Donald Trump

Re “Buchanan, Trump Edge Closer to Showdown,” Oct. 25: Perhaps Donald Trump running for president [with the Reform Party] will lend new truth to the old adage, “A fool and his money are soon parted.” Surely the sane majority will not take his candidacy seriously. It’s hard to imagine a man who built his empire on junk bonds as the leader of the free world.

MICHAEL L. STEMPEL

West Hollywood

* Neither has a chance of being elected to any office above third-grade hall monitor, but the upcoming struggle between Pat Buchanan and Trump for the Reform Party presidential nomination is truly a contest between Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Now all they need is for Warren Beatty to enter the fray to add Tweedle-dumbest to the mix.

ALLEN E. KAHN

Playa del Rey

* Who said the Three Stooges were dead? They are alive and going strong; they have only changed their names: Jesse Ventura, Buchanan and Trump. Currently doing a gig every day.

ROBERT OLSEN

Yucaipa

* Re “Buchanan Picks Sour Grapes,” editorial, Oct. 26: “If nothing else, credit Buchanan with thinking and talking big.” I believe anti-Semitism, isolationism, xenophobia and homophobia do not represent “thinking big.” What did you have in mind? Buchanan’s “sour grapes of wrath” should ordinarily be “sweet grapes” for the Republican compassionates. So, why do you really think Texas Gov. George W. Bush “pleaded with Buchanan not to jump ship”?

However, any day when you can agree with Robert Scheer and in support of protecting our privacy (Commentary, Oct. 26) is a momentous day. Keep it up!

D.A. PAPANASTASSIOU

Pasadena