So what if Dole made his public. That was his choice but to turn the matter into a political issue borders on a less-than-having-one's-head-on-straight syndrome.

The writer is certain that if Mr. Clinton had a condition that would result in his not being able to fulfill the duties of his office, it would have been public knowledge quite some time ago. Afterall, in the past few presidencies, the public has learned when any president had so much as a slight twinge, let alone a condition that might cause him to not be able to fulfill his duties.

Therefore, Dole had only one goal in mind. That was a goal of creating suspicion in people's minds that maybe President Clinton had a condition that was not completely socially acceptable, maybe even a sexually-transmitted disease. Otherwise, why would Mr. Clinton be reluctant to show his medical records. (His possible reasoning, not mine.)

Well, Dole, this writer can't speak for all Americans but your ploy showed extremely poor taste and, personally, it is inconceivable you would have to start relying on an issue that one never hears anyone out here in middle America discussing, except you and your few followers in the media.

Or, was some group, other than you and your party, pushing for knowledge of Mr. Clinton's medical records? Were public demands being made to Congress or state legislators that Mr. Clinton had better show his records prior to the time you decided it should be done?

This writer considers it far more privileged information than the situation your party protested vehemenently, that of the FBI files on leading Republicans. The public has not only the right in the writer's opinion, but should know the backgrounds of leading politicians.

But, do we need to know complete medical records in determining who is most probable to do the best job and best serve the public's interest? Not hardly! We only need to know overall state of his health.

As far as this writer is concerned, Dole has stepped way over the line of effective leadership, of common sense, of rational thinking, and has once again shown his inability to impress voters with his personal accomplishments and special plans of action.

Thus, with the immortal sign of displeasure, Dole is given another thumbs down to his being the best man to lead our nation into the 21st Century. We need people who can focus on major problems, not petty complaints.