Comments on: In the Arena: Local Negative Campaigns on the Rise

By: Edward Lyle

Edward Lyle — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:27:10 +0000

Sadly, negative and attack campaigns appear to be effective… if they weren’t, they would stop. We hear the cry to cut out the negative campaigns and attack ads every cycle, and even the call to dial down/back the violent rhetoric, et al… but that only lasts about 3-4 hours at best.

The trouble is, we all need to hear about the candidate’s platform and ideas to address the real challenges we all face on a day-to-day basis… but we also need to know a candidate’s weaknesses and downsides so that we can make the best decision. It’s a tough balance but it can be done, and in a more respectable and substantive manner.

The most unfortunate part about it all is that professional politicians, campaign managers, and political consultants have figured out that they can also win by virtue of electorate apathy, ignorance, and by exploiting manufactured hatred… to wit: If I can win by simply convincing you to hate my opponent, then I don’t have to bother with trying to convince you that I’m the better choice based on my positions.

You see, in today’s hyper-divided politics (by design mind you), it’s easier to convince you that my opponent sucks than it is to convince you that I don’t.

By: David T. Hawkins

David T. Hawkins — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:24:20 +0000

Back in 2016 When I first ran for County Commissioner At Large Group 1, I ran against Mary Ann Lindley and we had the cleanest Campaign of everyone. No Mud Slinging. I just focused on what I wanted to do. I am running again and I refuse to Sling Mud, I’d rather take the time to tell what I want to get done.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:41:09 +0000

You are spot on, Jon! Thank you for bringing this to light. Your data is sad, but not surprising. There is enough negativity in this city/county – I wish these politicians would focus on their own campaign and policies instead of bashing those of others. Tell the voters what YOU plan to do to make Tallahassee better. Just yesterday, Matlow was “name calling” a current school board member and he’s not even running for school board!! Go wave sign in support of your favorite candidate instead of taking another cheap shot while sitting behind your keyboard.
To make matters worse – I received a text message from a current city commissioner that started with “I can’t believe I have to vote for a Democrat?” She went on to state why she is the better Democrat while taking a dig or 2 at her opponent!! Does she think this makes her more appealing to voters? Who else received that message? Sadly, this sort of “campaigning” has hit an all time low!

By: Joe Montilla

Joe Montilla — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:29:44 +0000

Jon Ausman? Somone call up old Dan Winchester

By: Mayflower

Mayflower — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:26:57 +0000

Sometimes negativity is true and Matlow/Porter had more than their fair share against them. Erwin Jackson had criticisms and he made them plain!

By: David West

David West — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:18:19 +0000

What happens when the negative press is actually true, not just negative spin.

The Cox campaign is getting flack from Democrats for supposedly being the source of a Jeff Burlew piece on her opponent, Jeremy Rogers. But nothing in the article is untrue. The article didn’t go far enough.

It is true that Rogers suffers from four mental illnesses, one of which allegedly rendered him unable to complete his work in a timely manner (four weeks for reports by him versus two weeks by his coworkers). This was due to PTSD that supposedly developed as a result of his mother’s horrible death. But even before that, he suffered from bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and anxiety.

He received a General Discharge from the Navy due to his involvement in a hazing incident – it is not known if he was the victim or the perpetrator. His service was cut short to 17 months.

It is a fact that he defaulted on a credit card, repeatedly refinances his home while failing to pay down the principal, has had liens on his property due to his failure to pay his HOA assessments. All of these are in the public record. He also had a paternity suit against him.

There is a big difference between campaigns that create unsubstantiated rumors and spread lies. In this particular case, every negative thing said about the candidate is true.

I have a hard time calling the spreading of TRUTH, negative campaigning. But now that it is hitting the Democratic Party, their response is more negativity, unsubstantiated statements, or just calling the opposition “weird”.