What’s fair?
This image, used in Rep. Virgil Goode’s controversial television advertisement, was furnished by the Perriello campaign.
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
By Published by The Editorial Board
Published: October 1, 2008
Congressional candidate Tom Perriello took the unusual — and unfortunate — step of threatening legal action in response to a new television advertisement by U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-5th.
Goode’s commercial quotes Perriello from the Danville Register & Bee story, “Drilling debate sets sail,” (June 19, page A1) about the offshore oil and gas drilling issue.
But the commercial doesn’t use the entire quotation. Here’s what Perriello said: “I support more drilling as one piece of a much bolder strategy for relief. But those who think drilling alone will make dent in prices are offering a 2-cent solution to a $4 problem.”
Goode’s commercial only used the last part of that quotation.
It’s obvious that Goode’s campaign, by using just half of what Perriello said, has deliberately tried to misinform 5th District voters about Perriello’s position.
It’s both sad and surprising that Goode would resort to these kinds of tactics. Goode has never won less than 59 percent of the vote since he was first elected to Congress in 1996. There was no reason to use half a quotation from his opponent. It’s negative campaigning, pure and simple — just the kind of thing we see in the presidential race.
But it’s wrong for Perriello to respond to Goode’s advertisement by threatening legal action with a letter from his lawyer to a television station manager.
For that matter, complaining about the doctored, stark picture of Perriello used in Goode’s commercial doesn’t help much either.
Perriello should respond to Goode’s commercial with one of his own. This is a political campaign, and it promises to get a lot nastier over the next five weeks. Perriello doesn’t need a lawyer, he needs to respond.
For the record, both candidates support offshore drilling. But under the best case scenario, it could take seven to 10 years — if not longer — before we see the benefits of that drilling. It won’t lower prices at the pump today, and if and when there is American oil and gas to be sold, it will be sold on the world market.
At best, offshore drilling is a mid-term solution to this country’s energy problems. We need to do a lot more things — like those supported by both Goode and Perriello — to achieve the energy independence both men obviously support.
Page 1 of 1
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Vindicator ) on October 01, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Jennie,
If the paper edites a letter, how do you know they haven’t edited the story. They have a tendency to leave things out and print half truths. Virgil Goode has worked hard for the 5th District since he was elected, and always looked out for our best interest. Perriello may be a good man as well, but if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Change just for the sake of change is foolish. The opposing party has distorted facts along the way to make their man look good. Getting back to the point, distorting positions has been a political trick for longer than either of us have been around. It just irrates me that some folks only point fingers at one candidate and turn their heads when their candidate does it.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Jennie ) on October 01, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Vindicator, I don’t understand your comment. How is a newspaper editing a letter to the editor like a member of Congress distorting the face and positions of his opponent? Your analogy would only work if Virgil Goode made and entirely honest ad, submitted it to the tv stations, and THEY distorted the images and allegations. Somehow I don’t believe that to be true. Maybe you are missing the BIG picture—that Virgil Goode is lying to try to win an election. The people of Virginia deserve better.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Vindicator ) on October 01, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Most readers will miss the BIG picture to this story. The liberal media Register only prints what it deems as appropriate for we, the little people. If you’re expecting fair and unbiased reporting in this paper, I have some beach front property in Arizona to sell you! For those who aren’t aware, this paper is accusing Goode of doing the very same thing THEY do with their letters to the editor. You submit your written letter to them and they print their version and use YOUR name. Much like they are saying about Goode. Sounds to me like Virgil took a page out of the Register & Bee’s play book. Democrats have been using half truths on the public for years. Why all the commotionn now? Hmmmmm.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Jennie ) on October 01, 2008 at 8:19 am
Why should Perriello have to spend precious resources producing and running television ads responding to Goode’s lies? Why can’t we expect more from Goode—to not spread falsehoods and to have some respect for the democratic process? Unfortunately, it seems that Virgil Goode thinks that making his opponent look dark and bearded will help Goode win the election. This is not surprising given Goode’s comments about Rep. Keith Ellison a couple years ago. Even if we can’t trust Goode to be honest, we should be able to trust our journalists. This editorial board should stop criticizing Perriello for seeking an honest campaign and pay more attention to Goode’s attempt to manipulate his constituents.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Kilobyte #2 ) on October 01, 2008 at 6:30 am
Perriello should sue him to remove the false add or either make a correction in the ad. Is this what politics has come to? Lies and false statements are are splitting this country even more. If Mr Goode can’t tell all of the truth how can we trust him enough to send him back to Washington.
Report Inappropriate Comment