Cheryl's Blog
Monday, September 13, 2010
What Could be Positive About Negative?
Posted by: Cheryl Kagan on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 11:11:47 am Comments (0)
What Could be Positive About Negative?
Post #77
Several
weeks ago, my opponent and I started sending campaign mailings to voters. The tradition in a campaign is to define
yourself and your record first, then show distinctions between you and the
other candidate(s), and then, in the closing days, urge your supporters to
vote.
I have been
knocking on doors for over 14 months. In
that time, I have rarely been asked about my 32-year incumbent opponent. When her name was broached, however, it was
generally to ask about our differences. The
job for a challenger is to answer the question: why should we fire the
incumbent and hire you? Despite this, it has been my practice
throughout this campaign not to criticize Jennie Forehand personally or in any
way to demean her lifetime commitment to public service. It is, acceptable, however, to draw
distinctions in votes cast… or not cast.
It is a
fact that she was the only State Senator who missed the key vote on the death
penalty. It is a fact that Jennie’s vote enacted the
tax on computer services. It is a fact
that she opposed common sense lead paint tests and took contributions from real
estate interests. Nowhere do we say or
imply that she missed all the votes on the death penalty, wanted to put
computer companies out of business, or is indifferent to children’s
health. Facts are facts though, and she
needs to defend her record on these three recent issues.
This is the
kind of “negative” campaigning that can have positive effects: it informs the
voters on important issues that an incumbent candidate would just as soon keep
quiet, and that the media-- especially on the local level-- often lacks the
resources to pursue. Since it draws
legitimate contrasts between the candidates, it is more accurately referred to
as comparative advertising.
On the
other hand, Jennie and her powerful Annapolis supporters have dug up old news
and smeared it onto some pretty ugly mailers.
She knew that I had a personal relationship in the mid-90’s with a guy
who happened to be a lobbyist. She knew
that we were the only couple (of three) that chose to disclose all of our
personal expenditures, including movie tickets and meals. It was only due to that relationship that I
earned the dubious distinction of being the top “gift” (meals are considered
‘gifts‘under Maryland law) recipient in the legislature. The media and others who knew the
circumstances all gave us kudos for our ultra-ethical behavior. Unfortunately, Jennie chose to use it against
me for her political gain.
The same
can be said for the tobacco tax. I voted
FOR an 83% tobacco tax increase. I was a
co-sponsor of a proposed 139% increase.
But when it came to the 278% increase referred to in Jennie’s negative
mailer-- a jump in taxes that would have put us completely out-of-step with
neighboring jurisdictions like DC and VA-- I voted no. There was no lobbyist influence, no tobacco
campaign contributions (ever!), no special interest persuasion involved. It was me, trying to cast the most careful
and well-informed votes I could. In my
eight years in office, it was probably the toughest decision I made.
I don’t
like negative campaigning. Anything that
is a personal smear, unsupported by the facts or filled with innuendo should
have no place in our political world.
The reality is that it exists; any candidate not prepared to get beaten
up a bit should stay out of politics.
But, like a lot of people, I think it diminishes the process.
There are
links and more on a new page we felt compelled to create. Please visit www.CherylKagan.org/facts
to learn about our mailers and those sent by our opponent.
I
would love to hear from you, dear
Blog reader! What’s your opinion on
negative campaigning? Do you see the
difference between issue-based differences and personal or character
attacks? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments"
link below to express your views. Please
be sure to indicate which post (#77) you're addressing.
Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.
Monday, August 30, 2010
In The Dark About PEPCO?!
Posted by: Cheryl Kagan on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 11:33:20 am Comments (1)
In The Dark About
PEPCO?!
Post #76
For too many of
us, this has been the summer of the power outage in Montgomery County -- full
of blackouts, melting food, and sultry, un-air-conditioned nights. (This was after the outages we all experienced
during the snow storms last winter!) In
response to the resulting public outrage, the Maryland Public Service
Commission tonight held a public hearing on PEPCO’s sorry standard of
service. I walked over to the County
Council Building from our headquarters in downtown Rockville to participate,
because I thought it important to hear from leaders and members of the
community I hope to represent again. In
addition, I had written testimony I was prepared to deliver on my own
experiences with our electric utility.
