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Show 4 The Signpost August 4, 1992 JEDITORIAL Political backbiting benefits no one By CHANDRA SMITH Managing editor of The Signpost It's time for a fair, cican fight. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." It was an answer to childish taunts. Yet, those childish games are becoming part of the grown up world of politics. Name calling and "mud slinging" are adding a new dimension Clinton confessed his frustration over being the victim of the press's search for character flaws. to dirty politics, and it is one that is playing a major role in campaigns this year. The bashing is coming from all angles. From the governor's race to the senatorial race to the presidential race, Americans are being influenced by the childish antics. It was obvious in Bill Clinton's speech at the DemocraticNational Convention that his main focus was on Bush bashing. In U.S.News & World Report, Ross Perot also expressed frustration over the way the political race is being influenced."A great deal has been written about me over the last 25 years. But ever since this volunteer effort started, the Republican Party specifically has had a nasty campaign to redefine me in a negative way," Perot said. When President Bush's ratings started slipping, one theory suggested that the best way to win is to make the other candidates look bad, according to U.S. News & World Report. British Conservatives used these tactics earlier this year, convincing voters that even if times aren't that good, they would only get worse under their opposing party. Now with Perotoutof the race, The Signpost staff Edit of in chief Acting editor Managing editor News editor Asst. news editor Sports editor Asst. sports editor Arts editor Asst. arts editor Signature editor Asst. Sig. editor Copy editor Asst. copy editor Special editions Photo editor Production manager Advertising manager Ads design Office manager Advisor Asst. advisor Asst. advisor, editorial Publisher Laurie M. Wirrh Ann Bridenbecker Chandra Smith Tyson Hiatt Cory Sovereen Jamie Martin Patric Toval Shay Farr Jennifer Harding Michelle Brauer Justin C. Scott Joyce Zabriskie Becky Jensen Charles Bowhay Mark Lukes Craig A. Sanders Matt Snyder Laura Lueck P. Larry Stahle Dale S. Oberer Jim Sawdey Dr. Randy Scoft the name calling will only intensify. And who will win when it is all over? No one. Name calling and "cheap shots" are just that, "cheap shots." It is difficult to earn respect when this kind of game is being played. "Mud slinging" isn't new to this year's campaign. In the 1988 presidential election, Bush had 20 full-time researchers and volunteers digging up dirt on Dukakis, according to Business Week. Dukakis had 10 aids and volunteers working for him. With the help of these aides, Bush received information that in 1977, Dukakis vetoed a bill that would have fined Massachusetts teachers for not leading their classes in thePledgeof Allegiance. Although Dukakis was acting on the advice of the state supreme 1 CLINTON rrr Wltjlt ' court, Bush used it as a symbol of Dukakis' lack of loyalty to the flag and the country, according to Business Week. Why are candidates spending so much time making their opponents look bad? Why is there more time being spent addressing the & t w II mm -Uiu The Signpost Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award The Signpost phone numbers Editor in chief Managing editor News Sports Classified Advertising Production Fax 626-7121 626-7105 626-7507 626-7983 626-6358 626-6359 626-6358 626-7401 The Signpost is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during fall, winter and spring quarters and on Tuesday during summer quarter. Subsc rip-tions are $9 per quarter. Ad deadline is two days before publication. opposing candidatesand less time spent addressing the issues? If a candidate is elected just because he or she is able to dig up the most dirt on the other candidates, who is to say they are the most qualified. Yet apparently, this is what is deciding who is put in office. People would have more respect for a candidate with enough confidence on where he stands rather than who he is fighting against. Dirk Kempthorne, a candidate for the Senate in Idaho, won respect when he challenged his opponents to a clean race. With the threat of name calling out of the way, they can focus on what is really important. However, name calling isn't limited to the candidates. The media plays its role in the way candidates are portrayed. "Mud slinging" by the media is perhaps the most powerful. Appearing on the Arsenio Hall Show, Clinton confessed his frustration over being the victim of the press's search for character flaws. Perhaps the media is doing the portraying of the candidates instead of the candidatesthemselves. Americans shouldn't respond to this kind of politics, or they should respond in a negative way. Demand to hear the issues, not the latest gossip. If we want to clean up the government, we should start by forcing candidates to clean up the race. The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by WSU students. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the newspaper. The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be typed and should not exceed 400 words. For lengthier expositions, arrangements may be made with the editor in chief. Letters must include name, address, phone number, relationship to staff and the signature of the writer. The Signpost reserves the right fo edit for reasons of space and libel and reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Bring letters to the editorial office in UB 267 or mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Ut, 84408-21 10, Attn: Editor in chief. Pros & Consensus By Chuck Bowhay and Ena Lodi What does the word "politician" mean to you? "If b.s. was music we would have a lot of brass bands wouldn't we?" Susan Pobanz Senior - tech. sales "Overpaid hand-shakers and baby kissers who lie their way into office, throw childish 'cheap shots' at their opponents and carry superficial 'Hollywood smiles.'" Justin C. Scott Junior - communication "Politicians are very confusing, slamming each other and talking so much about themselves - never issues." Joanne Schulthies Senior-communication "When I hear the word, I think of a bunch of lying idiots who are suppose to be running the country, but spend more time worrying about their own problems and less on the problems facing our country. I say lets do away with 'em." Darren Lueckler Freshman-undecided "Crook, cheat." Brandy Chourous Sophom ore-pre-m ed "A person who believes in the system, and has a desire to make a difference." Randy Madsen Sophomore-General : ' - - A |