Gov. Wilson’s Presidential Bid

So Gov. Pete Wilson feels a “duty” to campaign for the presidency (March 24). Could someone please explain to him that he already has a “duty” and obligation to be governor of California? If Wilson insists on spending his time campaigning while we are paying his salary, then his new “duty” should be to resign.

RAY UHLER

Irvine

Wilson says he has a “duty” to run for President. As one who voted for him for governor, I say his duty is to the voters of California who gave him a second term. According to the Times Mirror Poll (March 12), 59% of Republicans do not want him to desert the Golden State. It seems to me Wilson is doing a Jerry Brown act and will face the same fate.

PETER C. LATSIS

Culver City

Wilson has now embarked on his 16-month quest for the presidential nomination in 1996. This will entail his being absent from Sacramento (and the rest of California) for substantial periods of time. We fully expect the governor--defender of the public purse, staunch advocate of “workfare” for the poor--to instruct the state treasurer to scrupulously keep track of his absences and dock his pay accordingly. After all, if Pete is off chasing moonbeams and rainbows in New Hampshire or Texas, why should we have to support such extravagances? Shall I hold my breath?

ROBERT E. GREEN

Sherman Oaks

I have been “represented” by Wilson for his entire political career, starting from when I voted for him for mayor of San Diego in the early 1970s. He was an excellent mayor for San Diego, for the first three-quarters of his incumbency, that is. Near the end of his final term in office, it became apparent that he was seeking higher office, and couldn’t give a damn about his duties as mayor unless they helped him spin a positive image for his Senate candidacy. That same behavior has been evident several times during his career.

We the taxpayers have had to foot the bill for one special election for Senate already. If he wins in his bid for President, we in California shall have to foot the bill for another special election to replace him as governor. I personally think it is high time that any politician who runs for another office before completing his current duties should have to pay for a resulting special election out of his own pay. Maybe he should refund the pay from his last two years in office.

CHRISTOPHER D. COURTER

Torrance