Fusing New and Old Democrats

* So Al Gore is trying to fuse “new Democrat” policies with the “old Democratic” message of “the people” versus “the powerful” (Aug. 12). In other words, he’s trying to clothe himself with a populist message at the same time as he caters to the interests of mega-corporations that are giving millions of dollars to the campaigns of both parties. That’s really nothing new. Al’s been studying these techniques of public deception for the past eight years at the feet of one of the masters--Bill Clinton!

What’s really sad is that the American voter keeps falling for the same old trick year after year, just like Charlie Brown’s never-ending hope that maybe this time Lucy won’t pull the football away. No wonder thousands of people will be protesting in the streets of L.A. this week. Aaughhhh!

RONALD G. ROWE

Moorpark

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* Re “Bush Challenges Gore to Publicly Condemn Clinton for Past Behavior,” Aug. 12: Psssst! Republicans. Here’s a clue: You’re not running against Clinton anymore.

COLOM KEATING

Pasadena

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* Isn’t it interesting that these hippie-wannabe protesters came to L.A. in their cars built by big corporations or in airplanes built by big corporations and are staying in hotels owned by big corporations? They are wearing clothing made by big corporations and eating food made by, well, you get the picture. The protesters are protesting--big corporations. So why don’t they all move to Cuba, or China, or idyllic North Korea, where the only big corporation is the government?

JOHN JAEGER

Irvine

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* I see nothing wrong with using the Playboy Mansion as a fund-raiser for Latino causes. What I do see wrong was Rep. Loretta Sanchez tarnishing her image as a courageous leader of the Latino community by capitulating to the hypocritical purists who now control the DNC (Aug. 12).

Maybe the real reason for the DNC’s action was that the so-called Democratic leaders are becoming alarmed because they are losing control of the growing political/financial potential of Latinos.

ARTURO P. CHAYRA

Los Angeles

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* The only message that Democrats in L.A. really need to get: When voters turn out in greater numbers, Democrats win at the polls.

RICHARD SHERMAN

Culver City

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* With Joe Lieberman as Gore’s choice for running mate, no matter which party wins in November we will have a Republican vice president in 2001.

JERRY MAZENKO

Garden Grove