The Gamut

In yesterday's P.G. the following letter from Gerard D. Pasquerell, who I am fairly certain votes a straight GOP ticket, appeared on the letters page.

A dumber Senate

You have to be kidding me! Sen. Al Franken and Sen. Caroline Kennedy!

Who's next? Sen. Marmaduke, Sen. Ziggy, Sen. Elmo, Sen. Big Bird?

Henry Clay and Daniel Webster are probably turning over in their graves.

GERARD D. PASQUERELL
Pleasant Hills

Why "dumber," Mr. Pasquerell? Because they are well known and have not before held public office? Al Franken hosted a very intelligent liberal radio show and has authored several brilliant political books. He was a personal friend of Senator Wellstone, and he was elected fair-and-square. And as for Caroline Kennedy, she was raised in the white house. Her family has been entrenched in democratic politics for generations. She's educated, vetted, and a brillaint thinker and speaker. Yes, it's true that she also has the burden of celebrity - as does Mr. Franken, but since when has that ever bothered a Republican?

Governor and then President Ronald Reagan.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Congressman Fred "Gopher" Grandy.

Congressman Salvatore "Sonny" Bono.

Congressman and would-be Vice President Jack Kemp.

And in the Senate we find Fred Thompson, who also ran for the presidency.

And lest ye fancy yourself a libertarian or an independant...

Reform Party Governor Jesse "the body" Ventura.

Independant and frequent Republican stooge, Mayor Clint Eastwood.

So please, spare us the righteous indignation. It's a little empty, don't you think?