Although it is
obviously difficult just two weeks before an election to disconnect any public
appearance from my candidacy, it was as a PEPCO ratepayer and former member of
the House of Delegates that I went to the hearing. As a ratepayer, I wanted to share the story
of how my neighbors and I successfully demanded better service from PEPCO, for
the example it would provide to those in attendance. As a former Delegate, I wanted to recount the
efforts of some of us in the legislature to maintain adequate public control of
electric utilities at a time when the idea of power-company deregulation was
sweeping the nation. The dire effect of
deregulation on rates and service since then-- here and elsewhere-- has proven
that those entities charged with providing a vital public service must not be
regulated by the marketplace alone.
The Council
chambers were packed, and there was a long list of people who wanted to
testify. Virtually every elected
official in Montgomery County, from U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen and County
Executive Ike Leggett to various town officials, thought it worth their time to
come and participate. They shared their
own ideas and experiences as well as those of their constituents. My opponent, Jennie
Forehand, was a notable exception-- apparently she had something better to do
tonight.
Power outages
are not only a nuisance, but waste refrigerated and frozen food, and are a drag
on the economy because of all the electronic devices (and businesses!) that
stop working. They can also be life-threatening to those reliant on certain
medical devices.
I live in a
neighborhood that suffered frequent power outages, often for no discernible
reason. I finally got fed up. I drafted a petition to PEPCO and went
door-to-door, talking to my neighbors and collecting signatures. We insisted
that the company replace the outdated equipment that contributed to the
problem. Because we were united in our
effort and persistent in our demands, PEPCO listened. The company made the necessary upgrades. Now, I am happy to say our neighborhood
suffers fewer outages than average for our service area. Our success can be replicated elsewhere if
neighbors work together.
At the
government level, progress can also be made by holding PEPCO accountable. Tonight’s hearing was a good example of that
kind of public oversight. In fact, the
whole idea behind the Public Service Commissions established early last century
was to ensure that power and other monopolies were providing good service at
reasonable rates. That simple idea was
somehow lost in the deregulation fervor of the ‘90s, at great cost to the
ratepayers and the economy. Too few of
us in the Maryland legislature envisioned a decline in service and an increase
in rates if electric utilities were deregulated; we opposed that initiative but
take no satisfaction in having been right.
If anything good comes out of this summer of power outages, perhaps it
will be a return to a more balanced approach to regulating our public
utilities.
I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! What advice or request would YOU have wanted
your State Senator to deliver to PEPCO this evening? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments"
link below to express your views. Please
be sure to indicate which post (#76) you're addressing.
Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Important Post
Posted by: Cheryl Kagan on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 10:05:52 pm Comments (0)
The
Important Post
Post #75
Earlier
this week, I was honored to receive the endorsement of The Washington Post. They
wrote:
DISTRICT 17: Sen. Jennie M. Forehand is a
beloved figure, or rather fixture, in Annapolis, having served 16 years in the
state Senate and, before that, 16 years in the House of Delegates. Alas, she is
not really an influential one, despite good work on human trafficking,
transportation and other issues. The county would be better served by Cheryl C. Kagan, a hard-charging former
state delegate and nonprofit executive.
Why
is this endorsement so important and so prestigious? I would suggest that there are four reasons:
1) Unlike businesses, unions, or other advocacy
organizations, regional newspapers take a broader view and have an interest in
a wide range of issues. Focused on
issues that range from economic development to transportation and education, newspapers
are invested in the success of our community.
2) Because they observe the workings of
government closely, editors have insights as to the effectiveness of our
political representatives. They see them
in action (or inaction!) and know how they are perceived by their colleagues.
3) Newspapers take the long view. A newspaper like The Washington Post is over 100 years old, has seen many elected
officials and issues come and go, and tries to assess the deeper impact of
officeholders and policies on our community.
4) A paper with the prestige of the Post knows
that readers take its opinions seriously. It therefore takes a very deliberative
approach to endorsements and never makes a choice lightly.
Each
of these reasons makes receiving the endorsement of The Washington Post all the more gratifying.
I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! Do you pay attention to endorsements from
regional newspapers like the Post? Why? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments"
link below to express your views. Please
be sure to indicate which post (#75) you're addressing.
Thanks for
reading. I will post again soon.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Can You Hear Me Now??
Posted by: Cheryl Kagan on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 9:53:10 am Comments (0)
Can You Hear Me Now??
