Smear is business as usual in politics

THE RECENT controversy over (California Democratic) Sen. (Dianne) Feinstein’s disclosure of a ... letter from a ... person claiming a sexual attack by Judge Brett Kavanaugh when he was in high school has created a furor in the press... It not only demonstrates again how low politicians can fall, but ... how quickly we, the public, forget what has gone on before.

In the 2012 presidential election Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., claimed to have information from an anonymous source that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had failed to pay federal income taxes for several years. That claim was demonstrated to be patently false... When asked if he had any remorse over voicing the falsehood Reid stated, “Romney didn’t win, did he?”

Feinstein’s “disclosure” which even — surprise — some liberal columnists have attacked, is not a smoking gun, nor new work. It is just business as usual for a politician seeking re-election by her party which has moved further to the left than her previous positions reflect . ... One hopes for integrity, honesty and at least a scintilla of a conscience from their elected representatives. When what motivates these political representatives is winning above all, one recognizes that Feinstein’s actions are nothing more than following the playbook of her party. Winning is everything and there are no limits on how one sacrifices moral or ethical values to get the prize . ... MICHAEL STERN Bernalillo