Today’s Washington Post reports on the extent to which so-called negative campaigning is taking over as the days left in the 2007 campaign tick down:
In Virginia Beach, a Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates is blamed for giving convicted criminals “get-out-of-jail-free cards” while working for the state. In Danville, a Republican candidate is alleged to have been a leader in a national organization that wants to end Social Security.
And in Fairfax County, Republican Del. Timothy D. Hugo is accused of working for a lobbying firm that overcharged the government, represented abusers at Abu Ghraib prison and profited from the war in Iraq.
Many lawmakers from both parties agree that legislative races in Virginia have gotten far nastier this year than in previous years as candidates bombard potential voters with TV and radio ads and campaign literature in the final weeks before the Nov. 6 election.
“If someone wants to run against me on transportation or taxes, that’s fine,” said Hugo, who is running for reelection against Democrat Rex Simmons in the 40th District in western Fairfax. “In the past, we debated the issues. . . . These allegations cross a line of decency. I’m just appalled. Did I think it would stoop this low? No.”
Many candidates who are in office or have run before say they are shocked at how personal and vicious the attacks have been this year, accusing their opponents of outright lying in many cases or, at the very least, distorting the truth.
A few examples of what the Post is talking about:
In the 51st District of Prince William, Democratic House candidate Paul Nichols has accused Republican candidate Faisal M. Gill of running a law firm that helps illegal immigrants avoid deportation. Nichols’ campaign literature stated: “Faisal Gill: So wrong on everything we can’t even believe he’s running for office.”
Next door in the 50th District, which includes part of Prince William and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, Democratic House candidate Jeanette Rishell accused Republican Del. Jackson H. Miller of voting for driver fees that give a break to illegal immigrants. Miller fought back.
What’s the problem here ? Raising questions about your opponents record and where you differ on the issues is part of politics. As Harry Truman once said, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
