The People's Post-Mortem

We got a lot of mail about Bill Clinton's victory, Bob Dole's loss and other hot races around the country.

We'd like to hear what you have to say, too, so if you have a comment, drop us e-mail at editor@AllPolitics.com and be sure to include your name and hometown.

"Why Women Like Clinton"

-- George Hawthorne, Bossier City, La., Nov. 6

"Normally, I Do Not Watch Your Newscasts"

CNN: Normally, I do not watch your newscasts, but did enjoy your coverage of the election as compared to the other networks'. CNN seemed to be most objective, something I look for when getting news. Wouldn't unbiased reporting make your ratings soar even more? Please, just report.

-- Stephen H. Derber, Nov. 6

"It's All Over And I For One Am Glad"

Well, it's all over and I for one am glad! I was especially disgusted this election at the mud-slinging and negative ads each party had for the other. I know I'm not alone in my feelings. I live in Lanesville, Ind., which is near Louisville, Ky. In the local elections here, and the national ones, I have to say that I feel campaign reform is desperately needed!! This has been the most mean-spirited election so far. Although the Republicans did their part, I feel that the Democrats really out-did themselves. They ran the most fear-invoking ads they possibly could. It seems that they can't stand on their own merit, so all they can do is attack the other guy (or girl). I guess the old adage is true, consider the source.

It got so bad around here, that even the radio announcers were complaining about having to run and listen to the commercials! Why can't any of the powers that be put a stop to all this garbage and TALK to the people about the issues, and how they will deal with them? How can they ever expect any of us to have any confidence in them when they engage in behavior that we would punish our six-year-olds for?

By the way, I am a registered Democrat, in case you're wondering.

-- Mary Strohbeck, Nov. 6

"Propaganda For The Two Majority Parties"

It is time the media started to acknowledge the need and presence of minority parties in the United States. As long as the media continues its two-way propaganda for the two majority parties, shunning other parties from the spotlight, America will remain a two-party system of democracy.

Along with the electoral college and American apathy, the media is the biggest obstacle for third parties to overcome. It is ironic that in a country founded on change, Americans are now so conformist and scared of anything that veers from the center. As we approach the next millennium, Americans need to look at the election process and its many faults and realize that true democracy does not come from special interests but from the minds and hearts of actual, breathing human beings. Voting for a third party should not be something to scoff at, but should be a vote for change in the sea of mediocrity with which this election took place.

-- Brian McCormick, Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 6

"Shame On The American Electorate"

I have to say shame on the American electorate for re-electing the status quo. Without giving either party a clear mandate, all you are doing is reinforcing the system of rich lobbyists who decide what direction the country will take. You are all falling prey to the big business dollars. It has gotten to the point where clearly most people feel the choice is the lesser of two evils and don't even bother to vote. For the first time since the 1920's under 50 percent of eligible voters turned out. Clinton was elected by 25 percent of the voting public. This is a travesty.

If you Americans want to turn your country around and put power back in the hands of the working class, I suggest giving one party a majority in the House, Senate and the White House and see what they can do. You need campaign finance reform and lobbyist reform. That is the only way to reclaim the U.S.A. from the special interests. While I disagree with Ross Perot, the idea of a populist party is a very attractive one, give people a real option with a leader who is willing to voice the real issues such as deficit reduction (5 trillion?) and while Dole and Clinton harped away at balancing the budget did either of them mention the $235 billion a year your country spends on the military. I have been told that your country used to be great. All I see now is a crime-infested, class-oriented, rich getting richer, no rights for the working man, bankrupt state. If you want to return your country to glory, I suggest getting your house in order and trying to achieve some real change.

Yours truly,

-- Ryan Murray, North York, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 6

"All Over But The Shouting"

Well, it's all over but the shouting. My wife voted for Perot on the basis of (Monday) night's TV segment, (and the fact that she just didn't like Dole).

I voted for Dole and we both then voted straight Republican.

I do feel that the speed of the media's projections is corrupting the process. A simple solution is to open and close ALL the polls at the same time. For example; 7AM to 7PM PST, which would be 10AM to 10PM EST. I really think that this would work.

You did a great job!!

-- Dick, Leland, N.C., Nov. 5

"Boring"

This election was one of the (most) boring, uninspiring in recent history. Why? Voters continuously point to the "process" as being broken, corrupt and in dire need of re-evaluation. The ironic twist is that the "process" is fine. It is we, the voters, who have no one to blame but ourselves. Apathy, lack of interest and shocking ignorance of the nominating process and the basic fundamental processes of OUR government: these are some of the REAL reasons.

We voters might want to soberly re-evaluate OURSELVES for a change and stop pointing fingers at the press, "politicians" and the "government." Bob Dole did NOT nominate Bob Dole and Bill Clinton did not elect Bill Clinton, WE did.

-- Andre Brassard, Nov. 5

"Ashamed"

I am ashamed that my home state of Michigan fell victim to the "slick salesmanship" of Bill Clinton. How anybody could vote for him after all the controversy that surrounded his presidency from the start is beyond me. The old saying "Where there is smoke there is fire" is usually true, and there has been a veritable billow of smoke accompanying Mr. Clinton through his first term. I am sure the best is yet to come. What is even more disturbing is the fact that our president and his first lady shrug all of it off without any sign of moral responsibility for the office that he holds or the integrity of our country.

Thoroughly disgusted,

-- Peter Berzkalns, Tecumseh, Mich., Nov. 5

"Dole...Our Last, Best Hope"

God bless Bob Dole... he was our last, best hope for an America to be proud of.

America, mourn the passing of what you once were... Clinton is the "twilight President" who will lead you into the darkness of an uncertain, bleak future.

Senator Dole, I salute you, and want you to know that I supported you and your ideals with my whole heart.

God protect America from the Clinton Administration!

-- Mary Beth Stone, Nov. 5

"Serve And Support The People"

Dear AllPolitics,

Congratulations on surviving yesterday's assault!

I just wanted to register early opinion about the re-election of President Clinton.

Voter turnout was 49 percent, and Bill Clinton got 49 percent of those voters. This means he got the support of one-fourth of voting-age citizens in America.

I hope Bill Clinton and the Republican Congress take the time to figure out why none of them can get more than 25 percent of America excited about their agendas. Maybe the message they send out needs to change -- government is there to serve and support the people, not the other way around.

-- Todd Giles, Palo Alto, Calif., Nov. 6

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