I read, with dismay, the Associated Press story in the Sun Journal (Nov. 15) in which Mitt Romney accused President Obama of using gifts to purchase votes. Even at this stage, Romney and the rest of the Republican syndicate are grasping straws to explain their losses.

Either they are incredibly naive or hopelessly mindless in their assessment.

As a lifelong 73-year-old Republican, I offer Romney, sniveling John McCain and the rest of their self-serving cohorts my observations.

Following 2008, Republicans clearly stated their primary agenda: “Make certain that Obama was a one-term president.” They tried desperately, realizing that goal, rendering Congress as worthless as a wart on a hemorrhoid, through a level of gridlock unprecedented in the history of this country. Republicans arrogantly ignored responsibilities as representatives of the American people, rather than party self-interests.

Fortunately, American voters remembered.

Romney lost the election, and many voters, when a taped conference exposed his true character and intent by essentially declaring “to hell” with virtually half the nation’s population. Despite desperate media and party balderdash aimed at softening the faux pas committed by their Don Quixote, it failed. Fortunately, American voters remembered and simply said “to hell” with you, Romney.

As a party, Republicans must regroup, finally realizing that Americans are not dimwits.

We lost. Suck it up and get on representing the people, rather than assigning blame. Otherwise, “government of the people, by the people and for the people” is little more than an elusive force.

Roger Turcotte, Lewiston