Letters: Feb. 2, 2004

WHO IS THE REAL DEAN?

"Howard Dean is hard to pigeonhole because he is not an ideologue and doesn't surround himself with ideologues." LAURENCE E. THOMSON Richmond, Vt.

The major contribution that Howard Dean has made to the presidential campaign is to provide voters with a clear and dramatic choice [Jan. 12]. In recent years, Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have run poll-based campaigns that all sounded the same. Dean is not George W. Bush; Dean has different ideas about how to keep America safe and prosperous. If he becomes the Democratic nominee, voters will have a real choice this November. Isn't that what democracy is all about--two candidates with different views? PAUL FEINER Greenburgh, N.Y.

Dean lacks the folksy charm that attracts many Americans to George W. Bush. If the Dems are looking for a clear alternative to Bush, is Dean the right guy? A question to ponder before voting this primary season: Is it more important to teach Bush and the Republicans a lesson or to elect someone who can work with people from both sides of the aisle? BOB AUGUST Nashville, Tenn.

Discouragingly, Dean reminds me a lot of the Democrats' 1984 presidential candidate, Walter Mondale. In that campaign, Mondale proclaimed he would raise taxes. As a result, he went on to lose by a landslide, with Ronald Reagan winning 49 states. I fear a similar scenario may transpire in 2004, considering that Dean is talking about rescinding all of President Bush's tax cuts. MICHAEL DUKES Toronto, Ohio

Dean is a sensible, intelligent, moderate former Governor who has proved he can balance budgets and create jobs. He is optimistic and straight talking. His background as a doctor makes him capable of looking for facts, diagnosing problems and prescribing solutions. He will serve as a President for all of us, not just a chosen few. CHRISTY DAY Amherst, N.H.

Despite the TIME/CNN poll numbers that put Dean within five percentage points of Bush, 46% to 51%, voters will wake up to reality on Election Day. Dean is like the crazy guy in your neighborhood who everyone thinks is kind of cool but who would never be called on in an emergency. STEVEN F. DITTMANN Arabi, La.

Speaking of Dean, you asked if the country is "willing to elect a Brahmin who grew up in East Hampton, N.Y., and on Park Avenue, who brings virtually no national-security experience to a post-9/11 nation." I ask if the country is willing to re-elect Bush, a Brahmin who grew up the son of a rich politician with a summer estate in Maine; who had no national-security experience when he entered office; who has effectively turned much of the world against the U.S. since 9/11. I'd take the Brahmin doctor, who I believe genuinely wants to help people in this country, over the Brahmin oilman, who caters to his wealthy and powerful friends. ZOE WEIL Surry, Maine

THE POWER OF POPULISM