LETTER: Integrity in campaigns
Published: October 24, 2009
I am appalled to learn that unprofessional campaign tactics occur in my own backyard. Candidate Rich Anderson, who is running against incumbent Del. Paul Nichols in the 51st District House of
Delegates race, has exhibited campaign behavior unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
The events in this race have demonstrated to me how low the GOP has sunk if they support a candidate who resorts to hitting below the belt to win a race. The Republican Party in Prince William County
is certainly not promoting the values and integrity of one of its main founders — Abraham Lincoln. I am certain that honest Abe would proclaim the campaign strategy of Rich Anderson to be in poor taste
and not reflecting the true values of the Grand Old Party.
There is only one candidate in this year’s 51st District Virginia House of Delegates race who will work hard to provide hope for a brighter tomorrow in Prince William County. There is only one candidate
who will listen to the concerns of 51st District voters. He will work hard to address those issues for the benefit of all residents in the 51st District. There is only one candidate in this race who addresses
the issues at his Web site, in his mailers and during debates.
There is only one candidate that I trust to work hard and do a great job to address my concerns as a resident in the 51st District of Prince William County. That candidate is Del. Paul Nichols. If you want
results and a brighter tomorrow, Del. Paul Nichols is the right choice to make at the polls on Nov. 3.
SHEILA KOESTER
Woodbridge
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Reader Reactions
“The events in this race have demonstrated to me how low the GOP has sunk if they support a candidate who resorts to hitting below the belt to win a race.“
So this is news? While I totally agree with Ms. Koester that Anderson’s campaign has been hitting below the belt; for the GOP it’s pretty mild. Compare it to the 2002 campaign against former senator Max Clellan, or the 2004 swiftboating of Sen John Kerry. In fact, you might even want to look at the way then-Gov G.W. Bush went after Sen John McCain in the primaries.
Just a few prominent examples. We could also look at the way the Bush administration (Karl Rove, AGs)took down former Alabama Democratic Governor Don Siegelman, using the Department of Justice for political purposes.
We could go on, and on, and on.
Sora Dina,
All you need do is read some history books to see what politicians have been saying about each other since 1789.
I have been eligible to vote & have voted for the past 52 years.
I am an Independent. I have never voted in a primary election, nor have I ever given a second of my time or a penny of my money to any candidate or party.
Hey Bob (GP) what was it about the “flier” you didn’t like? Was it the reference to your comment on incest sometimes being voluntary? Perhaps it was a reference to your talk of “death panels” long after your mentor and intellectual wellspring Charles Krauthammer disavowed them and said to continue to talk of them “debased the debate”(aug 21 article a month before Bob mentioned them at the PWC100 debate).
The only thing despicable about this campaign is the extent to which Marshall out of touch and how little respect he has women, and for the rights of minorities and gays.
Willow:
Don’t forget the Hazi’s:
If you tell a lie long enough, the people will believe it.
Willow703,
I have volunteered on some Republican campaigns for office in the 1970s and not once during any of the campaigns I was a volunteer for did I see any mailers being sent out to homes similar to the one Rich Anderson sent out recently in the race for Delegate representing the 51st District.
I am assuming that you were a volunteer for all the political campaigns conducted since the beginning of our republic to be so certain that previous political campaigns have sent out campaign literature with someone’s personal information on it.
Since I wasn’t around to volunteer on all the political campaigns since the beginning of the republic I can only relate to previous political campaigns that I have volunteered for—both Republican and Democratic. As far as I am aware none of these campaigns sent out literature similar to Rich Anderson’s mailergate flyer.
Apparently, Ms.Koester is blissfully naive to the tactics of Democrat John Bell’s campaign and their fliers.
Democrat John Bell’s recent despicable campaign flier with its false attacks,and Delegate Bob Marshall’s flier stating his legislative actions and plans for Virginia will be used as a compare and contrast piece in a political science class on how one campaign(John Bell)chose the negative campaign route in comparison to Delegate Bob Marshall’s campaign of legislative actions and plans.
I’m appalled that Ms. Koester is unaware that political campaigns have been conducted this way since the beginning of our republic.
I’m also appalled that citizens have not demanded the criminalization of false political advertising. We must do this ourselves, politicians will never surrender their ability to lie their way into office.
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