Negative politics erodes the trust of voters

Bad news is known to travel faster than good.

Maybe that is why so many political candidates neglect the opportunity to speak well about themselves and their plans for the future. Instead, candidates, both Democrat and Republican, jump on the “slam your opponent” soapbox.

It used to be only the underdog in a political race would stoop to negative campaign ads. Now frontrunners (incumbents) have put their records, and a good portion of integrity, aside to participate.

Poll numbers prove it works. Evidently, we like to hear gossip about other people. Therein lies the rub. No longer are voters being given the correct information they need to make an intelligent decision on a candidate. They are receiving “hearsay,” some subliminal, and accepting it as the truth.

It doesn’t help that registered voters don’t receive a copy of the Voters’ Guide in their mailboxes. Voters are asked to visit the Web site in the county where they reside to read about the candidates.

Many voters don’t have computers, or have a clue what to do with one at a public library. So they either vote party line or from the information they receive from political ads.

More than ever, candidates should accept the responsibility to deliver accurate information to the public. They should stand tall and decide to forego trashing their opponent.

Voters should attend candidate forums and political debates to educate themselves.

Many voters are choosing not to endorse the doctrine of a political party. When I hear negative ads from a candidate I respect, their record and perceived reliability are questioned. The other name on the ticket gets my interest.

Especially this week, when we learned negative campaigning had sunk to a new low, with one candidate paying to have his opponent followed with a video camera during every scheduled engagement (see news story page A1).

Rather than producing videotape that promotes themselves and their platform, energy is wasted putting together out-of-context clips against an opponent.

It is not only a waste of energy; it’s a waste of the voters’ time to watch it. It is systemic within both major political parties.

Maybe it harkens back to the days when my parents corrected me: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Or better said, “don’t believe everything you hear.”

– Kelly Ruhoff

Editor