Voters have been forced to sift through the campaign mail and decide what's junk and what's worth keeping in an effort to find the best candidate to vote for today.

As if the TV commercials weren't enough, the postman has been drafted in the direct mail campaign war. And voters, mercifully headed to the polls today, can be forgiven for wishing a less-than-swift completion of these appointed rounds.

The mailbag this campaign season has produced an assortment of political bunk -- pleas from political wives, pictures of apples and tennis shoes and fighter jets, and, of course, a worried dog. What else need a voter know?

Bob Butterworth, the distinguished state attorney general who is running for state senator in South Florida, joins forces with deputy Attorney General George Sheldon (seeking Butterworth's job) and environmentalist Mary Barley (running for agriculture commissioner) to declare a "No Fly Zone" in Florida. Lest the voter think they are talking of terrorism, the brochure explains: "Scandalous corporate crimes, greedy special interest power grabs, and unethical crimes against seniors and consumers . . . Won't Fly in Florida." There you have it. They oppose "greedy special interest power grabs," and the pictures of fighter jets on the brochure's cover suggest this trio wants to call in air strikes on special interests.

Robert "Bo" Michael, an attorney who specializes in breast implant cases, shows a robed figure in sneakers on the front of his mailing. "WE'D NEVER EXPECT TO SEE THIS IN A COURTROOM," he writes by way of explaining his door-to-door campaign for circuit judge. Voters shouldn't be so eager to see it, either.

Marti Gessner, wife of a Pinellas School Board member seeking re-election, writes voters that, after 44 years of marriage, "the flame still burns brightly in my heart for him." In computer-generated script, she says: "For Max and I, it all started at St. Petersburg High School -- that's where I fell in love with the fullback wearing number 43 on his jersey." One is left to assume that No. 43 was Max.

John Legg, a state House candidate who describes himself as "the son of a Baptist minister," causes lightning to strike with a free-wheeling mailout attack on his opponent, Dunedin Mayor Tom Anderson. Among Legg's many distorted claims is that Anderson disbanded the Dunedin Police Department. "No, Tom, police are essential," Legg writes. No, John, truth is essential. Dunedin is now patrolled by sheriff's deputies, who provide better service at less cost.

Then there is John Renke, an attorney for only seven years who wants voters to make him a circuit judge. Renke may be the only candidate this year to feature a dog attack ad. His mailer displays a portrait of the family dog, Wyatt, who tells voters that "Declan Mansfield is certainly NOT my best friend." The flip side shows a yellow page ad for Mansfield, a respected attorney, which notes his law firm handles personal injury cases, including those involving, yes, dog bites. "If dogs could vote, I would surely vote for (Renke)," Wyatt implores.

Wyatt must be a rescue dog.

Oh well, it's all part of what we must endure in election campaigns in a democratic society. Somehow, most voters manage to sort through the trash and trivia, the bunk and junk, the love stories and dog photos, and base their choices on issues and character. They get it right more often than not. The important thing is that citizens exercise their right to choose their elected leaders. That's what really keeps our country from going to the dogs.

Today is Election Day. Don't forget to vote.
--

Back to Opinion

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times
Opinion page