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 Plain Speaking on the Campaign Trail
by Tom Campbell
November 15, 2007
When I announced my campaign for Governor I never suspected the response of shock, awe and terror. My family and those who know me were completely shocked. They were filled with terror to think I might stand any chance of winning and awed by my audacity. The other candidates were too busy laughing to respond. People react strangely to fear.
There was little media coverage of my announcement, but it isn’t the first time they missed the big story. Some of the suggestions for campaign slogans were interesting. “If Tom can do it, anyone can,” was one. Another was “The best ideas for the 12th Century.” I’m hoping those numbers were reversed. My mom’s suggestion, and the winner, was “Speak Plainly and Do the Right Thing.” Mom always insisted we be grammatically correct.
Let’s see if we can kick this campaign off with some plain speaking about campaign reforms.
Top 10 “Plain Speaking” Campaign Reforms
1. Reduce candidate campaign contribution limits to federal levels, currently ,300 per election. This includes individuals, PACs, other candidates, and political parties, resulting in taking some of the big dollars out of our overpriced election campaigns. You might get to see live candidates for a change instead of images on TV.
2. Levy significant fines of ,000 or more for candidates who fail to file campaign finance reports on time, submit fraudulent reports, or fail to complete them accurately. Hire more State Board of Elections investigators to ensure these reports are received and reviewed promptly.
3. Make all elected officials subject to the same ethics laws as government appointees and employees, and bring violators publicly before the State Ethics Commission. Establish stiff penalties for violators.
4. Support groups or “527” organizations can advocate issues, but will not be allowed to mention the name of any candidate, elected official, or government employee in ads.
5. Shorten the election cycle. Filing dates would begin and end in June. The primary election would be held in September and the general elections in November. Instant runoff elections would prevent costly and ineffective runoff elections. Shorter campaigns mean candidates have to get to the issues sooner.
6. Lower the threshold of signatures necessary for independent candidates to qualify to get on the ballot for elections. We need more, not fewer legitimate candidates.
7. Tighten campaign contribution laws so that no lobbyist, government funded, or business organization can make cash or in-kind contributions to candidates, including sponsoring fund raisers, giving gifts, or providing any form of entertainment or travel. No exceptions.
8. Shorten the ballot by running the Governor and Lieutenant Governor together. Eliminate all remaining Council of State elections except Attorney General, Auditor, and Treasurer. Appellate judges would be appointed instead of being elected. These reforms require Constitutional amendments.
9. Appoint an independent commission to redraw legislative and congressional districts every ten years. No elected official, employee of an elected official, or person funded by or influenced by an elected official would be allowed to serve on this commission.
10. No elected official would be allowed to vote on or influence any decisions regarding any group or organization for which he or she works, serves on the board, or has relatives who do so. Conflict of interest violators would immediately be removed from office.
Like ‘em or not, these are pretty plain to understand. Can’t you just feel the groundswell of public support for this gubernatorial campaign? The other candidates are probably writing their withdrawal press releases, but just in case next time we’ll talk about budget reforms. Keep those e-mails coming.
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