Editor:

Now that Cynthia Lummis has been properly chastised for her could-have-been-expected blunder, perhaps we could get both Lummis and her opponent, Gary Trauner, to engage in meaningful comments.

How about answering some relevant questions?

Do Lummis and Trauner support the George W. Bush doctrine of global democratization? Bush doctrine: "  we have begun a world democratic revolution that will continue until all the despotisms of the Middle East are overthrown and replaced by democracies." (Quotation taken from the book, "Where the Right Went Wrong," by Patrick J. Buchanan.)

Preemptive warfare: Bush doctrine: "No nation will be permitted, ever again, to rise to a position of power to where it can challenge the United States, global or regionally."

Or do she and Trauner support the admonitions of George Washington that other presidents have followed the past 221 years? George Washington's farewell address can be found in many sources. Refresh your memory.

This is important: under Bush we have changed a 200-year course and the results have not been particularly good.

Next: Off-shore drilling and any other drilling for petroleum products only lengthens the time of our energy problem; it does not solve it. Trauner does have some information and ideas ("American energy for the American people," Casper Star-Tribune, Saturday, Aug. 30).

Lummis? We don't know. Lummis apparently is under pressure to fall in line with Sen. John McCain's program, since her remarks at the Republican National Convention were to be edited for McCain's benefit ("Lummis will address Republican convention," Casper Star-Tribune, Aug. 30). I am sure all the residents of the state are more interested in Lummis' ideas.

Next: Economics. Free trade and outsourcing to foreign countries are among causes effecting our present economic problems.

What else? A lot. Do the candidates have any ideas for solutions?

Credit due: Lummis' gaff was good, though. After all, she managed to insult just about 50 percent of the residents of Wyoming. And, of course, her comment also insulted the intelligence of about 50 percent of the state legislators, and about 50 percent of the present congressional delegation, too. Not bad.

TOM BISHOP, Atlantic City