To the editor: I’m not a supporter of former President Trump. I’m an independent Democratic leader, but I think Vice President Kamala Harris is Teflon. She’ll say whatever you want to hear. (“Harris Shouldn’t Talk to the Press. It’s Our Fault,” column, August 15)
Yes, Harris is running on “vibes” and some very broad policy measures, but her mandate is unclear. Will she continue President Biden’s foreign policy measures? Does she even have any real policies in place?
If the media were honest — and they weren’t in making us believe that Biden is still mentally agile — they would be emphasizing the truth: Harris was not nominated for this office by the people. She did not earn the right to be the Democratic nominee for president.
The nomination should have been made at the Democratic National Convention, which featured numerous candidates. Instead of seeking conflict, the Democrats chose a safe bet, whose values fluctuate with the weather.
As a voter, I will have to convince myself that Harris deserves this job. Anita Chabria's comment reinforces the same story that many others try to sell us: that Harris has the experience to be president. She doesn't, and that we deserve better.
Isabel Margolin, Amherst, Massachusetts.
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To the editor: I was ready to give my opinion that Harris doesn't need to sit down with the press. If you don't know her or her policies yet, that's your problem.
And then I read the second half of Chabria's column, about journalists who are plumbers of information. Chabria is dead right here.
We need a good plumber to clean up the garbage that politicians spew out. But, to continue the metaphor, journalists have been terrible at their job for the past nine years.
We need you to tell politicians (and I'm thinking of one politician in particular) to their face when they lie. Don't let them walk all over you. Don't check the facts and then complain about it.
We need you to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and get to work.
Janet Dooley, Fawnskin, California.
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To the editor: I'm not a Trump supporter, but at least the orange man has press conferences and takes on the challenges of the campaign with interviews.
At a time when a war in the Middle East is likely looming, with nuclear threats, shouldn't we know more about his stance on issues like the Gaza Strip and Ukraine? You know, on the issues, not just jokes about coconuts and TikTok.
There are just a few months left until an election in which the Democrats say they are “saving democracy.” What is happening?
Andrew Liberman, Santa Monica
