(Regarding article “Clinton campaign: Obama is violating Florida ban,” Jan. 21.) It is disingenuous for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign to complain about Sen. Barack Obama’s violation of party rules when Clinton supporters such as Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) take advantage of her refusal to withdraw from the Michigan primary by claiming on MSNBC that she “won” in Michigan.

As a former Democratic legislative fellow I am among many women who want to be proud of women in Congress. I was ashamed of Nita Lowey’s willingness to blatantly proffer an essentially dishonest claim on an MSNBC interview that Clinton (D-N.Y.) “won” in Michigan. It is simply not possible that Nita Lowey did not know that both Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and Obama (D-Ill.) supported the Democratic Party by withdrawing their names from the ticket and by refusing to list themselves as write-in candidates.

As a potential supporter I remained willing to suspend disbelief and accept Clinton’s awkward reasoning for why, while her opponents respected the Democratic rules, Clinton chose not to and instead left her name on that primary ballot. In hearing Nita Lowey play fast and loose with the facts so as to exploit that difference to Hillary’s advantage I was disgusted. Clinton should not need for supporters to twist the truth to make her seem more likeable or electable — especially while her campaign complains that Obama is campaigning in Florida.

— Berkeley Heights, N.J.

Seeing sexism

From Anita Christensen

(Regarding article “Clinton, Obama throw sharpest elbows yet at debate,” Jan. 21.) It was obvious to anyone watching the debate that Sen. Barack Obama was the first to make a nasty remark directed at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and she responded accordingly. Yet, anyone reading your coverage would think Hillary attacked Obama. Are you reporting what you want your readers to think happened or the reality of what actually happened? It’s exactly this type of reporting that is driving women to vote for Hillary. No matter what the media may tell us, we are very capable of discerning with our own eyes and ears when the media is ganging up on a woman. You guys just don’t get it.

— Layton, Utah

Where’s my health card?

From Florence Jones

In reference to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s recent dismissal of the importance of the work of Martin Luther King and her remark that “it took a president to get it done” makes me very cautious about her presidential aspirations.

If, as she stated, “It takes a president,” why then did she and Bill Clinton fail so miserably at crafting healthcare reform?

If her 35 years of service that she claims hasn’t yet produced any sort of improvement in healthcare, what makes her think four more years will do the trick? President Clinton waved a health card in the air and promised us we all have one.

Hey, Bill — it’s been 16 years. Where’s my health card?

— Riverside, Calif.

A stimulating stimulus

From Judith Werner

(Regarding tax rebates proposed as part of the economic stimulus package.) I want the same deal the people of Iraq have — every person receives $10 a day.

$3,650.00 a year.

A much better deal.

— Toledo, Ohio