Negative ads no place in island elections

Negative or attack ads were generally unappreciated by the electorate not only during the 2014 general elections but more so during the frenzied final days before the runoff election for governor when things started to become personal.

Integrity Communications owner Catherine Perry said while she agrees with most campaigns when it comes to full disclosure of a candidate’s weaknesses, there’s such a thing as going too far.

“The electorate deserves to know the truth, but the truth is never meant to be wielded like a weapon to recklessly stab people. Respect is important, and the truth can always be presented with respect, even if the other side does not reciprocate.”

She added that negative ads are actually not effective for an educated voter.

“As for outright lies in a campaign, the best way for a voter to spot a lie is to know the truth. But finding the truth can be hard work; most of us are too lazy, so we accept what others spoon-feed us even though it may be based on half the truth or outright fabrications,” said Perry. “We like to forget there are at least two sides to every story, and we are too quick to believe the sensational. Attack ads based on lies will have little effect on the voters if we are critical thinkers and commit to openly and earnestly seeking the truth for ourselves.”

A local couple interviewed by the Saipan Tribune during the runoff while they were voting on Capitol Hill said negative ads did not affect their votes.

The 63-year-old man, however, said that attack ads or statements about Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ health left a bad taste in the mouth. “They’re not only below the belt but under the foot already. Saying that Inos is incapacitated was really bad.”

His 56-year-old partner couldn’t agree more. “I think the attack on Inos’ health was really inappropriate. I have diabetes myself and it doesn’t affect me in whatever I’m doing. It’s very below the belt.”

The two added that Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the U.S., was himself handicapped but “was able to perform his work and everybody was proud of him.”

A couple of youth, meanwhile, didn’t appreciate the attack ads against gubernatorial candidate Heinz Hofschneider. The 20-year-old Dandan resident said those campaign ads went “overboard” and were “very unprofessional.”

The 21-year-old from Kagman echoed her friend’s concern, adding that campaigns should just stick to the positives in their candidates and not attack their opponents.

For his part, John Iguel said the attack ads during the runoff were “immature” because rather than focus on their candidates’ achievements, they instead resorted to dirty politics.

Tanya Concepcion said negative ads make the parties that subscribe to them look petty and bordering on childishness. She said it would be much better for campaigns to present their platforms rather than attack the opposing candidate.

Jason Osborne, the campaign manager of Inos and his running mate, Senate President Ralph DLG. Torres, said the GOP bets ran 98 percent positive ads that talked about their record and what they would strive to accomplish if elected.

“In fact not one of our TV spots mentioned anyone else but our candidates. We ran two contrast ads (Retirement votes taken by our opponents ad and ‘Who is qualified to be Governor’ ad) during the final two weeks to ensure that the record was clear with regard to our opponents but our two ads used words and/or actionsthat were directly attributed to them. Virtually all of the ads against us were attacks and in our view not worthy of responding to because they had reached the absurd,” said Osborne.

Hofschneider-Yumul committee-to-elect chair David Attao, for his part, didn’t want to talk about what happened during the campaign and the negative ads. He also appeared ready to extend the olive branch to the GOP.

“It is time for everyone to heal. Time to look back at the good in all of us. Time to cherish the precious memories of loved ones and families. There is no room for negativity. We should all focus our energy into making positive changes that benefit all of us now and for generations to come. We wish everyone the best of health and good tidings,” he told Saipan Tribune in a message through social media.