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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

Updated: 01/04/2008 10:55 pm

Questionable Strategy

Regarding "Next President Should Pledge Better Way To Field Candidates" (Our Opinion, Jan. 3):

Kudos for your thought-provoking editorial examining the political decisions of the candidates seeking the U.S. presidency.

What does it suggest that the media darling, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, made the unwise strategic decision to expend resources and time to fight for politically inconsequential Iowa while the Republican candidate, Rudolph Giuliani, limited his time and resources in Iowa?

Clinton's claim that she has the experience to be president on day one looks weaker every day. Would you let the pilot's wife fly the plane because she was married to the pilot?

MICHAEL P. MULHALL

Rockville Centre, N.Y.

Media Swayed Voters

Regarding "Obama, Huckabee Win Iowa" (front page, Jan. 4):

I am very disappointed in the outcome of the Iowa caucuses. The media apparently swayed the voters.

First, the "celebrities" got into the picture giving the winners free TV time, and when Jay Leno put Mike Huckabee on his program the night before the caucus, it was definitely not the correct thing to do. The people in Iowa seem to have nothing to do but watch the late-night shows during the cold winter nights.

When someone is presented on a show, it stays in the mind of the people. They vote for who they see the celebrities are for, and this is not the true American way.

If they would have won without these connections - Barack Obama with Oprah Winfrey and Huckabee with Chuck Norris - fair and square, I would not have minded. It would not have mattered which one of the candidates they picked to back; it just is not the way elections of the people should be conducted. Now we will never know the true picture.

Thank goodness this is only a beginning, but it sets a precedent I do not like. I don't watch talk shows. However, we all know that this influences many people.

LEE NAGEL

Tampa

America Has Spoken

Now the voters have spoken in Iowa and all over America: We are not going to again hire a Clinton liberal to run our economy into a recession, and we are definitely not going to hire a Clinton to raise taxes again, lie to us again and give away the store for health care for people who can afford it but won't pay for it. And, sadly, America is not going to hire a black man for the job, either, even if we find one who actually has experience and credentials for the job, which we haven't yet.

That leaves the job open for a Republican who will continue the tax cuts of G.W. Bush and who will stop illegal immigration immediately and will continue building the fence on our southern border and will continue the war on terror.

Yes, America has already spoken, and America will hire the Republican who will ensure all these things are done, but I'm not sure we have him yet on the ballot. And that's all you need to know about the November election.

JOHN LALLEMAND

Dade City

Leave Religion Out

Article VI of the U. S. Constitution states: "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public trust under the United States."

Americans should be concerned about a candidate for president of the United States who is on a constant attack mode about an opponent's religious faith rather than concentrating on the issues.

Mike Huckabee, in his zeal to become president of the United States, in his egoism, fails to support Article VI of the Constitution. He claims to be a Christian, but he has been on a continuous attack of Mitt Romney's religious faith.

In a political race, what is important is a person's character, stand on the issues that affect Americans and how that person will deal with a global political environment.

I am 76, a practicing Christian who served four years in the U.S. Air Force because of the love for my country and in defense of our freedom and the Constitution. I'm not a supporter of Romney, but defend his right to practice a religious faith of his choice and to run for public office.

DARRELL W. WESTON

Beverly Hills

The World's Best System

Our system of government is the most effective on Earth, despite what its detractors say, and envied and desired all around the globe. May 2008 be the year that we believe that.JOHN AUSMUS

Wesley Chapel

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