Post by richardkelsey on Oct 30, 2007 16:04:21 GMT -5
In 2003, I ran for a county-wide seat in Arlington Virginia. Arlington is not merely a heavy democrat town, but no person running as a Republican has won their in 35 years, running for County Board. It is run by an all democrat Board of County supervisors.
These are sophisticated, well-accomplished, hard core democrats.
In our race -- 4 candidates ran for two seats. Their was one republican -- me -- one independent, a former democrat and Bill Clinton state-wide campaign official, and two democrat incumbents. In essence, it was one person running from the left as an independent, two incumbents, and me.
We had 18 debates. To the credit of my opponents -- they showed up for every debate, in every forum. Some were even hostile to them, while most we extra-ordinarily hostile to me.
I saw every staged trick, and every partisan game you can think off. And these folks had no shot, really, of losing.
They showed up. They showed up even after being literally crushed in debates. (Not I disagreeessment -- that was the assessment of every newspaper.)
When the election was over -- and it was a bruiser -- I showed up for public comment and congratulated the incumbents. I let them know that I was there to make them answer questions they need not address publicly 10 months out of every year. I told them someone had to run to insure that democracy was not dead, and that the unrepresented had a platform.
They understood that -- and that is why they had the courage to show up and debate.
It would have been unheard of -- and unaccepted had they not shown up. Even their own supporters never would have permitted a white-wash. They may hate republicans -- and I do mean hate them -- but they at least respect the process.
It is absolutely absurd that any town -- anywhere -- will have a contested election and the incumbents can't be made to stand up and take questions.
If the three dem candidates in Freehold have no respect for the voters, at least show some respect for themselves. Step-up and answer a question or two.
These are sophisticated, well-accomplished, hard core democrats.
In our race -- 4 candidates ran for two seats. Their was one republican -- me -- one independent, a former democrat and Bill Clinton state-wide campaign official, and two democrat incumbents. In essence, it was one person running from the left as an independent, two incumbents, and me.
We had 18 debates. To the credit of my opponents -- they showed up for every debate, in every forum. Some were even hostile to them, while most we extra-ordinarily hostile to me.
I saw every staged trick, and every partisan game you can think off. And these folks had no shot, really, of losing.
They showed up. They showed up even after being literally crushed in debates. (Not I disagreeessment -- that was the assessment of every newspaper.)
When the election was over -- and it was a bruiser -- I showed up for public comment and congratulated the incumbents. I let them know that I was there to make them answer questions they need not address publicly 10 months out of every year. I told them someone had to run to insure that democracy was not dead, and that the unrepresented had a platform.
They understood that -- and that is why they had the courage to show up and debate.
It would have been unheard of -- and unaccepted had they not shown up. Even their own supporters never would have permitted a white-wash. They may hate republicans -- and I do mean hate them -- but they at least respect the process.
It is absolutely absurd that any town -- anywhere -- will have a contested election and the incumbents can't be made to stand up and take questions.
If the three dem candidates in Freehold have no respect for the voters, at least show some respect for themselves. Step-up and answer a question or two.