If the last two years of Republican debacle aren’t enough, Rove is now telling my GOP how to win against the Democrats? (Article, “Rove outlines plan to beat top ’08 Dems,” Jan. 17.)

The GOP is in complete disarray because of the last two years of inept strategy and advice. We don’t need any more, thank you.

Spending went out of control. We didn’t develop our own energy resources and remain at the complete mercy of terror-supporting countries for our oil. Corporate greed and corruption continue to run unchecked and my country is being mortgaged to foreign nations, many committed to our destruction.

Political correctness continues to run amok and the First Amendment is being destroyed. Billions of my tax dollars continue to reward millions of illegal aliens by providing freebies and benefits not even available to American citizens.

The borders remain open and my government continues to pursue amnesty.

This is just the tip of the iceberg and I assume Karl Rove had a lot to do with it. We simply do not need any more advice from Mr. Rove.

We truly need change — not socialist Democratic change, but real conservative change, and Rove isn’t going to provide it.

Springerville, Ariz.

McConnell has viable opponent in Horne

From Jonathan Morgenstein

In the article “Whoever wins Saturday’s Nevada caucus, Sen. Harry Reid could take the jackpot” (Jan. 18), The Hill wrote, “The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has piled criticism on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is facing reelection this year, even though a Democratic opponent has yet to emerge.” This is manifestly untrue.

Louisville, Ky., native Andrew Horne, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel who served in both the first Gulf War and the current war in Iraq has declared his candidacy to challenge Sen. McConnell.

Although the minority leader is well financed, polls indicate he is not extraordinarily popular across Kentucky.

Having served with Lt. Col. Horne in Iraq, I am convinced that in this case, a man with drive, integrity and ideas like Mr. Horne can definitely pull off an upset like Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) did two years ago against a much more popular incumbent, George Allen.

As the Louisville paper, The Courier-Journal, put it, Andrew Horne “would be a credible alternative to the incumbent.”

Arlington, Va.