Nancy Pelosi and Hate — Letters that should have been in the new york times

12.8.19

To the editor:

As is often the case, President Trump's supporters use as a line of defense an accusation that more accurately applies to the President rather than his critics (Hating the word 'hate', Maureen Dowd, 12.8.19). While gender issues may have played a role in why Speaker Pelosi was asked if she 'hated' President Trump, I would suggest the power of her response - 'As a Catholic, I resent your using the word hate ...' - was not because she was like 'John Wayne, minus the racism and colonialism.' Rather, her response, in effect, transcended gender. She was speaking as a Catholic, embodying her faith and touching on a universal value for believers with unquestionable authenticity. This stands in stark contrast to President Trump where faith is a political calculus to his conservative base rather than an embodiment of religious values.

Respectfully submitted

Larry S Sandberg