Letters to the editor for Saturday, Nov. 8

With the news that the race for U.S. Senate between Norm Coleman and Al Franken has narrowed to less than 250 votes, I suggest they settle it the way kids sometimes do: paper, rock, scissors.

What better way to show some goodwill after a bitterly fought campaign?

JOHN STILES, OAKDALE

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If Norm Coleman were in Al Franken's place and trailed by such a small margin, he would be screaming to high heaven for a recount.

LARRY PIERSON, ELK RIVER

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BARB CARLSON, SHOREVIEW

Both presidential candidates were careless with the truth, portraying his opponent or his positions in unfair or untruthful ways. But clearly the McCain campaign tactics went beyond mere misrepresentation of "facts." It was reckless, malicious and harmful, not just to Barack Obama but to many others along the way.

I wonder if the people who fueled the Straight Talk Express have learned anything that will make it less likely that voters will have to endure another drive-by, shoot-em-up election like this one has been.

McCain made a marvelously gracious concession speech. If he had been that gracious during the campaign, he might have won.

JAMES RAPP, EAU CLAIRE, WIS.

I was a strong supporter of the McCain-Palin ticket. I was proud of how it handled the daily media meat-grinder with such grace.

I consider John McCain the most honorable and deserving presidential candidate of my lifetime, a strong statement considering my first vote of president was cast for Ronald Reagan. In addition, I could not be more proud of supporting Sarah Palin. It was refreshing to see such a genuine person reach the highest levels of politics.

That said, I feel a strong sense of pride that our next president is Barack Obama. As a conservative Republican, I dare say this is long overdue. This historic event will open the door for Americans of all races to dream, set higher goals and achieve beyond what they thought possible in the past.

LANCE KULBERG, APPLE VALLEY

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These are all Republicans, and their comments were representative of the pure joy that was expressed both in this country and throughout the world over Obama's incredible victory.

In stark contrast to this positive outpouring, Katherine Kersten in her Nov. 5 column called for "conservatives to mount a new insurgency." As if that were not enough, she went on to say that, "despite their vague promises of 'hope' and 'change,' big government enthusiasts are sooner or later revealed as emperors who have no clothes."

These comments by Kersten about Obama, only one day after the election, are irresponsible, inflammatory and utterly unfair. They reinforce the view of many of your readers -- that she is a narrow-minded ideologue who continues to churn out partisan right-wing blather, rather than intelligent analysis and commentary.

CHARLES BERQUIST, WEST ST. PAUL

So Northwest/Delta dropped its fares to Chicago Midway more than $200 after hearing Southwest Airlines' pricing plan (Star Tribune, Nov. 7). It can afford to do that? That means it was either making unholy profits before -- which we know isn't true -- or it will take a terrible loss each flight, resting smugly on the fact that good Minnesotans will bail them out if they go bankrupt again.