GOP Candidates

* It’s getting laughable to see James P. Pinkerton showing up in Column Right so often (“Way to Lose: Take Another Hard Right,” March 4). This guy isn’t very often right either in politics or in his half-baked opinions. Consider his attempt to puff up George W. Bush at the expense of Pat Buchanan. It was just the usual silly liberal-elite propaganda cliches strung together with a few connecting phrases.

The underlying theme of Pinkerton’s propaganda effort is that the GOP needs to win the White House at any cost and the faithful should therefore support whomever the elites put forth as the GOP candidate. Unfortunately for the elites, the common people out in the double-wides and living rooms all across this nation have more principles than the elites and actually want to vote for a candidate who shares their principles.

What good does it do citizens to have a Republican in office who is the same as a Democrat?

H. MILLARD

Costa Mesa

* Pat Buchanan continues to be the spoiled brat of the Republican Party, as he was in 1992 and 1996 when he ran for president (March 3). He will go down in defeat for a third time--and hopefully for the last time.

PETER C. LATSIS

Culver City

* Make that a drawbridge to the 21st century. Close the gate and leave behind the politics of old in the names of Bush, Dole, Clinton, Gore, Quayle, Buchanan, Perot and a hateful Congress. Leave behind the media talking heads on the airwaves who have helped inspire mass voter apathy. Maybe then a new frontier, a great society, a kinder, gentler nation could ensue. That indeed could be a new deal.

KEN JOHNSON

Pinon Hills