Hot Topic: Ayotte is smearing ambassador’s reputation

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The “Monitor” has received a slew of letters from readers critical of Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s role in questioning U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice about her statements following the attack in Libya. Here’s a sampling:

Embarrassed

My husband and I are traveling across this beautiful country as I write, meeting fellow travelers from all over the United States and the world. Once again I find myself apologizing for the behavior of a New Hampshire elected official, since Sen. Kelly Ayotte has chosen to cast her lot with the two angry white men of the Senate.

In answering the oft asked question of why they are doing what they’re doing, one explanation I have offered is that all three thought they’d be looking at Cabinet appointments in Mitt Romney’s administration: State, Defense and attorney general. But alas, that ship has not just sailed; it has sunk. The other motivation is the GOP’s agenda to pressure the White House into nominating Sen. John Kerry for secretary of state, providing an opportunity for Scott Brown to again run for senator from Massachusetts and thereby change the GOP strength in the Senate. In either case, these senators’ actions reflect either personal vindictiveness or a continuation of obstructionist policies that continue to hold our nation hostage.

BARBARA LAVERICK

Wolfeboro

Stand down, Senator

Poor Sen. Kelly Ayotte. First she spends a good part of the past two years as Mitt Romney’s surrogate, promoting his failure of ideas. Now she is standing beside Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, asking us to believe the worst about the White House and, in particular, Susan Rice, with regard to the Benghazi tragedy. She is backing the wrong horse again.

Please stand down, Sen. Ayotte. We don’t need this. Rather, please get to work on bills about jobs, the deficit, taxes, energy, entitlements – something that will benefit the country and not advance some political agenda.

As a state and as a nation we have chosen President Obama’s policies over those of the Republicans. It is time to move on and do the people’s business. No more gridlock, no more loyal opposition for political gain – we are tired of this. If you want to be our senator again in 2016, you should take your cue from our senior senator and deport yourself accordingly; she is clearly working for the residents of New Hampshire. Then again, if you are running for a different political office in 2016, then keep making noise. Good luck with that.

JACK SHIELDS

Penacook

Poor judgment

I watched New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte serve as the moderator in a question-and-answer session at the Foreign Policy initiative summit. It was broadcast on C-SPAN.

Was this the proper role for a New Hampshire senator? It was not. She portrayed nothing more than a media personality pursuing a news career. She offered no guidance on foreign policy; Sen. Joe Lieberman did all the talking. Ayotte simply read questions submitted from the audience.

I’m pretty disappointed in the role and judgment of the junior senator from New Hampshire. I’m expecting her to better use her time in Washington representing New Hampshire.

KEVIN HANLON

Weare

Sen. Annoyance

Sen. Kelly Ayotte seems to have adjusted to the GOP quite easily: red dress at photo ops, center stage at the Republican convention, standing behind someone who did not want to open up a new restaurant because of Obamacare benefits, available for most any photo op.

Now, she is standing with Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham in their push for congressional action on the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, while attempting to smear the reputation of Ambassador Susan Rice.

When she gave the weekly GOP address, she said power-sharing is an opportunity, not an obstacle. She noted how President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Tip O’Neill bridged their differences to save Social Security. How ironic, today, that they are trying to destroy it.

Maybe a more appropriate name would be Sen. Kelly Annoyance.

TOM ARMSTRONG

Wilmot

Racist dog whistles

Sen. Kelly Ayotte told Megyn Kelly of Fox News that her attacks on U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice are not race-based.

Ayotte worked with former governor John H. Sununu on Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, and many believe Sununu engaged in racist dog whistles, calling President Obama lazy, not very bright and un-American.

Ayotte never objected to Sununu’s disgusting behavior toward Obama. She should do that now. Ayotte should tell New Hampshire children that using racist dog whistles for political advantage is unacceptable and disgusting.

BOB JEAN

Northwood