Sir, – In your editorial "The outsider election" (February 11th), you refer to "the challenge for mainstream Republicans to find an alternative to Trump". There is hope the challenge can succeed, and it is found in the numbers behind the headlines. In the Iowa caucuses, 75.7 per cent of Republican voters opposed Donald Trump by selecting other candidates. In New Hampshire, despite coming in first, Mr Trump was opposed by 64.9 per cent of Republican voters.
The remaining centrist candidates for the Republican nomination must now take stock of a harsh reality. If the sensible-centre remains divided, Mr Trump could win the nomination in a fractured field.
The party and ultimately the US need someone who is capable of adult maturity, and not someone who performs like an over-caffeinated buffoon. – Yours, etc,
DAN DONOVAN,
Dungarvan, Co Waterford.