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| Can you spot the whore? Is there more than one? |
People who oppose "negative" political ads aren't thinking the issue through.
Consider, for example, federal securities laws. People trying to sell you stock in their company must disclose the negative aspects of their companies -- the risk factors -- so you can make an informed decision, with your eyes wide open.
Taking another example, if you buy a car, new or used, it would be nice to know if it's one that blows up (Pinto), flips over (Corvair, Bronco II), and/or gallops off (Toyota).
How about drugs? You know why they reel off all the horrible things that can happen to you during the commercials for those delightful pills? Because you need to know.
Same thing with the Surgeon General's warning on that pack of smokes.
So why in the world would we want to close our eyes to the negative facts about a candidate who wants to become governor, senator, mayor or whatever? If they have a terrible track record, we need to know. If they have lied, we need to know. If they have taken contradictory positions on an issue, it's not rude to point that out, it's helpful.
Bottom line: Negative is good, negative is important, negative is essential
Good column, Walter. (Possible contraindications: Rob Marinko is a friend of Walter Moore. They have dined and socialized together. Furthermore, Rob and his wife have donated to Walter's Mayoral campaign. As a former radio "personality," Rob is known to enhance his particular viewpoint to elicit a particular reaction from those listening. Also, Rob has been known to generously use what's known as a tongue-in-cheek style that may not accurately represent his actual stand on a particular subject. All of the above should be known to the reader in order that Rob's comment about the above column is considered in the proper context. Reading Rob's views sometimes causes loose stools and greasy discharge).
ReplyDeleteI'll say this about you, Rob: You do NOT cause drowsiness!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the voters in this state are about put Moonbeam back in the Governor's office. I thought he was gone and forgotten. Just another bad memory.
ReplyDeleteNo such luck. Less than three months from now...HE'S BACK!
Bad enough with Villar as Mayor. Now Moonbeam will be Governor again. Can it get any worse?
Anonymous, the answer to your question: Yes, Brown could become unable to complete his term and we could wind up with Gavin Newsom.
ReplyDeleteNegative disclosures can work, this has been proven. But not to the point where it digresses to the point of distraction. It will result in degrading our political system to the choice of two evils, which is where it all seems to wind up. Our votes become more of a crapshoot than our true voice. It's no longer about the best person for the job, but the one who will inflict the least amount of disaster and mayhem on the population. What a choice!
ReplyDeleteThat's not a problem with the ads.
ReplyDeleteThat's a problem with the parties, the people and the candidates.
If Crusty wins and 23 loses... Well Get U-Haul on speed dial just in case!
ReplyDeleteHave there ever been two UGLIER candidates in a governor race? Brown looks frail and Whitman looks matronly and worn out.
ReplyDeleteDoes being rich do that to you?
That does it, its Chaelene Nightengale, even if she can't win.
ReplyDelete