3 questions intended to challenge candidates to be honest

  • By Jerry Cornfield Herald Writer
  • Wednesday, April 6, 2016 8:29pm
  • Local News

Six years ago Brian Baird walked away from Congress, resettled in Edmonds and refocused on family.

But the moderate Democrat didn’t stop thinking about the devolution of dialogue in that political lair.

He kept talking with friends on similar quests to deepen conversations among the nation’s leaders and, in this election year, add content to the canned speeches delivered by candidates for federal office.

And as a result he, Bob Inglis, a former Republican congressman, and Krist Novoselic, a voting reform activist and bassist for Nirvana, drew up an approach that’s simple, idealistic and contains a touch of John F. Kennedy in its design.

It’s called 3 American Questions and the name says it all.

They’ve crafted queries on the rising national debt, the effects of a changing climate and the eroding of public trust in government for congressional and presidential candidates to answer this year.

“These issues are not getting the attention they deserve,” Baird said this week. “If we don’t get answers these problems become harder and harder to solve.”

And, drawing from JFK’s 1961 inaugural address, this trio wants candidates to not only lay out what they want to do but also what they are asking of the people they hope to serve.

“I really believe passionately that when called upon to face real challenges, the American people have always responded to those challenges,” he said.

The three questions are:

What specific actions will you take, and what will you ask the American people to do, to reverse global climate change and ocean acidification?

What specific actions will you take, and what will you ask the American people to do, to fix the growing debt of the United States?

What specific actions will you take during your campaign and your time in office, and what will you ask the American people to do, to help restore the respect and confidence of the American people in their elected government?

The group is road-testing its concept in one high-profile election this year: the contest in New Hampshire between incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.

Certified letters containing the questions went to each candidate. Their answers will be posted on a website, should they come.

The group also plans to run ads online urging New Hampshire residents to pose the same questions themselves in hopes of inciting a conversation on the campaign trail.

“The message to candidates and parties is simple — if you want to earn the right to represent us and lead this nation, you must earn that right with honest answers to the questions that matter and that will determine our future,” Novoselic said in a statement. “That’s what real leaders do.”

Baird is using $200,000 of unspent campaign funds as seed money for the group, though additional funds will be needed to continue.

Baird is adamant this group isn’t offering solutions for candidates to embrace, nor will it be endorsing.

“If both candidates put forward good solutions, fantastic,” Baird said.

But the group intends to offer analysis of candidate responses. As an example, Baird said if a candidate calls for a constitutional amendment to balance the budget to deal with the debt, the group will push back to find out what federal spending cuts that candidate would make.

The purpose isn’t to shame candidates but to encourage them to be honest with voters.

“We want to make it safe for people to have the courage to tell the truth and make it unsafe politically to not tell the truth,” Baird said. “Solutions exist. It is possible to solve these problems.”

Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com and on Twitter at @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.