Sen. Boxer

As a lifelong Democrat recently arrived in California, I was looking forward to casting my first vote here for Sen. Barbara Boxer.

However, I am extremely disappointed that she found it necessary to join the pack kicking Bill Clinton when he is down (Sept. 10). Instead of rallying around a president in dire straits, Democrats who distance themselves or, worse, make sanctimonious and gratuitous statements, are doing the presidency a grave disservice.

RAY POLLAK

Van Nuys

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Whether or not it is deserved, if we are going to morally condemn someone, our purpose in doing so should itself be morally worthy.

On that principle, the recent spate of moral condemnations of President Clinton from Sens. Boxer, Joseph Lieberman and others as a way to bolster their political status (“Scandal Threatens Senate Democrats, Power Balance,” Sept. 9) are no more worthy than the malevolently inspired, hypocritical judgments the president is being subjected to.

THOMAS ROBISCHON

Culver City

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In your Sept. 10 editorial, you describe the Clinton administration as “preoccupied” and “demoralized.” Yes, the chickens have come home to roost. However, in your call for fairness in the handling of Kenneth Starr’s report, you are right. This is not a frivolous matter. I wish you had made the same suggestion for fairness to the president and his minions who have waged a vicious campaign of lies against the independent counsel and his staff.

The matter should not be “destined to remain unresolved for months,” if Democrats in Congress treat it as it deserves--this president’s misuse of his office--rather than as a partisan matter.

NORMAN F. BOXLEY

Pasadena

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It is time for Americans to wake up and realize that we are seeing an abuse of power being exercised against the electorate and the presidency. This coup d’etat is disguised as an investigation of the personal life of a duly elected, very popular president. Remember this character assassination began as an investigation into an Arkansas land deal and has ranged far afield until it reached the point of being a precedent-setting invasion of the privacy of the leader of our country. We still have the power of repudiation of this overthrow in November.

EUGENE HOPSON

Simi Valley

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Clinton not only lied but did everything under the sun to keep the truth from coming out from January to August. The way he and his staff attacked Starr and tried to impede the investigation was wrong! Because of that kind of behavior, he forfeited any kind of consideration from Starr.

ROSE VASQUEZ

Chino

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Surely the accumulation of 36 boxes of evidence regarding the commission of one person’s sexual infidelity and its denial and attempted cover-up should qualify Judge Starr for a change in the title from independent counsel to national inquirer.

DONALD SCHWARTZ

Santa Ana