Voter's Voice

Here's a new selection of e-mail from AllPolitics readers about the FBI files fiasco. If you have a comment on the day's events or want to get in touch with us, you can reach us at editors@AllPolitics.com

"Even The Slightest Scrutiny"

I just want to say that it's a terrible thing that all of the focus in your (FBI files) stories is on what Clinton and Dole are saying. Why don't you test their claims fairly? Clinton claims this was all an innocent mistake, but that doesn't stand up to even the slightest scrutiny. If it was one incident, I could believe that, but it was really 407 different occasions of file-taking -- and that kind of thing cannot be an accident.

And yes, if you have to know, I am a lifelong Republican. But this is not about politics, it's about abuse of power, because party affilliation should never come before our devotion to the constitution. For instance, the fact that Nixon was a Republican doesn't exhonerate him in my eyes.

-- A. Walker, Corinth, Texas

"A Public Spectacle"

I have just read the CNN webstory on the Senate (FBI files) hearings. I think old Reagan and Bush staffers are coming out of the woodwork, perhaps at the specific managing of the GOP party apparatus, and are being completely disingenous about the handling of their files, e.g., Mary Kate Carroll and Anita McBride.

I think it is important to tell the American people that the files have not really been mishandled. As far as we know, they were put and remain in a vault and no information has been made public. It is the Republicans who are making a public spectacle of this whole thing. Hence I find it a bit odd that they are talking about what an invasion of privacy this is.

Moreover, I think it should come as no shock to anyone that a security dossier is kept by the White House on its employees. Many employers are interested in the extensive background check on its employees, for example, banks, police departments and schools. In fact, almost every employer has some sort of backround check performed on employees, even if it is just asking a few questions on the application form. So in a security intensive environment like the White House, one should expect a very complex security operation.

While regrettable in every case, I think even the best-run security operations will make a mistake. But what we should expect in this rancid political environment that adversaries will exploit everything to try to score a few political points. One would think their plate would be full talking about substantive issues.

-- Lawrence S. Norris, Chicago, Ill.

"They All Care"

I don't agree with the statement, "Voters don't care about the FBI files..." I'm a voter, my friends are voters, my business family are voters, my family are voters, the grocery clerk I just talked to is a voter, and not one that I've heard "DON'T CARE." They ALL care. Here again put Bill's political and personal record to the test. After hearing the issues and his responses to them, would you hand over your hard-earned money for him to invest for you? 'Cause that's exactly what's happening here.

Dole hasn't really given a lot of reasons to vote for him, except that he doesn't have skeltons in his closet ('cause the media and Democrats would surely have found it by now, especially since they've had access to those FBI files for so long). However, Bill HAS given us numerous reasons NOT to vote for him.

Still betting on the AMERICAN people in November.

-- Jackie White Hale, Corpus Christi, Texas

"Amazing The White House Even Got The Files"

It is amazing to me that the White House even got the files. In the military, the requests for clearance updates were requested on a form and the FBI did the actual checking of the files. To have the White House say they accidentally got the files to begin with would seem to indicate that someone made a special request to the FBI for the files. Someone bypassed the system to get at files on individuals the White House wanted to check out.

And to add to the problem, someone in the FBI actually let the files go out. With all the other little "innocent" mistakes this president has made, it really shouldn't be surprising. After all, this is the man who dodged the draft and now is trying to use the Sailors and Soldiers Relief Act to keep from going to court in the suit filed by Paula Jones. His guile will never cease to amaze me.

-- William Walker, Whiteriver, Ariz.

"The Inquisition"

I am getting really tired of Republicans holding investigations over every incident they believe gives them possible political advantage. This is not democracy, it is a massive abuse of power. The (Defense Secretary William) Perry hearings sound like the latest round of the inquisition. Does anyone in the press have the guts to speak out?

-- Tony Heller, Longmont, Colo.

More Voter's Voice

"It Is High Time" -- June 17, 1996
"Why Punish The Good Kids?" -- June 6, 1996
"Clinton's True Nature" -- May 31, 1996
"A Great President" -- May 24, 1996
"He's History" -- May 16, 1996
GOP Congress Not Omniscient -- May 14, 1996
Strategy For Dole -- May 3, 1996
New Hampshire Voters -- Feb. 20, 1996

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