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What started as a post-election night quip about a mayoral campaign advertisement turned into a full-blown Facebook war that went to the air on Wednesday's Jack & John in the Morning. Here's a quick synopsis followed by what could be the end goal of the accuser and what is my end goal.
(Listen to the segment here!)
Here was the post I put on my Facebook page Tuesday night after the polls closed....Judging by the city election results, not many people were "gritting their teeth at career politicians" or "cheering when the Tea Party was trying to take back our country."
The reference being to lines from the Tammy Buffington campaign commercial that used political buzz-phrases like "liberal career politicians" and in the TV version shows pictures of President Obama and Nancy Pelosi to depict the "bad guys" and Sarah Palin and Donald Trump to portrait the "good guys."
Within minutes I got the following response from, of all people, prominent Lincoln Democrat Vince Powers....John, Ms Buffington put her name on the ballot, she should be respected for that. Anyone can make fun of a candidate, takes some nerve to be a candidate. To which I responded....Not mocking the candidate, just the advertisement....which was pandering of the worst kind.
Powers.....Nope, you were front-running. She put her name on the ballot, no(t) easy to do, regardless of party.
Me......Don't tell me what my intentions were. I swear no allegiance to party. What I cannot stand are party hacks who use inflammatory language and imagery to pander to those who don't pay attention to issues. Both sides do it and I'm tired of it. I call it like I see it.
Long story short, neither side was going to convince the other. But then KLIN's Coby Mach of Drive Time Lincoln fame brought up an interesting point and one that might lead me to believe why a prominent Democrat would come rushing to the aid of a Republican/Tea Partier in distress.
Coby said that Powers is up for anything that makes KLIN, the long-time "conservative" radio station, look bad. It makes sense. After all, if Powers can convince local Republicans that they really don't have allies at KLIN then their message gets muted, thus giving his party further in-roads in Lincoln.
Interesting strategy, if true. But if, in the larger picture, through this controversy we can eliminate the kind of stooping-to-the-lowest-level, pandering strategy that is all too often used in politics, it should be considered a win for us all.
Buffington's commercial did not issue one reason as to why I should vote FOR her. Not one example of a plan for Lincoln. Not even a specific mention of a Lincoln problem she identifies needs to be fixed. Rather it was - "Take back America from liberal, career politicians." That's all.
How are we going to get better as a nation if we keep dumbing down the message to political platitudes? How are we going to make our lives better for ourselves and those who follow us by throwing around meaningless rhetoric? Party talking points don't fix streets, create jobs, make neighborhoods safe or balance budgets. Ideas and hard work do.
(Insert Dr. Evil voice) So, Mr. Powers. If that is part of your plan: to swerve the local GOP away from KLIN I say, bring it. If it keeps the fear mongering advertisements off the air, I say YES! If it means the next go-around of campaign commercials actually tell me WHY I should vote for somebody, I say YES! If candidates use their 60 seconds to tell me WHAT they plan to do to make our city better, I say YES! If they give me a REAL substantive message about what they believe is best for this city and the people in it, I say YES!
Oh, and if it frees up more KLIN advertising time for your candidates who wish to spread the kind of crap found in the unsubstantiated mailers sent out to some voters the last two weeks, then I'll spend more than adequate time giving it the verbal smack down it deserves. Either way, a more educated Lincoln wins!
Quick post-script.....later in the Facebook thread Powers wrote....Making fun of a candidate thru her advertising on the night she lost 2-1, is inappropraite. Practice what you preach, after the election, respect those who walk into the Arena.
Yes, you mean like respecting Jon Camp by continuing (as of 3:00pm Wednesday) the Democratic Party-purchased website http://campdoesntcare.com/ after the election is over? And you cannot unsend a sent mailer.
I think Ms. Buffington deserves respect for having run for Mayor. No hidden agenda to bring down KLIN. Coby, what an imagination.
Sometimes it really is simple. I continue to think it was inappropriate to mock Ms. Buffington after she lost 2 to 1. Sogo ahead and make fun of me for giving her the respect she deserves for participating in democracy.
Take care
Vince Powers
05/04/2011 4:35PM
Vince
Let it go. Every single candidate that puts their name, voice, image, and ideals out there is subject to comment, criticism, and ridicule. It's funny that a Democrat would take such a side considering your side continues to take pot shots at Sarah Palin...who, in case you don't remember, Vincent, LOST!
Cry me a d*** river, Vince. You're wrong. Otherwise, I better see a long diatribe decrying Tina Fey for her "mocking" of Sarah Palin.
Your partisan slop is of the worst order. Good for J&J for trying to be above it!
--J
05/04/2011 6:18PM
Agreed John
Those commercials were annoying and pointless. I'm a staunch Conservative and I wouldn't have voted for Buffington ever. Vote for me because i'm republician is never an effective campaign platform (not even in Nebraska...)
As far as any problems with KLIN becasue of this, it really is just more annoying that you didn't call her out on these before the election. I don't fault you guys for selling her the time (that's what you do) but I do fault you guys for not calling her out on them becasue as a "news" station you should have done that. My 2 Cents
05/05/2011 8:26AM
She WAS not qualified
What terrifies me are the 11,000 people that DID vote for her. I'm a Dem, I tend to vote down party lines, but if this dimwit was our candidate? No freaking way. How she got launched into this race for Mayor is a mystery. Jon Camp was standing behind her at the podium the day she announced. I would like him to answer to this. I applaud Vince for his passion of the democratic process. I applaud John for his integrity -he was right, too. I wish you would have let it rip on her BEFORE the darn election but you have a job that is at stake, too. I am not happy with the actions of my state party on the mailers. Not only were they low balling, but inaccurate. There is no excuse for the fact checking that should have been done - it was lax. They were in a hurry. With that said, it was no better than the AFP and Republican party's attack in the last general election attacking Dan Marvin, Danielle Conrad, and others, with equally as false accusations. I recommend, if you like a candidate, give them money and let your State party suffer the consequences, or whatever other organization is financially supporting the low ball tactics that were displayed in this last race.
Welcome to all things Jack & Dave.
