Politics

Black & White: Part I

I happen to work for a candidate who is an absolute man of integrity. For the last twenty years he has been a fair and objective journalist who has told both (or more) sides of an issue in order to present an honest story. He is now attempting to become Oregon’s next Secretary of State, a roll which is considered “the watchdog for the people.” 

There’s a whole lot of people in the middle of the political spectrum that just don’t care anymore. We want our politicians to represent all people, be men and women of integrity, and just do their job.

As a journalist, he covered politics and saw how more and more citizens were being disenfranchised, or at the very least, ignored by elected officials. He couldn’t just talk about it anymore, he had to get involved.

The Secretary of State oversees the election process, oversees the auditing division of government and has various other rolls. However, it was elections and auditing that got Rick Dancer interested in the job. Over the last decade, decisions by the current Secretary of State have made the office one in which it appears that only partisan interests are represented, ignoring entire segments of Oregon citizens. Rick wishes to make the office officially a non-partisan position — it has to be. As the person charged with conducting fair elections and finding abuses of state finances there has to be a responsibility to protect all Oregonians from the corruption of government.

While I believe that his opponent will likely maintain the status-quo in Salem, I understand that in a democracy, there are some who would prefer the other option. That’s fine, I can live with that. But, one of my biggest pet peeves in politics are the people who vote for or against a candidate based on a litmus test of just one or two issues, and fail to take into account the entire picture.

Maintaining integrity in politics

A few days ago I received a phone call at the campaign office from a person wanting to know our candidates’ stance on abortion and gay marriage.

It’s important to know that because the Secretary of State is a position which has to enforce laws and also be unbiased with the initiative system and any potential laws citizens may request through the initiative process, Rick has decided not to take a public stand on issues that don’t directly affect the office. Some people think he’s hiding — The truth is, he’s protecting the integrity of the system.

Once I explained why I wasn’t openly sharing the positions of our candidate, the woman asking the questions responded by, “well, then he’s not worth my vote.”

At that moment, it would have been easy for me to crack and give the woman Rick’s positions on those social issues. From a strategic standpoint it probably would have made sense, and no one would have blamed me. However, there was something that grated me about this woman’s approach that I decided to just let her go and for us to write off her vote.

There have been many times our campaign has met with groups of people tied so strongly to their party that they wouldn’t support Rick, because he wanted the Secretary of State’s office to be non-partisan or other minor issues that deviated from the party platform. “You’re not a real Republican,” is something our campaign has heard countless times. To which Rick usually responds, “I’m not your type of Republican.”

I’m proud of Rick and his ability to hold onto his beliefs and ultimately, his integrity through this process. 

The world isn’t black & white

I understand everyone has their pet issue, and if that’s what they need to be engaged in the political process, good for them. But, going back to the woman who called our office about abortion and gay rights, why are those the only two things that matter, especially in a non-legislative position?

There’s a whole lot of people in the middle of the political spectrum that just don’t care anymore. We want our politicians to represent all people, be men and women of integrity, and just do their job. All the while, people on the two extremes are held hostage by issues that should never, ever be the sole litmus test for a candidate.

Tags: 2008 election, Oregon politics, Rick Dancer