Michael Emery (letter, Aug. 3) wrote a successful rebuke of the commentary written by John Frary, former professor and congressional candidate. I agree with much of what Emery had to say, but think more was left unsaid. Frary and Gov. Paul LePage apparently care about provocation as a form of honesty, while completely ignoring those who may prefer tact and an ability to be persuasive.

Frary argues that LePage’s personal story is something to be respected and loved; don’t get me wrong, it is. That isn’t why people dislike LePage. He is honest, yes, but it is honesty without tact, without bipartisanship.

LePage had legitimate viewpoints to run on. He says he doesn’t care about the media, but he could be more “tolerable,” more “palatable” and more persuasive if he used the system rather than ignore it.

I see LePage not bending his own beliefs (that the media is a waste of time) to make his legitimate ideas more possible. He expends too much political capital by refusing to acknowledge that political capital is necessary.

I understand the need to remove excess government spending, but when the challenging of “the leviathan of governmental bureaucracy” is based upon partisan and rhetorically challenged phrasing and actions, I have a hard time respecting our governor.

A good manager is able to reconcile his own viewpoints with those he manages by making unpopular decisions tactfully. Instead, LePage insults opponents and is not open to listening to their opinions. He may be speaking honestly from his own heart, and by no means is LePage stupid, but it strikes me as poor management when he refuses to use tact with the media and instead his quotes read like a a bad rapper’s song stuck on repeat.

Michael Reinhard

Farmingdale