Loyalty and the Clintons

Re “Why this Bill didn’t side with Hillary,” April 12

It is not easy to decide a national issue without letting long personal bonds be a factor. Friendships and even feelings of obligations too often sway critical decisions. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson rose above that challenging scenario and chose what he believes is best for the nation. He probably lost valuable friends in the process.

Edward Mulvaney

Pasadena

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How startlingly ironic it is that Bill and Hillary Clinton and their hangers-on should decry Richardson’s endorsement of Obama so vociferously with charges of disloyalty. This from a couple hardly distinguishable for loyalty.

Recall the fates of attorney Lani Guinier and Surgeon Gen. Joycelyn Elders, two brilliant African American women with sensible, but moderately controversial, ideas: gays and lesbians in the military sent to the closet of “don’t ask, don’t tell”; and rank-and-file union members sacrificed on the corporate alter of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Yes, the Clintons are loyal -- to themselves and each other. Groups and individuals currently loyal to the Clintons had best keep their expectations low.

Michael H. Weinberg

Pasadena

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Supposedly, Richardson’s “endorsement had been highly coveted, due largely to his stature as one of the country’s most prominent Latino leaders.” Only on paper. He did poorly in all the primaries in which he participated. His appeal to and following among Latinos has been grossly overrated.

Marco-Antonio Loera

Inglewood