LETTERS: NEWSPAPER LAUDS ASHCROFT FOR GRACIOUS LOSS

To the editor:

Recently I was in Boston and read this article in the Lowell Sun of Lowell, Mass. I agree with every word. I thought this might be of interest to readers:

No ordinary loser

Republican Sen. John Ashcroft deserves respect in defeat

The Missouri incumbent delivered a gracious concession speech to a dead man -- the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, who died in a plane crash Oct. 16 and whose name remained on the ballot.

Ashcroft lost the tragic race to the deceased Democrat by less than 2 percent of the 2.1 million votes cast.

Republicans claim Ashcroft lost on a show of sympathy to Carnahan, whose widow Jean announced she would be willing to serve his term if Missouri voters saw fit to elect her deceased husband.

Mrs. Carnahan's decision put Ashcroft in a tight spot. He suspended his campaign for 10 days, then found himself unable to attack the grieving widow's candidacy.

"Obviously it hurt the campaign," Ashcroft said, "but there are some things that are more important than politics."

The Missouri race is destined for the history books, and Senator Ashcroft has nothing to be ashamed of.

MARIE H. MEYER

Perryville, Mo.