Post #74
Earlier this year, Congress approved a historic overhaul of
our health care plans. Virtually no one
was happy with the outcome. Some
liberals were unhappy with the fact that the public option was never seriously
considered. Conservatives were
dissatisfied with the number of provisions they advocated that were included in
the final version. Very few
constituents were satisfied either – although not necessary because their opinions
didn’t prevail, but because they felt their voices weren’t heard.
Something similar happened locally. After much deliberation, the County Council
and Planning Board approved the Gaithersburg West Master Plan, also known as “Great
Seneca Science Corridor.” While Johns
Hopkins has advocated the expansion of its campus on the Belward Farm, many
neighbors (in addition to the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville) have
expressed serious concerns about the proposal.
People observe – either from the sidewalk or inside their cars – the current
levels of congestion, and wonder how the area can absorb more. This issue is a common one I’ve heard during
the 13+ months I’ve been door-knocking throughout the district. And the common complaint I’ve heard is that
no one seems to be listening.
In this economic downturn, many are desperate for jobs. If they are good-paying, as many are – and
promise to be – in the I-270 tech corridor, all the better. The technology sector – developing new ways
to treat disease, live a more green lifestyle, better communicate with our
world – is vital for both societal and economic benefit. Such jobs are important for sustaining our
families, providing tax revenue for education, transportation, and other
priority government programs. The
Hopkins expansion would also enhance the prestige of Montgomery County as a
technology and educational showpiece in the national and international arena.
However, governments at all levels must better at listening
to residents. It is a common reality –
too often ignored – that people are at peace with a decision they disagree with
if they feel at least their views were truly heard and considered. If elected to serve as your Senator, I pledge
to listen to divergent viewpoints. I’ve
been building consensus on tough issues since before I served eight years as a
State Legislator. It is how I live my
life – not just my political career.
I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! What ways have you found especially effective
or frustrating when it comes to getting your point across to elected officials? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your
views. Please be sure to indicate which
post (#74) you're addressing.
Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Pick a Team, Any Team
Posted by: Cheryl Kagan on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 1:40:44 pm Comments (0)
Pick a Team, Any Team
Post #73
As I’ve talked to my neighbors in District 17 over the past
13 months who are actively involved in various issues, I am reminded of the
small fraction that will actually help pick their State Senator this fall. Many voters consider themselves to be
independent thinkers and prefer not to be categorized; they choose not to
register with either major political party.
They tell me that they “vote the person, not the party.” I completely agree with that sentiment. Nonetheless, those choosing to remain unaffiliated
should be aware of two facts.
First, they are willfully disenfranchising themselves in 50%
of the state (and federal) elections for which they are qualified to vote. By waiting to vote until November, they may
be unhappy with their choices. This
causes further cynicism and frustration with the political process.
Second, the reality is that in Montgomery County, most
electoral decisions are actually made in the Democratic primary elections. By the time of the general elections, there
are very few (if any) contested local races left to be decided.
The September 14th primary for D/17 State Senate,
contested for the first time in 20 years, underscores the reality of those two
facts. Those hoping for a more effective
advocate in Annapolis will fail to make their voices heard if not registered as
a Democrat.
The reality is that a small fraction of the nearly 120,000
people I hope to represent again will actually cast a ballot this fall. Many smart people with well-reasoned opinions
and a great deal of commitment to their community are unlikely to turn
out.
Earlier this year, Governor O'Malley signed a bill that
extended the deadline for Marylanders who would like to align themselves with
either the Democratic (I hope!) or Republican parties to Tuesday, August 24th. It is only if you have identified your
preference as one of those two choices* that you will be able to help nominate
our next Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, County Executive &
Council, and state legislators. Pick a
team, either team ... but be an active citizen-- and come out to vote in
September!
*
There are voters who choose to register as “Green” or other non-major political
party. At this point in our democracy,
those smaller parties either don't field candidates at all... or they don't
have contested races from which you would be choosing. In November, voters from any party (or no
party) can support any person on the ballot, regardless of affiliation.
I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! Have you thought about switching from
unaffiliated to one of the two established parties as a way of increasing your
impact on the political process? What
has stopped you from doing so? Please
send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments"
link below to express your views. Please
be sure to indicate which post (#73) you're addressing.
Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.