Regarding the Feb. 1 cartoon depicting Christine Todd Whitman being lynched for writing, "It's My Party Too":

The same page carried a letter about Rep. Howard Coble calling for American withdrawal from Iraq.

I applaud these two courageous Republicans for refusing to march in lockstep with their ultra-conservative leaders. These moderates, who represent the rational center of the GOP, may be our greatest hope for keeping this country from drifting too far right.

Bush's budget deficit is approaching a trillion dollars, polluters are raping our environment, fear and divisiveness predominate. His administration's unabashed support of corporate interests leaves average Americans feeling vulnerable; if government sides with the "big boys," who is left to protect us "little guys"?

The moderates, that's who. Glad they come in both colors: red and blue. But instead of complaining about being excluded, they should take a bolder step: Leave the Republican Party to the neocon fringe, and join forces with moderate Democrats with whom they are more closely aligned.

The new "Purple Party" (blue + red) would far outnumber its obsolete predecessors, which would eventually grow powerless -- not from opposition but mutiny. This could be how America saves herself from ruin, disgrace and the neocons' coup.

Valerie Putney
Greensboro