THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611020009
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 26 lines
My father often said that I could always spot a phony. He covered the U.S. Senate during the late 1940s and the 1950s for International News Service, now a part of United Press International. In 1950, at 15, I said of already prominent Rep. Richard Nixon from California, ``It's just plain politics with him. He doesn't believe what he's saying. I don't trust him at all.''
The same gift, if you will, tells me that Bill Clinton is an honest man who sincerely means what he says. I believe that he is an idealist with a vision of a prosperous, crime-free, better-educated America than we have now, one that continues to be a leader in world affairs. It tells me that he means extremely well by all of us, even if he did go overboard on health care.
I cannot believe that I am the only American besides Hillary Clinton who knows this truth about the president. Many of the American people know it, too. The polls are consistent, with the president maintaining a 16-point lead.
It has been many decades since a Democratic president has won a second term, but I believe that he will be re-elected and will serve the American people well.
DIANA ALLEN STRELOW
Portsmouth, Oct. 24, 1996 by CNB