After Iowa, Reshuffling the Democratic Deck

Re “Kerry Wins in Iowa; Dean Is Third Behind Edwards,” Jan. 20: Before a single vote was cast, the media were telling us that Howard Dean had the Democratic Party nomination locked up. But the voters of Iowa had a different idea, and as a longtime admirer of Sen. John Kerry, I say thank you to Iowa.

We will not defeat President Bush in November with a message based upon anger. We will defeat him with a candidate who will command respect on the world stage, who will make our foreign policy decisions with intelligence, not arrogance. We will defeat him with a candidate who will approach our domestic issues so that all benefit, not just the wealthy and most powerful.

Gloria Welles

Pacific Palisades

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I think we urban types can disabuse ourselves of the idea that Iowans are country bumpkins. They showed how politically savvy they are in selecting Kerry -- a man who can really win against Bush.

Nan Lewis

Los Angeles

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Dick Gephardt, a good and decent man, finished out of the running in the Iowa caucuses and has put his presidential ambitions behind him. However, I hope he isn’t finished with public life. Gephardt, whose alliance with unions defined his career, could help labor one more time by using his talents to bring about an end to the crippling grocery workers’ strike.

Joan Walston

Santa Monica

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Iowa is a poor predictor of the eventual winner but helps winnow the field. While the other candidates spent precious resources assailing one another, Gen. Wesley Clark stayed above the fray and effortlessly solidified his status as a top contender for the nomination. Clark deserves credit for his shrewd decision. He is learning to be the candidate we need for November.

Matthew Brenner

Santa Monica

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It is a national embarrassment that the process of selecting the most powerful man on the planet, the leader of the free world, begins in Iowa with living-room caucuses over coffee and cookies. And following this fabulous 19th century start, the process then repairs to tiny New Hampshire, where insulated (literally and figuratively) voters participate in the nation’s first primary. That such decisions, in two relatively insignificant states, can torpedo an otherwise viable candidacy this early in the process is just insane.

Jerry Hermes

San Diego