U.S. Eyes and Ears Turn to Democratic Convention

No doubt about it. Sen. John Edwards is an incredibly articulate and gifted orator (July 29). He exudes confidence, and there is a glow and optimism that radiate from him.

However, when you strip away the dressing, all I heard in his speech Wednesday night were the words of classic liberal class welfare and an exaggerated interest in the military and national security, which the history of the Democratic Party betrays. Good-looking? Absolutely. A new kind of Democrat? Please.

Richard Vaczy

Beverly Hills

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The rap on Edwards is the question of his leadership ability. Compared with what? Compared with Cheney, Mr. “I don’t profit by Halliburton, but you can’t hear what we talked about, there are too WMD, and I don’t care what the nonpartisan findings say, there was a link between Iraq and Al Qaeda” Cheney?

When asked to compare the two, George Bush’s response was, “Dick Cheney could be president.” Be afraid.

The rap on Kerry is he flip-flopped on the war vote. If that simple-minded indictment actually changes anyone’s mind about how to vote, shame on them. Kerry did not flip-flop just because he cannot make a decision. He changed his mind, changed his view and changed his vote when it turned out he and the rest of us had been lied to. It takes a much stronger leader to change course in light of new evidence than to plow ahead rather than admit mistakes were made.

Michael Valente

San Clemente

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Republicans say they don’t question Kerry’s record in Vietnam but rather his judgment on national security issues. They point to certain Senate votes on defense spending and his opposition to the 1991 Gulf War. But when it comes to Kerry’s early opposition to the war in Vietnam -- the greatest foreign policy disaster in U.S. history -- that wasn’t good judgment; that was unpatriotic. Typical.

Jeff Overley

Huntington Beach

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I hear and read that the public wants Kerry and Edwards to clarify their positions on the major issues. They can’t because they want it both ways on the issues.

Michael Erickson

Laguna Niguel

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I watched the Democratic convention Wednesday night, the highlight of which for me was the Rev. Al Sharpton’s speech. Your front-page story focused appropriately on Edwards. It also listed a number of Wednesday night’s speakers without noting Sharpton, let alone any of his comments. Is this an example of colorblind journalism or just blind journalists?

Lon M. Burns

Manhattan Beach

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Some people complain that they do not know what Kerry stands for. The problem with President Bush is that we do know what he stands for.

Charles Miller

Camarillo

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Re “Clueless Democrats Trot Out Hollywood,” Commentary, July 29: What chutzpah! Thomas Frank talks of Democrats trotting out Hollywood celebrities when the Republicans’ star is not the president of the United States but the governor of California, who just happens to be the biggest name in Hollywood. Give me a break.

Michael Risman

Santa Monica

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I’m so looking forward to Michael Ramirez poking fun and pointing out the political contradictions at the Republican National Convention (cartoons, July 27-29). I just can’t wait.

Bob Abrahams

Los Angeles

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Wow! It would be worth leaving California for Illinois just to be able to cast a vote for [Democratic keynote speaker] Barack Obama (July 28). Just when we thought we were at one of the lowest points in our country’s political history, he bursts into our lives and gives us a reason to hope again.

Barbara Gary

Mar Vista