Letter: Presidential race a sad display by all

The current state of presidential politics is a rather sad and dismal affair.

The vituperative personal attacks between the Republican candidates is, at best, disheartening and, at worst, self-destructive. The attacks are all the more unfathomable given the target-rich environment provided by the two Democratic front-runners.

The second-tier Democrat exudes all of the charm of a stooped, bitter, world-weary Brooklyn pawnbroker railing against the perceived ills of a country that for a century has rejected his notion of a Marxist, socialist utopia.

The leading Democrat projects the image of a power-crazed, unprincipled harridan engaged in a political version of liar's poker. Listening to the presumptive nominee drone on in a flat monotone with all of the feigned conviction of a fish monger's wife calling out the daily catch is a painful exercise in self-abuse.

Sadly, the Republicans have a slightly different version of Bill Clinton's bimbo eruptions. Erupting on the scene like a facial blemish on prom night is Sarah Palin. Ms. Palin's frenzied, sophomoric endorsement of Donald Trump sounded hideously reminiscent of a high school pep rally lacking only the call for more school spirit.

Come back, Mitt Romney, wherever you are!

Kenneth H. Sailley

This story was originally published January 24, 2016 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Letter: Presidential race a sad display by all."