Inbox

Battling Election-Day Glitches

Michael Scherer’s article is full of good information and good reporting [Nov. 3]. In the future, perhaps it would be useful to do a companion article on what steps are being taken by states, counties, political campaigns and independent groups to mitigate some of these potential problems. That ought to include information on what a voter can do on the spot when a problem is encountered at a polling place. Are there officials who can be contacted in case of a problem? Are there people from each campaign standing by ready to help? Gail Goldey, SANTA FE, N.M.

Where’s the Beef?

As a Barack Obama supporter, I was excited to read that your cover promised “Exclusive: Joe Klein Grills Obama” [Nov. 3]. I felt that such a serious turn in reporting was exactly what the country needed. However, the article itself felt barely reheated, let alone grilled. Indeed, Klein refers almost apologetically to an earlier interview in which Obama “grew a bit testy when I pushed him on the need for universal health insurance and a more aggressive global-warming policy.” Instead of continuing to push, Klein came off as merely pulling the Obama wagon toward the presidential finish line. Please, Mr. Klein, we finally have in Obama the grownup we’ve been missing for the past eight years. Grill him like one! My stomach simply can’t take being force-fed any more leadership that is, shall we say, half-baked. Kelly McLaughlin, NEW HAVEN, CONN.

Your cover shouted of an “Exclusive” grilling of Obama, yet you sadly missed the opportunity to elicit some answers from the Democratic candidate. There was no grilling to be had. For that, Klein might have had to bring up any one of dozens of serious policy, experience and belief questions that might not serve the campaign’s narrative. It is indeed sad that the first time Obama is likely to actually feel any grilling is in the boiler room of the Oval Office. Jeffrey C. Kastelic CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA.

PETA, Pets and Politics

Thanks for your “10 Questions With Ingrid Newkirk,” from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) [Nov. 3]. When the future of the economy and politics is as uncertain as it is these days, it’s refreshing to get Newkirk’s reminder that the important thing in life is to do good, help others and be kind to all animals–not just the cute ones. Anna West, RICHMOND, VA.

The 10 Questions put to Newkirk truly inspired me. I called over my two French poodles, patted and hugged them and left the house to have a Black Angus cheeseburger combo with fries. While I enjoyed eating the delicious burger, I contemplated how some people feel empowered enough to step out and try to force their opinions and beliefs on others as if they were gospel. Jonathan B. Smith, TORONTO

Bad President, Great Film

I’m not sure Richard Corliss and I watched the same movie [Nov. 3]. Oliver Stone most certainly did have a point of view in filming W., his slice-of-life depiction of George W. Bush. The genius of Stone is that he can duplicate the emotions in the movie theater that we all feel in real life: confounded disbelief that a person like Dubya could ever become the President of the United States. Bush is perhaps the worst President we have ever had or, hopefully, will ever have. The first election, in 2000, was engineered, jockeyed and ultimately stolen. The second, in 2004, was actually won by Bush. To cite the phrase that he himself found so difficult to utter: Fooled us once, shame on them. But the second time around, shame on us. W. should be required viewing in every political-science class in the country. Linda Calcagno Melchione EASTON, MASS.

The Obama Effect

The media make much ado about the so-called Bradley effect [Nov. 3]. And it doesn’t take a genius to see that John McCain and Sarah Palin have counted on this racial motivation to help them overcome the consequences of their poorly run campaign. But we must now factor in an even more potent quotient: the Obama effect–that quality whereby the more you get to know a politician, the more you like and trust him or her. This likability and perceived trustworthiness continue to grow over time. Across the board, Obama’s ratings have steadily increased with key groups that had been cool toward him before. Likewise, regarding key questions–like, Whom do you trust to improve the economy, be Commander in Chief, handle taxes or handle the housing crisis?–Obama leads McCain in recent polls. Obama endures. He grows on you. He has time on his side. He is the new kid on the block you decide not to like but find yourself secretly admiring and then openly supporting. In future elections, politicians will have to factor in the Obama effect. Lynn Capehart, LOS ANGELES

The Bradley effect? I predict a reverse Bradley effect this go-round. It will be fueled by sweet old ladies who have been voting Republican since Eisenhower and rugged blue collar workers who were Reagan men but who can’t bring themselves to press that button and vote for McCain-Palin. They won’t admit it to their friends and family–or the exit-poll people. Margie Shepherd, FREE UNION, VA.

Campaign Comparisons

Re Mike Murphy’s “Here Be Monsters” [Nov. 3]: To compare the ACORN incident, in which a few paid workers filled out bogus voter registrations (which were detected, reported and purged by ACORN) for financial gain, with the massive and well-documented efforts by the GOP to suppress and steal votes is beyond biased. Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 were called Democratic on the basis of exit polls before mysteriously ending up on the GOP side, costing the Democrats both elections. In the two cases, state officials at the helm of the electoral process were GOP loyalists, intimately involved in the presidential campaigns. With a dismal ethics record and an ideologically rationalized “end justifies the means” worldview, is there any doubt that an increasingly desperate Republican Party will continue to resort to what has worked in the past? Francisco Rocco, LOS ANGELES

Murphy correctly points out the many polarizing fears that motivate the directions and tactics of each major party’s campaign. I would like to think that all the unethical conduct is only a mutual and relatively equal reaction to the other’s bias. Yet an objective tally proves otherwise. Obama’s mistakes have been mainly exaggerations and minor factual errors. He has also used some sound bites and headlines that may offer misconceptions about McCain’s motives and ideas. However, when it comes to innuendo, unethical half-truths, character assassination and, yes, plain miserable, rotten lies–I would give McCain the prize. It is obvious that he has veered hopelessly away from ethical conduct and is no longer the man he claims to be. There is no real relative equality in his departure from civility. Peter A. Johnson, SUPERIOR, WIS.

America’s Pastime

While a small part of our hearts goes out to Bryan Walsh for his support of perennial also-rans the Philadelphia Phillies, we decry his suggestion that baseball is “past its prime” [Nov. 3]. It is true that the ’08 season saw a small dip in attendance, but that probably had a good deal more to do with the loss of discretionary income than a problem with the game itself. This year the Fall Classic may not reach as many viewers as some previous contests, but we find the game as it ever was: entertaining, fair and fun. Swing away! Kevin Lawrence, BUFFALO, N.Y.

No matter how insignificant the Tampa Bay Rays’ accomplishments may seem to Walsh, the very least he could have done is acknowledge that the American League Champions of 2008 hail from St. Petersburg, Fla.–not the city of Tampa, as noted in both the dateline and the body of his commentary. This common gaffe among major media outlets is no laughing matter for proud Pinellas County residents and government officials, who are separated from their Tampa counterparts by a rather large body of water known as Tampa Bay. Don Moyer, CLEARWATER, FLA.

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