LETTERS: THERE'S MORE TO AN ELECTION THAN EMOTIONS

To the editor:

In the wake of tragedy, Gov. Roger Wilson has allowed emotion to prevail over logic. Last week Wilson announced he would appoint Jean Carnahan to the U.S. Senate if her deceased husband wins the election. On Monday, Mrs. Carnahan said she would accept the appointment.

When electing political leaders, voters are entitled to clear choices based on a candidates record on issues. Being the widow of Governor Carnahan does not make Mrs. Carnahan his clone. In other words, a vote for Carnahan is made with many unanswered questions. How will Mrs. Carnahan govern? Will she want to complete the term after she overcomes the shock of her loss? Who will be most involved with trying to influence her decisions? That last question is one that causes serious concern. What if this appointment process has been contrived and manipulated by the Democratic National Committee, taking unfair advantage of the grief and emotions of Mrs. Carnahan to advance their liberal agenda? The DNC does not have the best interests of Missourians in mind. Instead, the DNC wants the Washington bureaucracy to micro-manage our lives here in Missouri.

Mrs. Carnahan deserves our sympathy and prayers. However, sympathy and prayers should not translate to votes. Let's not risk the possibility of more intrusion from Washington.

THOMAS J. SCHUMER

Cape Girardeau