‘Is McCain the One?’

Senator McCain will have a difficult time winning his party’s primary unless he captures the hearts of the American people [“Is McCain the One?” Cal Thomas, Opinion, March 7, 2006].

For years he has built an “independent” reputation, sometimes at the expense of colleagues in his own party. GOP support will come only if Mr. McCain polls well.

Voters want a president who is a great leader, and someone who is prepared to govern transparently. In this regard, Mr. McCain must convince America that he can be a force domestically (working with a bipartisan Congress to enact his initiatives), and internationally (rebuilding America’s reputation). And, Mr. McCain must promise to minimize the secrecy that shrouds the current administration.

But, most importantly, Mr. Mc-Cain must have plans for the most pressing problems facing our nation, such as homeland security (including worldwide terrorism), entitlements (Social Security and health care), taxes, the war in Iraq, and others.

Pontification and unproductive rhetoric are recipes for disaster. Mr. McCain must clearly define the issues and have prepared comprehensive strategies for dealing with each of them.

Unfortunately, the senator will have to distance himself from the current administration for two important reasons.

One, the administration’s policies on several large issues are unpopular. Two, association with President Bush may drive away potential supporters.

Mr. McCain had no chance in 2000 because he is a rebel. This moniker is still applicable, but times have changed.

The Republican Party must make wholesale changes to retain control of the presidency and Congress, and John McCain may be the rebel to lead this effort.

SALVATORE J. BOMMARITO
Manhattan

‘Some Compromise’

There is no newspaper in the nation that has consistently seen through the smokescreens that are constantly being served up by the anti-school voucher, anti-tuition tax credits crowd more than The New York Sun [“Some Compromise,” Editorial, March 8, 2006].

The editorial of March 8 ripping New York State Speaker Sheldon Silver for having the audacity to ask Catholic and Jewish schools not to raise their tuition in exchange for a lousy $400 in state aid is most welcome.

And the editorial is right to say that Catholic and Jewish leaders should reject this “offer” altogether rather than succumb to such an insulting deal. Are the public schools so bad that they can’t stand a little competition?

WILLIAM DONOHUE
President
Catholic League
For Religious and Civil Rights
Manhattan

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