With any luck, the last 16 days of these local campaigns will go smoothly, without another ugly “hit piece” like the one that was recently directed at Olympia mayoral candidate Stephen Buxbaum or any more whispered personal attacks like those aimed at Olympia City Council incumbent Rhenda Strub.
We should give thanks for that.
By comparison to the hysterical polarization that has the national political system in handcuffs, and the meanness being displayed by the gang of Republican presidential candidates towards each other, our municipal contenders seem downright civil, if not friendly.
None of us are naive about dirty politics anymore. There have always been those who try to win elections, or public favor, by demonizing their opponents rather than on the merits of their own positions.
We see that sort of thing every presidential election year. George W. Bush undercut John McCain in 2000. John Kerry got “swiftboated” in 2004. Barack Obama’s citizenship was questioned. Mitt Romney’s religion has become an issue.
Mudslinging has always played a big role on the national scene. In the 1800s, Thomas Jefferson was called an “infidel” and an “unbeliever.” He was depicted as a drunken anarchist. The president of Yale University said if Jefferson got elected, “we may see our wives and daughters the victims of legal prostitution.”
The newspaper that eventually became the Hartford Courant said a Jefferson presidency would result in “murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest” openly taught and practiced.
John Quincy Adams’ opponents accused him of “pimping” for the czar of Russia.
Negative campaigning was used on John F. Kennedy in 1960 when his opponents suggested that a “Protestant” America should not elect a Roman Catholic. Those of us old enough to remember will not recall Kennedy’s opponents attacking his loyalty or calling him anti-American.
And yet, the Kennedy breakthrough in the early 1960s ultimately preceded a violent period in our nation’s history, the assassinations of three great and promising leaders – JFK, RFK and MLK.
Running campaigns designed to divide and polarize the electorate – as we are seeing now as a precursor to the 2012 race for the White House – just cements partisan ideologies. That may help solidify the support of those who can’t think beyond party lines, but it doesn’t move us toward solving our problems. It might get someone elected, but it doesn’t put country before party.
Let’s be glad this year’s city politics haven’t taken this direction.
ET CETERA
How about some good news? According to Medrice Coluccio, CEO, Providence Health & Services, Southwest Washington Service Area, the health care system has successfully helped all but 20 of the recently terminated Providence St. Peter Hospital workers find new jobs … Want to help local budding musicians and support clean water humanitarian projects in Africa? Then attend the 10th annual Cool Jazz Clean Water wine-tasting event from 7 to 10 p.m., Nov. 19. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Sponsored by Olympia Rotary, the charity raises money for new band instruments and collects used ones for local schools … The City of Olympia is seeking local artists to adorn the improvements to the artesian well that will start Oct. 24. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15 … The Olympia Film Society has a new mural on the east side of its building, painted by Arthur Crews.
George Le Masurier, publisher of The Olympian, can be reached at 360-357-0206 or glemasurier@theolympian.com.
