Political mail can carry its own kind of hazard

So, what have you been doing with all those political mailers piling up in your mailbox the past few weeks — especially the past few days? We’re wondering if the average Joe even flips through the flyers or just tosses them aside to be recycled with the unopened credit card offers. We know some of you read them because you’ve written to tell us what you think about your favorite candidate’s opponent.

Like every other year, this year’s mailings got nasty. We should be clear right now, we’re spreading the nasty blanket over most all the major office candidates and both major political parties. Of course, if you find only one candidate’s mailings to be mean, then chances are you’ve already made up your mind who you’re voting for. If you’re still undecided, you probably shouldn’t rely solely upon last-minute mailers to help you make up your mind.

If we were handing out nasty awards this year, we might call a tie between the 21st Legislative District race and the Snohomish County Council District 1 race.

We’re not surprised by trouble in the 21st District race. After all, it’s a hotly contested seat for the state Democrats and Republicans, who have everything to gain and lose by it. The jabbing started early in this one with Democrat Brian Sullivan going after appointed Republican incumbent Joe Marine for mailing some pieces to people outside his district. Things seemed to die down a bit until recently when Marine went after Sullivan for missing city council meetings, to take care of ailing parents. Low blow? You decide. Sullivan shot back with a poor conduct slam against Marine and where this all ends is anybody’s guess.

What really got to this board was this week’s knock-down, drag-out fight between county council candidates Mike Ashley and John Koster whose political mailers play tug-of-war with one of our September editorials about Freedom County ("Freedom’ actions cowardly," Sept. 15). After a couple of us finished scraping one of our fellow board members off the ceiling over these flyers (Ashley’s, specifically, which came first and was much worse), we sat down and had a rational discussion.

We decided to let our editorials speak for themselves. The same goes for reporters’ articles, which sometimes get snipped and clipped for a candidate’s use. If you think a candidate’s or a political party’s use of carefully chosen news articles and editorial quotes tells the whole story, you’re wrong. We’re not saying all candidates misuse quotes. Many use them appropriately. We simply suggest you read the entire editorial or article and make up your own mind.

If you haven’t been keeping up on political stuff, you’ve still got time and we’ve got the resources. The Herald offers a Web site with complete election coverage, including news stories and editorial endorsements. Check it out at www.heraldnet.com. Or check out the state’s voters’ pamphlet online at www.vote.wa.gov. Many candidates have their own Web sites, too. The address should be on their pamphlets.

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