Madam, - We must take pity on poor Charles Krauthammer, unable to avert his eyes from the "ugly" squabbling of the two Democratic candidates for President (Opinion, March 17th). Poor Charles shakes his head in disapproval at such inappropriate behaviour, tut-tutting and wincing at the unseemliness of it all. These people could give presidential politics a bad name.
But Mr Krauthammer is really averting his eyes from the fact that the ugliest interventions in the campaign have come from Republicans. For example, there was the introductory speaker in Ohio for John McCain (one John Cunningham) who taunted Barack Obama, repeatedly using his second name (Hussain) to loud cheers. At least Mr McCain repudiated the speaker and his remarks, but more recently another Republican has promised that "terrorists will be dancing in the streets" should Obama be elected.
What passes between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is kindergarten stuff compared to what we will hear when the Republicans release their attack dogs. There was very little tut-tutting from Charles Krauthammer about the vilification of John McCain over his rumoured "illegitimate black child" during the Republican primaries in 2000, nor over the notorious "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" who smeared the war record of Vietnam veteran John Kerry in 2004.
Perhaps, in the end, Mr Krauthammer really wants readers to avert their eyes from his preferred candidate this time around, John McCain. The unfortunate Mr McCain can only offer a continuation of the miserable presidency of George W. Bush, with some added competence as the only novelty. - Yours, etc,
TOBY JOYCE, Balreask Manor, Navan, Co Meath.