Campaign reform must be sought

Bonnie O’Neil

Campaign integrity has never been more necessary than today (“Newport

campaign reform begins,” Wednesday). The majority of candidates are

not known by more than a fraction of the population and voters simply

do not have the time to thoroughly research issues and candidates. We

rely almost entirely on campaign literature and the media for our

decisions, which makes the public particularly vulnerable to false

information, campaign trickery and deliberate deceptions.

For instance, when we receive a mailer titled “Republican Campaign

Slate,” it is assumed that the candidates listed are all Republicans.

Few know that, with a magnifying glass, they can check the small

print at the bottom that states it is simply a paid advertisement; a

candidate listed could just as easily belong to the Communist Party.

Many existing campaign laws are so vague, outdated, and/or not

enforced that candidates have learned they can twist and abuse facts

to their advantage, deliberately mislead voters and not suffer any

serious consequences.

For example, Gov. Gray Davis aired massive media ads that implied

his opponent Bill Simon was a crook because Simon was being sued in a

civil suit for business improprieties. Even after a court ruled there

was absolutely no basis for the lawsuit, Davis continued with the

misleading advertisements. No matter what one’s political

affiliation, that type of campaigning should be met with criticism.

When no corrective or punitive action is taken on abuses that take

place at the top, why should candidates running for lesser positions

or their consultants feel a need to follow rules that are rarely

enforced?

If we continue to minimize the seriousness of campaign abuses, the

number of abusers will increase and further taint an election process

that is already dangerously close to being considered corrupted.

It is time to hold election campaigns to a higher standard by

creating laws that demand complete honesty and by strictly enforcing

existing laws.

I certainly agree with the Daily Pilot editorial “Chance for

reform on verge of being lost,” that concluded if the Newport Beach

City Council doesn’t agree on election reform, “a rare opportunity

will have been missed to make Newport Beach elections a model of

decorum, decency and results.”

Fortunately, it appears the City Council seems to agree on that

point and is in the process of deciding which rules or laws will best

accomplish the goal. Concerned citizens are anxiously awaiting the

results, hoping our city will accomplish the task of demanding

campaigns meet the highest standards of integrity possible.

* BONNIE O’NEIL is a Newport Beach resident.