[Vision2020] Why I didn't vote for Brady

Kai Eiselein, editor editor at lataheagle.com
Mon Jan 15 14:33:39 PST 2007 

Sue, in journalism there are generally three walls that separate divisions.
news, editorial and advertising. I very very rarely deal with advertising
and I rarely deal with anything on the editorial page. I deal with news.
I leave advertising to our ad manager and editorial content to our editorial
page editor. I only occasionaly poke into editorail when there is a question
about an issue. I generally don't read the editorail page or letters to the
editor until after the paper is printed, in part because I don't want
other's opinions to possibly bias my reporting, especially on hot button
issues.
As I see it, there's not a whole lot than can be done about political
advertising. All sides engage in negative attack ads to try to play on
voters' fears (gut reaction). This is nothing new, take a look back at the
1800's and you'll see some real mudslinging.
If we could trust candidates to stand by the words they utter during
campaign season, we wouldn't have to hash out other methods of trying to
decide who to vote for. The best bet is the old adage "Buyer beware"
My only experience with campaigning (Other than stumping for Hart way back
when) was one term as a student senator in college.
All of the other candidates were making all these goofy promises. I said I
wassn't sure what could be done by the senate on many issues, but I was
willing to listen and do what I could.  When asked why I wanted to be a
senator, I answered that I wanted the scholarship and credits that came with
the office. I recieved 98% of the vote. No signs, no goofy slogans. Just
flat out brutal honesty.
I learned a lot about parlimentary procedure, was able to help a few
students and we did accomplish a few things, including choosing the site
where the new college campus would be built.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]On Behalf Of Sue Hovey
  Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 1:22 PM
  To: Kai Eiselein; vision2020 at moscow.com
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Why I didn't vote for Brady


  Well,  I appreciate your promise not to run for office, and you did
generate some interesting discussion with your "limp handshake" piece.
Folks, including myself, tend to bandy around the terms "liberal" and "
conservative" a little too freely, I think.  In most cases, I would hope,
it's the issue that determines our stance, and not some sort of group
orientation.

  Interesting your perspective on political advertising. Those of us who
work with local and state candidates feel we cannot afford not to do it even
though it takes most of our campaign budget. And we do try to choose the
words that give the reader a sense of who a candidate is and what she stands
for.

  Given the free speech issues do you have any ideas on ways to make
political advertising more honest?  Have you ever turned down a newspaper ad
because it was ethically suspect? I know you probably have legal boundaries
relating to libel, but I was just wondering about those that might be
personal or perhaps newspaper policy.

  Sue



    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Kai Eiselein
    To: suehovey at moscow.com ; vision2020 at moscow.com
    Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 2:43 PM
    Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Why I didn't vote for Brady


    Sue, you can be absolutely assured that I will never, I repeat, never
run for office.

    As for supporting "conservative issues", I came out in support of Moscow
building a new high school, I don't believe it is the government's business
what happens between consenting adults in the privacy of their own homes and
I believe stem cell research is needed. Oh yeah, I listen to NPR regularly
and love the arts. (I married my first wife on the main stage of the Spokane
Civic Theatre, where I was active, both onstage and off for many years.)

    Hmmmmmm, pretty conservative, huh?

    It IS true that I support stemming the flow of illegal immigrants,
support the right to bear arms, small government and believe in the personal
responsibilty that goes hand in hand with personal freedom.

    Above all, I believe in the right of free speech. What disconcerts me,
is the fact that I see both conservatives AND liberals that would love to
silence any opposing speech. (Recent events at WSU come to mind.)

    It scares the hell out of me when people vote for a party, not a
candidate. Maybe basing, in part, my choice on a handshake isn't the best,
but it's a heck of a lot better than basing it on advertising. Words on a
page describing a candidates platform, don't convey a sense of "who" that
candidate is. In the end it comes down to one's own "gut instinct".






--------------------------------------------------------------------------
      From: "Sue Hovey" <suehovey at moscow.com>
      To: "Kai Eiselein" <fotopro63 at hotmail.com>, vision2020 at moscow.com
      Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Why I didn't vote for Brady
      Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 09:22:54 -1000


      Sheesh....sort of reminds me of my grandfather who wouldn't vote for
Roosevelt because he was a "cripple" then later wouldn't vote for Adlai
Stevenson because a "divorced man is living proof he can't even manage his
family."  Given your propensity to support conservative issues why not just
be straightforward as you usually are?  If you ever run for office I promise
you my vote for the opposition won't be because you smoke.

      Sue


        ----- Original Message -----
        From: Kai Eiselein
        To: vision2020 at moscow.com
        Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2007 9:25 PM
        Subject: [Vision2020] Why I didn't vote for Brady


        A limp handshake and the inability to look me in the eye.
        Both, to me, show a lack confidence. That lack of confidence will
lead to waffling and paying more attention to "whats popular" rather than
"whats right".
        I'd like my candidates to have the spine to stand up for what they
believe is right, the pollsters, consultants and "experts" be damned. (Of
course, having them generally in line with my view is a plus.)
        In other words, I want them to lead.










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