Sen. Arlen Specter*

Re “Dressing Up a Public Betrayal,” Column Left, March 30:

So Alexander Cockburn labels Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter a “rational Republican.” Where was Cockburn during the Clarence Thomas (Supreme Court confirmation) hearings? Perhaps he should ask Anita Hill for her assessment of Specter, and those other “rational” Republicans--Sens. John Danforth, Alan Simpson and Orrin Hatch (who made me ashamed to be a registered Republican as I watched them try to destroy Ms. Hill).

JERRY COWLE

Pacific Palisades

Sen. Specter is the first 1996 presidential candidate to run on an abortion rights platform (“Specter Launches White House Bid, Assails Far Right,” March 31). This is a colossal insult to the intelligence of half the voters.

I have news for Sen. Specter; most of the women voters in this country are aware of and use one or more of the many good methods of birth control and never have the need or the wish for an abortion. Stick to politics, Senator!

JEAN M. BALDWIN

El Segundo

So Specter, the author of the Warren Commission’s (Kennedy assassination) single-bullet theory, wants to be President. One wonders if he plans to tackle the problems of the budget deficit, crime, education, the environment and drugs with equally keen insight.

BRIAN HAYES

Northridge