Presidential Race

I found “He Smirks; He’s Too Stiff . . . Which Is the Winning Personality?” (July 9) insulting and disheartening. The notion that fat, happy, self-absorbed Americans can’t discern ideological differences between Al Gore and George W. Bush, have “little patience for subtleties” and look for nothing more substantial than personalities on which to base their votes is highly condescending. Have we really come to this in electing a president: Which candidate would make a better date (for women) or a better guys’-night-out drinking buddy (for men)? Are we really that shallow? God help us.

Perhaps if the media would focus on policy and character instead of fluff, we could dialogue about and vote on what really matters: character and policy.

SUSAN M. REED

Carlsbad

* Re “Winning Back His Base,” by Robert G. Beckel, Opinion, July 9:

This is just the advice Gore needs, and I hope he listens. If Beckel’s advice to the vice president works out as well as Walter Mondale’s campaign did in 1984, it would be a boon for this nation.

R.J. GILBERT

Van Nuys