Creating a Ruckus Edition

June 2, 2008

Maven has apparently caused only a wee ruckus by complaining about negative mailers. After writing about a huge string of anti-Nation mailers, there was an anti-Leno television ad and a mailer that has caused quite a stir.

I thought I made it real clear that I object to all attack ads regardless of who they are from. Just because they have been shown to work, doesn’t mean you have to employ them. Just because your opponent “started it” doesn’t mean you have to join in.

My post was based on the stack of ads we received in our mailbox. Apparently, there have been more anti-Leno ads out there that I didn’t receive. After I posted, I received one print and saw the television ad that was funded by PG&E and the San Francisco Police Officers association.

I have to clarify my opposition to negative ads. It is okay and fair to bring up voting records of your opponent, but it is not cool to call names like “corporate tool”, “republican lite” or allege motivation on one’s vote (ie. hate education, naked ambition for office or chairmanship).

If a candidate gets attacked they shouldn’t simply sit on their hands, but they should still keep the high ground especially if their campaign is based on change from the way things are done. Offer real information in regards to votes and why you voted that way. The noblest legislation can be rendered weak or even dangerous through amendments. One can make their opponant look satan-like by saying they voted against the “Be Kind to Puppies Act of 2008″ without saying that with amendments added in committee the “Be Kind to Puppies Act of 2008″ isn’t going to help or be kind to puppies at all.

Leno and Nation have real differences they could explore like health care, education spending, and whether to have carbon cap and trade or carbon taxes. Those mailers could have gone into more depth into why each vision is the best for our district. The proper way to respond to unfair charges is not counter-unfair charges, but real information, clarification, and explanation. Mailers if they are used at all should educate the voter.