Anti-mudslinging message is loud and clear

There were two letters last week addressing Rep. Ken Fontenot’s July 16 column about running a positive campaign and calling on him to prevent any negative ads. While that sounds reasonable, the reality is he does not have any advance knowledge or approval of ads that are sent by outside organizations. That is why they must note on the ad that it was not approved by any candidate or candidate’s committee. That is required by law.

The reality is that for any ad sent in support of a candidate, the fact that the candidate approves of the message must be reported by the candidate as a contribution to the campaign. That applies only if the candidate has knowledge of the ad. Any communication with the organization sending the ad could be regarded as having that knowledge.

Representative Fontenot’s column is his message that he does not approve of negative campaign activity. It reaches the public, but it is also intended to reach those organizations that would send ads on his behalf without directly communicating with them.

Whether or not those organizations comply is up to them. But they must note that he is not responsible for their message. His column is also his way of telling the public that any negative ads are not from him or his campaign.

In this divisive political environment, we like to assume the worst and speak out as though it is reality. We need to step back, think about it and listen to what is said and done. If we do that, we will find the reality is that we all want the same thing and maybe have different approaches to how we get there. This is the real difference, the how and not the why.

I appreciate Representative Fontenot’s message because it says he is about getting results for the citizens of Wilson. It also highlights that he has good things to promote about his efforts rather than making his opponent look bad. After all, those who publicize the negative about opponents obviously have nothing positive to promote about themselves.

Mick Rankin

Stantonsburg

The post Anti-mudslinging message is loud and clear first appeared on Restoration NewsMedia .