Why we have a primary (again)
by Ryan Anderson
It's rare to see a newspaper that actually discourages civic participation, but the Lincoln Journal Star's Why do we have a primary again? is a worthy exception (and a pretty good question, actually). In a field of 21 candidates, only 3 people will be eliminated? Reminds me of an old Conan O'Brien "Making the Band" spoof: We started with 6 billion contestants. From there we narrowed it down to just 100. And from there, to 98. ("I think we did pretty well, but when there's only room for 98 people, somebody's gotta go.")
The good news? While the city of Lincoln throws a $100,000 farewell party to Roger Yant and Mike Deal, we political junkies can savor a rare snapshot of the real horserace between Democrat Chris Beutler and Republican Ken Svoboda. Who leads and by how much? Frankly, I have no idea. But considering Beutler's strength in the money war and news that Svoboda's lawn care company can't hold up its end of a city contract, any victory for Svoboda on Tuesday should come as a kick in the pants to Democrats statewide.
As published by the Lincoln Journal Star and Nealo.com
Lincoln was once the closest thing Nebraska Democrats had to a stronghold. Today, I'm not so sure. While Lincoln Democrats were able to sweep the '06 legislative elections, they didn't even bother to field candidates against 9 of the 10 county-level Republican incumbents, and Maxine Moul lost Lancaster County despite a relative wealth of resources and an extremely favorable political environment.
Meanwhile, Lancaster Republicans are encouraged by their despicable defeat of Terry Werner and are already employing the same black magic against Beutler, with the NEGOP dropping no fewer than three attack mailers against him over the weekend. Needless to say, the success of such mudslinging does not bode well for the future of Cornhusker politics.
Unfortunately, the Democratic Party seems prepared to join them in that swamp. Their recent mailer, an attack piece filled with nasty bits about Svoboda's business and child support, is nauseatingly reminiscent of the infamous Cat in the Hat debacle. One almost wonders if the two parties and the LJS aren't conspiring to drive turnout to record lows. Don't be surprised if they succeed.
Beutler alone has managed to keep his head above this sewage, quickly denouncing the mailer on his website and consistently running a very issue oriented campaign. Beutler has advanced a positive (if somewhat, uhhh... esoteric) vision of Lincoln's future, and it's a shame the NDP can't content itself with spreading that message of hope and change.
This is exactly why the race in Lincoln matters. A victory for Beutler is a defeat for the politics of divide and conquer, of venom and vitriol.... a strategy that should have died along with "Ricketts for Senate".
A defeat for Chris Beutler is a defeat for Nebraska Democrats. All of them. Maybe Lincoln's not a stronghold, but it's at least a foothold. A beachhead. A city worth fighting for. Bravo to the UNO Dems and the Nebraska Young Dems and all the other foot soldiers who've been saying (and doing) that all along.
The good news? While the city of Lincoln throws a $100,000 farewell party to Roger Yant and Mike Deal, we political junkies can savor a rare snapshot of the real horserace between Democrat Chris Beutler and Republican Ken Svoboda. Who leads and by how much? Frankly, I have no idea. But considering Beutler's strength in the money war and news that Svoboda's lawn care company can't hold up its end of a city contract, any victory for Svoboda on Tuesday should come as a kick in the pants to Democrats statewide.
As published by the Lincoln Journal Star and Nealo.comLincoln was once the closest thing Nebraska Democrats had to a stronghold. Today, I'm not so sure. While Lincoln Democrats were able to sweep the '06 legislative elections, they didn't even bother to field candidates against 9 of the 10 county-level Republican incumbents, and Maxine Moul lost Lancaster County despite a relative wealth of resources and an extremely favorable political environment.
Meanwhile, Lancaster Republicans are encouraged by their despicable defeat of Terry Werner and are already employing the same black magic against Beutler, with the NEGOP dropping no fewer than three attack mailers against him over the weekend. Needless to say, the success of such mudslinging does not bode well for the future of Cornhusker politics.
Unfortunately, the Democratic Party seems prepared to join them in that swamp. Their recent mailer, an attack piece filled with nasty bits about Svoboda's business and child support, is nauseatingly reminiscent of the infamous Cat in the Hat debacle. One almost wonders if the two parties and the LJS aren't conspiring to drive turnout to record lows. Don't be surprised if they succeed.
