Of course I've been reading, and watching, and living the life of an election volunteer for Fairfax County for the upcoming November 7 elections. What does this mean, exactly? I don't know: I'll be in training at the Fairfax County Government Center on Halloween (fitting, isn't it?), and I'll post my second entry this week after that educational affair. Until then, I realize that, election official or no, I am not immune to the spate of negative election practices done throughout the country, but especially on our doorstep. We're in the middle of the muck during a very important race: that of the Virginia senatorial race between Jim Webb and incumbent George Allen.
Take a look at the examples. Even in our own local paper, the Washington Post highlights the logical fallacies (on a play on the fallacy Ad Hominem: an argument in which the person is attacked; it's like saying that President Bush is wrong on Iraq because he is a horrible public speaker). The argument might not be wrong, but the logic behind it is certainly flawed. Yet I digress. What I have seen from Allen is a TV ad attack on Jim Webb's fictional novels and statements (however archaic and sexist) that Webb made in 1979. Webb has countered with reminding viewers of the "macaca" racial slur that Allen used this year, and his obvious alignment with the "stay the course" phraseology this year when asked about Iraq policy.
But here's what I'd like to know: Where do they discuss and/or promote issues relevant to us? What do they stand for, not what do they think their opponent is wrong for? I've received two flyers in the mail this week from the Jim Webb campaign. He's all for having our tuition be tax-free, removing troops from Iraq, not privatizing healthcare. So that's something. I've had nothing in the mail from George Allen. Nor have I seen much positive stuff on TV from either. At least Webb did make it to NVCC Woodbridge last Wednesday, meeting with one of our history classes and discussing the issues.
I guess it comes down to either reading or watching. I do both. If I just watched TV, I'd be so filled with vitriolic smearing and bravado that I'd either have to have a testosterone shot or move to Bermuda. Either way, it feels much like a fiasco. I hope it doesn't get worse on election day. If you see a political ad that only highlights important issues, let me know.
Reference Cited
Booth, William. (2006). Ads Hominem: Nasty Campaign Bites. Washington Post, October 29: D1. Accessed October 29, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/28/AR2006102800967.html
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