David Brooks strikes at the heart of the Republican Party's problem in his Jan. 30 column "Create a Second GOP." But instead of a second GOP, how about a return to the one that existed during the time of Eisenhower or even Nixon, if we can separate the latter from his disturbing paranoia? One that is concerned with the environment and ballooning "defense" spending, one that does not go out of its way to demonize unions and intellectuals. One not beholden to the religious right or the Tea Partiers. By catering to the elements of reaction, the current Republican Party has lost voters like me who value political prudence.

Mr. Brooks wonders, "Who's going to build a second GOP?" It is a question late in the asking, because many of the probable builders have already defected from the Republicans out of disgust and exhaustion.

NICHOLAS SAUER
Hampton