Beutler alone has managed to keep his head above this sewage, quickly denouncing the mailer on his website and consistently running a very issue oriented campaign. Beutler has advanced a positive (if somewhat, uhhh... esoteric) vision of Lincoln's future, and it's a shame the NDP can't content itself with spreading that message of hope and change.
This is exactly why the race in Lincoln matters. A victory for Beutler is a defeat for the politics of divide and conquer, of venom and vitriol.... a strategy that should have died along with "Ricketts for Senate".
A defeat for Chris Beutler is a defeat for Nebraska Democrats. All of them. Maybe Lincoln's not a stronghold, but it's at least a foothold. A beachhead. A city worth fighting for. Bravo to the UNO Dems and the Nebraska Young Dems and all the other foot soldiers who've been saying (and doing) that all along.
Labels: Lincoln
posted at 10:54 AM
6 Comments:
Ryan said: "Any victory for Svoboda on Tuesday should come as a kick in the pants to Democrats statewide."
To be honest - with the mood that has existed in Lincoln city politics for the last 2-3 years, particularly the negativity directed at Mayor Seng - I think Ryan's underestimating Svoboda's position. Whatever the results of Tuesday's election, Svoboda has long thought he had this race in the bag. When that proves not to be the case on Tuesday, expect alarms to be going off at GOP HQ.
The Democratic and Republican Parties have played their hands in the primary. Sadly, if history is any indicator, the general election will be fought in independent expenditures that we all know are nothing of the sort.
Comparing the Democrats' Svoboda piece to the Ricketts "Cat in the Hat"-ad is pretty harsh. I haven't seen it, but it sounded like it was personal, fact-based, and devoid of poetry. Is that going negative? Absolutely. Is it below the belt and generally obnoxious? I wouldn't say so...not if it sticks to the facts and - again - avoids playing it cute.
The deep well of democracy can handle a little poison. But, be upfront about it. Personal attacks aren't a children's game. They're serious stuff - sometimes necessary, often deserved, but rarely something about which a campaign should be proud.
My advice: hold the sugar. This isn't Kool-Aid. There's no covering up the stench. Voters might drink what you're serving with negative ads. Just don't lie to them about what it is they're drinking and expect them to thank you for it.
I agree with LJS's position that the primary should be replaced with a runoff. If someone gets a majority the first time around why even hold another election? The candidates can pay for their own polls if they want an exhibition match. Better yet, we could save even more money with an instant runoff.
Quick note: even though there's an obvious difference of opinion between me and the NDP on this matter, they were very helpful and understanding in supplying me with information on the flier.
"To be honest - with the mood that has existed in Lincoln city politics for the last 2-3 years, particularly the negativity directed at Mayor Seng - I think Ryan's underestimating Svoboda's position. Whatever the results of Tuesday's election, Svoboda has long thought he had this race in the bag. When that proves not to be the case on Tuesday, expect alarms to be going off at GOP HQ."
May very well be. I don't feel I have a very good grasp of where this race stands. But I do think of this as a must win for Beutler. The "kick in the pants" is more of a call to action then a blow to the ego. We can win this thing. We must.
"Comparing the Democrats' Svoboda piece to the Ricketts "Cat in the Hat"-ad is pretty harsh. I haven't seen it, but it sounded like it was personal, fact-based, and devoid of poetry. Is that going negative? Absolutely. Is it below the belt and generally obnoxious? I wouldn't say so...not if it sticks to the facts and - again - avoids playing it cute."
You've got a point. But I'm sticking with Beutler on this one: these attacks cross the line. I would be more appreciative of their tone, which is certainly not "cute", except that they co-opted Beutler's official slogan ("The Buck Stops Here") -a message that's supposed to evoke his positive vision and his commendable performance as public servant. It almost feels like they've hijacked his campaign, and I have to believe the man is sincere when he says that's not what he wants this race to be about.
It crossed the line. Maybe it's not that far over, but it's on the wrong side. That's enough for me.
Why don't you do a story about how Beutler is raping the taxpayer...
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/04/03/news/local/doc4611865186840287855813.txt
I don't like Svoboda either, but I hope you have the courage to run an article against your own.
"Why don't you do a story about how Beutler is raping the taxpayer...
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/04/03/news/local/doc4611865186840287855813.txt
I don't like Svoboda either, but I hope you have the courage to run an article against your own."
I'm sorry, but I just don't have a whole lot to say about a mistake that was corrected in a timely fashion.
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