Last week the Republicans nominated Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as their candidates for president and vice president. This week, Democrats nominated Barack Obama and Joe Biden as their choices.
This means the race for the White House – and all the other political offices – shifts into high gear. Unfortunately, it also means voters will be bombarded by attack ads and untruths.
Despite what you may read and hear in the next few months, we doubt that the people running for office are ax murderers, child molesters or serial killers. OK, so they really won’t be accused of that, but much of what opponents say about them won’t be true, either.
It’s sad that negative advertising has become such a force in our elections, but studies say voters are swayed by such tactics. As a result, almost anything goes. But that doesn’t mean you have to be taken along for the ride.
Voters are served best when they seek out and understand what a candidate champions and what he or she says are his or her priorities if elected. If a candidate’s priorities align with yours, you may have someone you should support.
It’s also worthwhile – but it takes some work – to see what type of experience and/or background a candidate would bring to the job if elected. While there’s no guarantee that this makes for the best candidate, if can give a voter a feeling if the person is up to the task if elected.
How to ferret all of this out? The Reporter will help by publishing profiles about the local candidates, that include how they define the issues in the campaign and and how they would deal with them.
Voters also are helped by attending candidate forums to see first-hand how the candidates respond under pressure and if they are able to give the public a clear, concise answer to a question.
Finally, if birds of a feather flock together, look to see who is supporting the various candidates. Do these backers represent special interests. If so, are they your’s, too?
And finally, don’t believe everything you see in a TV political ad or what comes into your mailbox. Do your own homework – and vote what you decide.
– Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter
