Editor, Gazette-Journal:

“Lying Ted,” “Little Mario,” “Crooked Hillary,” “Goofy Pocahontas,” etc. One of our presidential hopefuls decided that in this year 2016 he would play the adult game of politics in an elementary schoolyard setting.

The success of his campaign at this point indicates that environment is where he is most comfortable. And one of our major parties apparently agrees with the strategy—at least by default. We do not hear the usual references to Ronald Reagan much this year because the current frontrunner is the absolute antithesis of Reagan. The party has compromised its principles and, in doing so, has lost its way.

Our democracy has succeeded using a two major party system, with openings for others who have a cause. When I see recognized leaders of one party showing their disdain for their candidate by rejecting an invitation to the convention, I say: What?! Is that leadership? Being a no-show hardly can be co...