We are entering the critical last five weeks of the election cycle. In our democracy, you hold the power, through your ballot, to decide who our president will be and who will manage the affairs of our state.
For many it is a solemn and cherished duty, the magnitude of which cannot be fully appreciated in its humility. For others who take a somewhat less enthusiastic or patriotic approach, your pain and exasperation will soon be over.
But it’s not going to end quietly. In many races we could guess the outcome months ago, for others these five weeks will be crucial to who wins. October means Halloween, and candidates always fear an “October surprise” in the trick-or-treat season and anticipate a nasty mailer on behalf of their opponent.
With the rules allowing third-party support, the “hit” pieces are usually done by supporters of the candidates or their party political operation. Beware; don’t believe most of what you hear or read in the last month. The “hit” pieces usually reflect a candidate that appears to be losing.
This has been one of the strangest elections on record, and not just because of Donald Trump’s 3 a.m. tweets when his staff isn’t there to keep him from mischief. Some candidates didn’t do as well in debates, others made questionable decisions and some third-party supporters started the Halloween season early.
The race for governor between incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican challenger Bill Bryant has gone pretty much according to script. Both are capable and experienced. Inslee has the advantages of incumbency to grab topical photo opportunities and has raised by far the most money. But the debates were thought by some from each party as the perfect showcase for Bryant, who’s smart, articulate and, as a former Seattle Port Commissioner, has a clear understanding of Washington’s place in international economics.
And yet it was Inslee who seemed more prepared and more comfortable in the role. In one debate, Inslee used humor to remind Bryant of his support in one of Inslee’s earlier campaigns. Humor isn’t typically part of Inslee’s style, but his preparation showed and he performed above expectations. At another debate, Bryant needlessly engaged in a disagreement with the panel of media questioners on previously agreed-upon rules and didn’t score the knockout that he needed.
The 2016 election season has the potential to be a Democratic year, which may account for two unusual maneuvers in the race for State Auditor between Democratic Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy and Federal Way Republican State Sen. Mark Miloscia. The Auditor’s job is to make sure local governments are properly keeping track of taxpayers’ money and to root out graft and corruption. But Miloscia held a press conference in Seattle, the heart of the bluest portion of this blue state, to say he was going to introduce legislation in December to give the Auditor new authority to evaluate how cities handle their homeless. He spelled out a couple of specifics and said the Auditor could hold cities accountable for being too lenient with their homeless.
Too “lenient?” The responsibility for dealing with the homeless belongs to the mayors and city council members of towns and cities throughout our state. They make those decisions and we, the voters, hold them accountable for their actions. Setting social policy shouldn’t be within the purview of the State Auditor.
It was, of course, an election campaign stunt to generate publicity. Even some Republican legislators might have a problem with the proposal, as it adds another layer of government intrusion into another expensive problem that most legislators don’t want, and it seems counter to the Republican “less government” philosophy. The ploy worked, and Miloscia got his publicity, but it may have given a lot of Seattle Democrats who didn’t know Miloscia and wouldn’t support his political goals a really good reason to remember his name.
Another unusual decision from the Miloscia campaign came in the form of its overreaction to a column by sarcastic wit “Mr. Federal Way” that poked fun at the same homeless proposal. The Miloscia campaign, in its reaction through a Letter to the Editor, seemed to conjure up the view that Mr. Federal Way was comparing Miloscia to Hitler and to Nazi policy. Independent readers likely didn’t read the comment that way, but since Miloscia has raised the point, how many will now? And Miloscia’s letter seemed even further off the mark as it ran the same day has the Mirror’s endorsement of Miloscia for Auditor. If the Mirror really thought Miloscia held Nazi views it seems unlikely they would have endorsed him.
Miloscia probably didn’t know the Mirror was going to endorse him, but it demonstrates the level of overreaction from Miloscia’s camp. His request for an apology would now seem to be on the other foot.
Another odd approach this season was used by the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, Tina Podlodowski, who seemed to not understand the election cycle and how the Office of the Secretary of State works. Podlodowski is running against Republican incumbent Secretary of State, Kim Wyman. While inaccurate accusations are nothing new in politics, Podlodowski seemed to stretch comprehension when she blamed Wyman for causing lower voter turnout. Since voter turnout is highest during a presidential year and sees drop-offs in others, until another presidential year occurs, it seemed to be an odd choice for attack. Also, Wyman, along with every other Secretary of State, always works to improve voter turnout. Podlodowski could have challenged Wyman for violating the state’s campaign finance law by not filing reports on time, which she did – Wyman even self-reported her violation.
Setting public policy in the state Legislature is not easy. It’s hard and requires time, brains, a thick skin and the ability to compromise. We have four good candidates running for the state Legislature, but third-party mailers would make you think they’re all evil. They’re not, but they do have different points of view on important issues that affect your community.
The Federal Way Area Chamber of Commerce Forum was this past Wednesday, the student Education Forum was yesterday, and The Mirror debate is Oct. 12 at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club. Go to as many debates as you can and talk to the candidates. Read the election news in the Mirror and do your homework.
And don’t believe the old Chicago mantra, “Vote early and vote often.” It could get you put in jail.
But do vote once. It’s your right and responsibility, and it’s your license to complain.
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is the former mayor of Auburn. He can be reached at bjroegner@comcast.net.
