FACING THE AGE ISSUE

Age is a nonissue for Senator Bob Dole or any other healthy, older politician who would run for President [COVER STORY, July 31]. If a presidential candidate is in excellent health, as Dole appears to be, age should be no more relevant to voters than race or religion. Constantly raising unfounded concerns about a person's age amounts to age discrimination. This year, for a change, let's focus on the important policy issues and the candidate's record. MARK D. PLANNING Alexandria, Virginia

You ask, "Is Dole too old for the Job?'' Nonsense. He has the experience to give him wisdom and the vitality to give him oomph. He's exactly what we need. America has changed in the past 60 years; in terms of medical progress there has been great success. Today the proper time to retire and the age at which Social Security benefits should become available is not 65 but 80. LOUIS R. WARD Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

The idea of Dole being president in his mid-70s is ridiculous. As we approach the 21st century, we need new ideas and younger, more progressive leaders. The symbolism of someone of Dole's generation leading us into the new millennium is laughable. MICHAEL KING, age 15 St. Helens, Oregon

A president is chosen for his intelligence, experience and leadership. Being 72 years of age is not a handicap. NEAL GILBERT Mesa, Arizona

I am only 23, and I'm scared by where the U.S. is headed. It shouldn't matter if Dole is 72 or 102. The important thing is whether he is qualified to run this country. He's got to be better equipped than the joker we now have in the White House. Maybe Dole is just what we need: someone who is a little more mature and level-headed. Shouldn't we give him a chance? Age is a state of mind. KAREN E. SEGRAVE Slidell, Louisiana

Dole is not too old to be president; he is too mean. He does not have the breadth of vision the job requires. He has spent his entire Senate career as an insider. And during that time he has gained a reputation for having the most vicious wit in the Senate. Old dogs can't learn new tricks, the saying goes; old Senators can't either. JOHN J. DUIGNAN Rosedale, New York

Ralph Waldo Emerson's statement "To be great is to be misunderstood" was made for Dole. For that reason, it was nice to read your balanced report about him. After studying Dole for years, I'm ready to follow the man across the Pacific in a leaky rowboat. JAKE M. COLLINS Rochester, New Hampshire

The question is not "is Dole too old for the job?" but "Is Clinton too young for the job?" EDWARD F. HALPIN Park Ridge, Illinois

Too old? No way. It is because of your age, Senator Dole, that we want you for our next President. MARTHA JOHNSEN Holiday, Florida

CALLING THE ENEMY SATAN