Michael Hohmann wrote: What's the value of special interest endorsements to local politicians? How about to the general public? How do such endorsements influence candidate platforms and decision making in local politics, before and after the election? In general, are city residents and property taxpayers (renters & homeowners) well served by the special interest endorsement process? Or, is decision making on behalf of city residents and property taxpayers distorted and compromised by the special interest endorsement process?
Mark Anderson: I've often wondered about this myself. When I see organizations endorsing candidates, it is almost always a negative in my mind. My thinking is the endorsing organization is a special interest that the candidate is then indebted to, and will have to pay off with votes. Apparently most voters don't think this way, or at least the candidates don't think they do, because the candidates keep eating up endorsements like they're chocolate. I especially hate a long list of endorsements on the candidate's brochures. I don't think they'll have time to consider the public's interest with so many preferred lobbyists whispering in his/her ear. For example in the Eighth Ward council race, I could never vote for Marie Hauser with her long list of debts owed to Big Labor (admittedly, I probably wouldn't vote for her anyway). Are there people out there that will actually vote for a candidate BECAUSE of a special interest endorsement? Mark V Anderson Bancroft REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
