Sen. Carol Weston’s well-written, angry tirade (BDN op-ed, Aug. 19) against the Democrats reads like a page out of a Karl Rove neo-con handbook. The neo-con takeover of the Grand Old Party is reflected in this piece of negative campaign drivel.

Further evidence of Rove’s handbook came with Weston’s high rating in the Maine Economic Research Institute propaganda report. The higher the rating on the MERI report the better you have learned your lessons from Rove’s propaganda book.

Gov. John Baldacci has had some difficult problems to solve – some of which he inherited. Problem solving involves a process. First we define the problem then we gather facts and implement a solution based on those facts. If the solution does not work then we go back to the drawing board and try another approach or modify our first solution. It’s a process – Weston should know this. A process takes time and flexibility – not propaganda.

Name-calling is easy to do but indicates a certain baseness which is not necessary. If Weston believes what she writes then she should stick to the facts and not characterize her political opponents as being involved in “dirty works.” She may believe she is in a tough battle in this election and that she must use this tactic – I hope not. District 23 and the state of Maine deserve better.

Mary Ford Gray

Belfast