Election News, Part ? - Comments on Candidates

Close of business yesterday was the last day for anyone to pull papers to run in the election (for any office).

Someone could still mount a write-in campaign, however that is a pretty difficult task for the non-town meeting member offices.

Just remember, if you took out the papers, you still need to turn them in.  Monday is the last day for that.

There are some potentially interesting dynamics for several of the contested races (and if everyone returns their papers we will have a bunch of contested races).

Some interesting moves on the part of some as to the office they will actually seek.

Discussion on the same is still being reserved until candidates are "official", i.e. the deadline for turning in papers has passed.

I am not really sure what I plan to do, blog wise, on the races.

I am fairly certain that any specific comments will not occur, if at all, until after the first candidates' night. By that time, everyone will have had to outline a "platform", if not sooner.  

Could happen sooner if circumstances warrant it. 

Just as a note, I am not going to get dragged into a comment chain debating the merit of any particular candidate for any particular office.  If and when I decide to offer an opinion I will.  At which time, you can feel free to comment on that opinion.

Comments which you may want to make about any candidate are going to need to be related to the specific post.

Pure and simple testimonials will not be allowed.

Pure and simple candidate bashing will not be allowed.

That doesn't mean you will be prohibited from referencing candidates by name, so long as your comments are related to the post, and more than mere plugs and don't cross the line.

If you need examples of what won't be accepted:  I am voting for candidate X because he/she supports proposition Y.  I am not voting for X because he/she is no good, dumb stupid, etc. (including any 50 cent words you might think of to make it sound less offensive).

Get creative, add some specifics and maybe it will get in (look back to the post, comment and reply regarding Fairhaven, The South Coast and More: Questions & Answers (based on a personal opinion) for an example of getting a plug in).

Let's save us both time for those of you who want to complain about the rules, this is my blog.  I will do my best to be fair to everyone however I don't intend to accept gratuitous plugs of candidates or candidate bashing on any topic.  There are plenty of places on line where you can do that.

NOTE:  This one is very important folks.  If you intend to "sign your name" to a comment where you reference a candidate, you are going to have to make sure you send your comment via an identifiable e-mail address. If you name yourself I will respond first via e-mail requesting you call me to verify you are who you say you are.

Comments sent simply via the blogger publish button with your name added will not be accepted.  If you have difficulty doing this let me know, and I can properly have a solution for you.

If you don't want to do this, then sign it anonymous (however it is usually better to put the name behind the "endorsement").

Too much potential for someone misusing another person's name.

Finally:

This election exercise we are about to put ourselves through truly is an amazing process.  Indeed, everything going on right now should be looked upon with awe and wonder.  It is example of a system that, for all its flaws, does work.  

Take this for what you will, but the inherent flaw in our system is not what is, but what isn't.  What isn't is a citizenry willing to get involved and stay involved.  

Taking a page from the playbook of my friends at FairAction Fairhaven, I will borrow quotes from one of their pages:

"In a democracy, people get the government they deserve."

Help create the government we all deserve, Be Educated and Engaged in 2012!

On those two points there is absolutely no disagreement.