The Tribune‘s March 13 editorial (“SLO County GOP’s election strategy: Smear anyone ‘linked’ to the late Adam Hill”) is very telling of the local GOP strategy: negativity, smears, lies, conspiracies, hate speech, character assassination, false accusations … over improving the quality of life for SLO citizens and businesses. Is this what we want of our candidates?
The local GOP came right out with plans to run a dirty campaign. Republican Central Committee member Erik Gorhman said: “If you’re going to run against an incumbent, it has to be a dirty fight.” Is this what we want in our elections—doing anything to win, regardless of ethics?
They plan on using guilt by association. I ask them: If your friend or colleague breaks the law, does that make you guilty? Of course not! Voters of any party should not fall for such character assassination.
These negative campaign plans show a party attitude likely to carry over to other elections, if successful. Is this dirty politics what you want—Republicans, independents, and Democrats?
Those willing to serve our community are deserving of respect and thanks, regardless of party affiliation. We should elect candidates based on their plans for serving the needs of the public.
Residents of SLO County: Think before you vote!
Harvey R. Levenson
Pismo Beach
This article appears in Spring Arts Annual 2022.
This “outrage” over proposals to hold politicians accountable for their dirty dealing is amusing. Summarized, it argues that corruption is only wrong when “the other side” does it.
If folks are “linked” to Adam Hill, isn’t there a very good chance that they are, or have been , corrupted by his criminal activities? You know, being “linked”?
You’re darn right I will vote for almost ANYONE with zero “links” to Adam Hill, Heidi, Dayspring, or the rest of the county rat pack!
You may recall that Richard Nixon was only “linked” to the Watergate burglars, yet Democrats found little difficulty in affixing culpability.