The American Spectator

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Serious Candidates

4.16.03 @ 12:01AM

NOT A DUNN DEAL
Re: The Washington Prowler's A Losing Republican Slade:

Having watched a few Senate campaigns over the years (I was NRSC communications director in the 1982 cycle) I've noticed that being the preferred inside-the-Beltway candidate may not translate into victory if the anointed one lacks sufficient fire in the belly.

Senate candidates that come immediately to mind include Elliot Richardson in Massachusetts in 1984 (lost in the primary) and Dick Thornburg in the Pennsylvania special to replace John Heinz. And Democrats aren't exempt from falling into this trap -- ask Fritz Mondale.

A nice clear shot at the general helps -- but it is worth even more if it is achieved by a candidate building the organization and raising the funds needed to scare off the opposition.
-- Bob Pipkin
Belmont, MA

SYRIA SERIOUSLY
Re: Jed Babbin's Kill Ratios:

I just saw Smilin' Al, the Syrian Ambassador, on cable last night. The only difference between him and Baghdad Bob is that Smilin' Al is not yet able to lie about the number of dead Americans lying in the sands of Syria. But he is able to disseminate the same old lies about whether or not Syria has harbored, and fostered, terrorism. And, of course, he can't finish a sentence without the same tired crap about how Israel has WMD's, and why aren't we doing anything about them. Some people just don't get it. Arabs in the Middle East still believe that this country will lie down and take it when Americans are killed by terrorists. Bush is not Clinton. Looks to me like we may have to whup a few more butts before the message is clear.
-- Mike Webster
Dallas, Texas

Jeb Babbin makes an excellent case for a regime change in Syria. This moment compares to the one 12 years ago when the Iraqis had been pushed out of Kuwait and were retreating toward Baghdad. The arguments then for not finishing off Saddam are the very same now for not going into Syria. If hindsight is 20-20, let's take advantage of the lessons.
-- Mark Huebner
Toronto, Canada

Jed Babbin replies:: Mr. Huebner makes a very apt analogy. I'm still hopeful that Assad can learn from Saddam's mistakes, but the odds are very much against it.

NO GREATER LOVE
Re: Michael Craig's The Greatest Protest Ever:

This female Georgia native is in love with Martha Burk. How awesome was it to watch the Masters without those horrible Cadillac commercials that were everywhere during the Super Bowl. Maybe she could find something wrong with college football so I can watch the Bulldogs uninterrupted this fall as well. I would really love it if she could also make a stink about the Super Bowl to ensure no one must endure the above mentioned Cadillac commercials again -- maybe could get rid of Celine Dion and Shania at the same time?
-- Miss Moira Dirr
Atlanta, GA

ON BENDED KNEE
Re: George Neumayr's French Contagion:

George Neumayr states that "No wonder their magnificent churches remain empty. You won't even find kneelers in them. They are basically just museums. A country built by sword and cross has neither now, and is very proud of it."

I'd be interested in seeing his sources because in my experience, his statement is not borne out by the facts. Although state-supported, the churches of France most decidedly function as houses of worship. When I visited the cathedral at Amiens, there was both a regular religious service and a wedding. Later that evening, throngs of people came out for a laser depiction of the original colorized cathedral porticos. St.-Eustache, Notre-Dame, Chartres, Strasbourg....all are great cathedrals with regular and well-attended services.
-- Jill McKeen

MO' BITTER BLUES
Re: The Washington Prowler's Devil Woman:

I completely ignore any writing by Maureen Dowd. Aside from the fact that she is enamored by her own writing I find that she really doesn't submit any news. She is very boring and really doesn't contribute anything but entertainment for the N.Y. Times. I'm sure we can all do better than Maureen Dowd.
-- Jane
Connecticut

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Hillary Clinton, Business, Constitution, Law, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Israel, NATO, Oil