Letter - Should you be preparing a 'war' portfolio?

To the editor:

Jean Carnahan continued to show her true colors when in mid-June she sided with the most liberal members of her caucus and voted against permanently repealing the death tax. The measure gained a majority of the votes in the Senate but fell short of the 60 required for passage. Carnahan's vote once again illustrates the political nature of last year's support for President Bush's tax cut.

The senator's handlers continue to perpetuate the hoax that Jean Carnahan is a moderate. The preponderance of the evidence simply doesn't support it.

Democrats including Zell Miller (D-Ga.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) voted to repeal the death tax. Jean Carnahan sided with liberal members including Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).

Even the Wall Street Journal noted Jean Carnahan's inability to lead. In an editorial dated June 11, 2002, the Journal writes "She's doing a remarkable dodge and weave É sounds to us as if she's waiting for orders from Mr. Daschle."

Missourians deserve better. We need a senator who represents the best interests of Missourians, not a person who blindly follows her leadership's every whim.

In the June 13 "Los Angeles Times," Carnahan's chief handler, Roy Temple, says the repeal would have helped billionaires. However, according to the Internal Revenue Service, the largest group of women affected by the estate tax is educators (14.1 percent). The second largest group is clerical and administrative support workers (9.6 percent).

Jean Carnahan has abandoned Missourians once again. Enough is enough.

John Hancock

executive director

Missouri Republican Party

Jefferson City