Re “GOP leaders still puzzle over president’’ (Page A1, Aug. 27): By now, you’d think it wasn’t possible to be astonished by the eternal optimism of the chronically gullible, but then here’s Doyle Webb, chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party, talking about Donald Trump: “I see him maturing in the office and maybe continuing to mature.’’

The man’s been essentially stuck at the age of 12 for 59 years; he’s not likely to start growing up now. I know, stranger things have happened, but I wouldn’t put any money on it.

Martin Graetz

Acton