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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 19, 2008

A Wise Choice
Regarding "McCain Is Our Man" (Commentary, Jan. 13):

Congratulations on your wise presidential primary endorsements!

Few people argue that John McCain is a good and principled man who stands by his beliefs. The problem is that one of his beliefs is that President Bush was right in waging a preemptive war in Iraq that diverted the armed forces from hunting down the real culprits of 9/11 who were hiding out in the mountains of Afghanistan. Al-Qaida today has magnified its reach and voice while the United States is still bogged down in Iraq supporting a dysfunctional government.

JEANNE FISCHER ZYLSTRA

Temple Terrace

Genuine To A Fault

Conservatives should hold our noses and vote for John McCain. I have a Democrat friend who can't stand W., didn't much care for G.H.W. Bush either and practically loathed Reagan. The only Republican I can imagine him voting for is McCain. Attracting such support will be essential for victory this time around. Besides, it is impossible not to respect the maverick senator; he gave nearly all in service to our country at great personal cost to himself, which no one can deny.

I don't agree with him much of the time, but he clearly follows his convictions and is practically the anti-Clinton when it comes to not being a focus-group-driven opportunist and mega-phony: He is genuine to a fault.

Most importantly, McCain gets it with respect to recognizing the imperative, post-9/11, to dramatically change the Middle East. His criticisms were tactical, and time has proved him more right than wrong.

He's the party's best, perhaps only, hope at keeping the White House and preventing the insanity that will ensue from a leftist Democrat trifecta of control over the legislative, judicial and executive branches.

DWAYNE KEITH

Valrico

Loyalty Questioned

It's not surprising that the Tribune editorial board would endorse Sen. John McCain for the upcoming Republican primary. Other than his stance on the war, this renegade senator is anything but a loyal Republican.

DAVID McALISTER

Tarpon Springs

Don't Forget Economy

The Tampa Tribune has endorsed John McCain for president citing national security as the paramount issue. The editorial board endorses McCain because he is "...best prepared to lead America forward in a muscular yet compassionate way," yet you would not endorse George Bush in 2004 because you felt he broke his promise "... to wield military muscle only as a last resort."

I agree that national security is a paramount issue facing our nation, but if we do not address our economic issues and our ever-increasing national debt, we will not be able to fund security and we will have no muscle. At this time we need a candidate who can repair our economy so we can pay for our defense.

America needs a money manager now, and that man is Mitt Romney.

ALICIA BRITTAIN

Zephyrhills

More Of The Same

Regarding "Romney's Changing Core" (Commentary, Jan. 13):

I feel the same could be said of Mike Huckabee, John McCain and the rest of them. At least Mitt Romney has an explanation and is honest when asked about anything. He has been honest in his business dealings, honest as a governor and has been an effective agent of change. I think your paper would prefer to see more of the same - more lifetime politicians!

If we continue to do what we have always done we will continue to get more of the same. I commend your mediocre staff for sticking with the status quo. Will we ever get change in Washington? Not as long as the press has their say.

GRANT ALLEN

Idaho Falls, Id.

Didn't Do Homework

Regarding "Paul's Fantasies Don't Cut It" (Commentary, Jan. 13):

While admitting Ron Paul has valid points as to the problems America faces, you dismiss the congressman's ideas as "simplistic." I suggest that your analysis of Paul's detailed and intricate solutions is what is simplistic.

THADDEUS S. KACZOR JR.

Sterling Heights, Mich.

Media Is Out Of Touch

Regarding "Huckabee's Tune Is Out Of Touch" (Commentary, Jan. 13):

Unfortunately, it is no surprise that The Tampa Tribune feels that Gov. Mike Huckabee is out of tune with America today. That's because The Tampa Tribune and the mainstream media are out of tune with America today.

Huckabee's conservative convictions and social policies are exactly what Americans really want. Huckabee represents what we have been afraid to ask for, or expect, in a politician today. We have been hoping and praying for a candidate who respects the sanctity of life, understands and believes in the Second Amendment, has the vision to save American jobs, will act to secure our borders and will replace the IRS with the Fair Tax. He believes in all those things and more and will still act with compassion and understanding for those in need. That's the American way!

DENNIS E. DOLL

Tampa

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