Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004 | 9:07 a.m.
As one of the independent voters being courted by the major political parties, I watched the Republican National Convention with some interest.
The Republican candidate says he is running on a "compassionate" conservative philosophy. I wonder, however, what the mere conservatives really think of less fortunate Americans when they discuss issues related to them behind closed doors, when their speeches aren't tempered by the presence of national television cameras.
Overall, I was left with the impression that the Republican leaders are a mean-spirited bunch better suited to spewing insults and taunts than leading a nation to fulfill its potential.
JAMES WESTBROOK
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