RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:

Now that election day is almost here, get ready for the onslaught of political mail and endorsement touting from your local candidates. But as I learned, having a ringside seat in 2006, when it comes to politics, nothing is as it seems.

A Google search turns up 90,100 sites for political slate mailers.

They disguise themselves as representing a specific group such as Republicans, Democrats, law enforcement, unions, sometimes even as newspapers, which recently stirred some controversy in Irvine.

Most look like a ballot or “slate” suggesting combinations of candidates and issues you should vote for. They’re banking on the fact that you’re dumb enough to just copy their lineup on to your ballot when you vote.

The fact is, most are boiler room operations affiliated with no one. They call candidates and basically say, “Here’s how many mailers we send; if you don’t buy in we’re calling your opponent and sell space to them. … Where do we send the invoice?”

Sound like a scam? Many local jurisdictions nationwide are asking the same question.

Knowing it’s all about cash and not issues, you should send these directly to your trash.

Unlike slate mailers, endorsements can be a recipe for success in choosing the right candidate to vote for.

When you see lots of local and state politicians endorsing an incumbent, don’t be impressed. Both political parties encourage their elected officials to endorse only incumbents in local races. First-time candidates will have a hard time here.

In 2006, I called the Republican Party headquarters inquiring about how to get an endorsement. I was faxed a form to fill out and send in with a check, which I did immediately.

A few days later I heard they’d endorsed already. When I called wondering why no one contacted me for an interview, I was then told it was their policy to only endorse incumbents. So why didn’t anyone tell me that before? Apparently they only gave out that information once they have your check and paperwork. Not exactly an upfront policy.

I argued all the way up to the chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, got my refund and urged him to examine the policy.

But personal endorsements are a recipe for success in choosing the right candidate for you.

When reading an endorsement list, look for people in the community you trust, attached to issues you feel strongly about. These endorsements mean something.

Once you find a familiar name, contact that person and ask why they’re endorsing the candidate. People endorse for all sorts of reasons. They might know both candidates and whoever asked them first got the endorsement. In some cases they might not even know their name’s on a candidate’s list.

Late October, so-called “hit pieces” are mailed. The objective is to find something negative about your opponent, if you can’t, make it up.

Take quotes out of context, twist facts, attack family members if need be, you can always apologize later or pay a fine if caught.

Blame the dirty tricks on your consultant giving yourself instant deniability, that’s the end-game strategy.

So this election will voters see through their dirty game of politics, or just pretend it doesn’t exist?

BARBARA VENEZIA was the co-creator of the cooking show “At Home on the Range” with John Crean, and is the chairwoman of the Friends of Dorothy Guild benefiting AIDS Services Foundation OC.