To the editor:

Scott Rothschild’s Sept. 12 article titled “Leaked memo details strategy” implies that the often unpleasant reality of political fundraising is pursued by far-right Republicans, and in particular Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, with a callous tenacity unmatched by other parties and candidates.

This is an unfair portrayal, as the political lust for money is a systemwide condition brought on, in part, by the seemingly absolute necessity for more media attention than his/her rivals in order to win elections. If a candidate doesn’t have personal wealth to draw upon, he/she has no choice but to plan his/her scheduled appearances in order to maximize the amount of contributed money brought in.

Substantial campaign finance reform, from the local to national levels, is required to have any impact here. Until then, we will continue to see displays from most candidates similar to Kline’s “preaching” for money. While there are many reasons not to vote for Phill Kline in the coming general elections, this isn’t one of them.

Marcel Harmon,

Lawrence