Personality politics

Re “Angelides and the Charisma Question,” Aug. 14

I’m a Democrat and want Phil Angelides to be our next governor. However, if Angelides’ advisors have their way, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will win in a landslide. Bill Carrick, who produces TV spots for Angelides, thinks that personality and charisma are “so far down the list of what voters’ concerns are.” He is wrong. Probably about half of those who actually vote know the issues and vote according to their beliefs; Angelides would win if only those voters showed up at the polls.

But the other 50% vote on how they feel about the candidate, where personality comes into play. I have met Angelides and know he is charismatic. I only hope his advisors get wise to his potential and show it in his ads and in public before it’s too late.

SHIRLEE BROWNE

Redondo Beach

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Angelides helped ruin his own image with the Democratic voters with the malicious negative campaign he waged against Steve Westly in the primary. By the time both candidates finished throwing mud, I was convinced neither deserved my vote. How can I as a Democrat feel any warmth toward a candidate who is willing to spend millions to deflate a fellow Democrat? Angelides’ advisors have already pushed his bad public image over the edge with that horrible primary campaign.

Everything I think of when I think of Angelides is negative. It has nothing to do with his past political accomplishments, Harvard degree, strong family ties or past business alliances. His bad public image stems from the primary campaign, and Schwarzenegger has nothing to do now but smile for the cameras to win the election.

PHILIP RONNEY

Northridge

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I can’t believe the California electorate is snowed by the “I’m really a moderate” election-year fake by Schwarzenegger. Will someone -- yes, all of you at the Angelides campaign -- please remind Californians that it was Schwarzenegger’s eleventh-hour Ohio appearance that helped put President Bush back in the White House? Schwarzenegger turned his back on California then, and he’ll do it again if reelected.

VINCE JORDAN

Los Angeles