democrats are now scrambling to figure out what happened last Tuesday. Either they don’t get it or they can’t face it.

It’s really quite simple -- the American people like Bush. And why? He has a viable agenda, he has a positive attitude, he is ethical and he is likable. The Democrats, on the other hand, have no agenda; they have an incredibly negative, hostile attitude; their past ethics are highly questionable, and they present themselves as genuinely unlikable.

Marianne Truitt

Marina del Rey

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Do those who supported the Republicans appreciate that any vote for a Republican candidate was a vote against desperately needed health-care reform? Let’s hope they remember that fact the next time they complain about the spiraling costs of medication and coverage.

Jane Garcia

Los Angeles

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Judges will be confirmed. Our nation will begin producing its own energy. Taxes will be cut and the economy stimulated. It’s nice to see the grown-ups in charge again.

Aaron Smith

Carlsbad

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Who would have thought that invading Iraq, turning surpluses into deficits, drilling for more oil as a sole energy policy and winking at corporate crime could look so good to so many people? That the Democrats couldn’t offer more attractive alternatives is truly pathetic.

Kurt Page

Laguna Niguel