In "Dean Sets Tricky Standard for Himself" (May 2), Mark Barabak questions former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's veracity while quoting strategist Garry South as an impartial political observer, who states: "When you set yourself up to be the only one in the race telling the complete truth, you better always tell the truth and nothing but the truth." While most readers may not be aware that South has a bias in favor of Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) campaign, many insiders know better.
Both Kerry and Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) have tried to play both sides of the fence on the war. Each counts on the support of pro-choice organizations. Both skipped the most important abortion vote in a decade. If Dean is a little messy in calling attention to this hypocrisy, I forgive him. At least he's standing for something.
Jon Felson
Santa Monica
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Barabak might not like Dean, but Dean is the candidate who offers the most hope I've seen for the Democratic Party in my lifetime. He is straightforward and unafraid to take issues head-on (civil unions for gay couples, the war in Iraq). Nor is he afraid to take on President Bush, who seems intent on destroying the very fabric of our nation with the erosion of civil liberties and privacy rights.
