A couple weeks ago, I heard some firm from Denver conducted a poll  to test messages for the senate race in district 43.  I had a number of friends and advisers tell me that I should object to it, write letters to the editor and generally try to draw as much attention to it as possible.

I appreciate their interest and concern, but the poll didn’t bother me.   I doubt the average voter cares either.  As I door knock, it’s pretty clear that people are thinking more about vacations, gardens (I must say, I have seen some stunning flower gardens and very industrious vegetable gardens) and how long the Twins will hold onto their Central Division lead than they are about elections.

Another reason why I don’t want to make hay about the poll is because that’s politics.  I’m sure that an interest group or party from “my side” will be doing (or has already done) the same thing so feigning outrage over some hypothetical questions seems a little hypocritical as well.

What does bother me,  is not that some group conducted a message poll in my district, but that message polls are conducted at all.  My impression from the comments I’ve heard about the poll is that it was fishing for issues that will resonate with voters in the fall – for both sides.  There were negatives for both candidates.  That’s the part of politics I hate – and from what I hear on the campaign trail, most folks say they dislike it too.

Most people don’t run for public office on a whim.  It takes a lot of thought, time, effort and even a little personal sacrifice to be a candidate.  Therefore, each candidate has a set of principles and solutions that motivate them and that they offer to the electorate.  Campaigns and candidates want to educate and advocate FOR their platform and positions.  I know I do – I made that request of my supporters at my campaign kick-off event.

Why can’t campaigns be a marketplace of ideas in which voters select the one they like the most?  Why is so much of political advertising and messaging negative so voters end up choosing the one they disagree with the least?

Because negative statements make you feel, and it’s easier to feel than to think.

More on that later…