Clean campaign? What a novel idea

By The Stanadrd Staff - 06/09/2004

One campaign season has ended and another one's just beginning.

As they say in the boxing ring, "Keep it clean fellas."

In the governor's race, Democratic nominee Brian Schweitzer fired the first salvo Wednesday, challenging Republican Bob Brown to sign a pledge that would eliminate the dirty politics and negative ads that have characterized recent campaigns.

In the primary, Brown refused to sign a

"no new taxes pledge" and it's unlikely he'll play into Schweitzer's hand by agreeing to another such campaign pledge. Besides, most campaign pledges are meaningless and broken after the first day in office.

But, given the tone of the primary battle between Brown and fellow Republican Pat Davison, it would be refreshing to see newspaper ads, hear radio ads and view television ads that did not talk down to the voters as if these candidates are bogey men and the world will end if they're elected.

"I think that Montanans would like to see a return to civility in state politics," Schweitzer said in a press release. "One of the best things about Montana is that people treat each other with respect. Montanans should be able to expect the same kind of civility from their politicians."

And, Montanans aren't stupid. One thing that voters cannot stand is being lectured to.

The clean campaign pledge would prohibit third-party attack ads. It would require each candidate to speak directly to the camera when discussing his opponent in any campaign ads, instead of using third-party voice-overs.

"If you have something to say, then you should stand up and say it for everyone to hear. That's the basis of this proposal," Schweitzer said. Better yet, say it in a newspaper ad where people have time to read it and digest it.

And, set up a series of debates across the state soon, in the coming weeks, with no political jockeying that holds voters hostage.

This campaign can be different. Montana is in dire straits and needs to know who will best lead it over the next four years.