Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2000 08:11:24 -0800
To: News Releases
From: San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney
Subject: New Release No. 2000-3 - San Juan County Prosecutor
I am forwarding a message of general interest from a national
interest group reporting on the conduct of political campaigns.
I thought you might find this of interest because this is a big
year for federal, state and local elections. This newsletter is
published weekly. If you would like to be added to the distribution
list, send a note to Brad Rourke at the address below.
-----Original Message-----
From: Project on Campaign Conduct [SMTP:info@campaignconduct.org]
Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 11:54 AM
To: Newsletter@mail.3ip.net
Subject: Campaign Conduct This Week
This email comes to you from the Project on Campaign Conduct (http://www.campaignconduct.org),
a non-partisan initiative of the Institute for Global Ethics (http://www.globalethics.org),
a non-profit, non-sectarian think tank. If you would prefer not
to receive these emails, simply reply to this message with the
word REMOVE in the subject line.
Thank you.
___________________________________________________
C A M P A I G N C O N D U C T T H I S W E E K
December 17, 1999
The Project on Campaign Conduct released new polling data in DC
Wednesday, in a joint press conference with the non-partisan Interfaith
Alliance (who had an announcement to make about most of the presidential
candidates signing their civility pledge). To see complete information
about the poll, point your browser at the Project on Campaign
Conduct site at:
http://www.campaignconduct.org
AMERICANS WANT HONESTY MORE THAN RESULTS
One of the most astonishing numbers from the poll (conducted by
Democratic pollster Celinda Lake and Republican John Deardourff)
is 94%. That's the number of American citizens who somewhat or
strongly agree with the statement "I prefer elected officials
to be honest and air in their dealings even if they are unsuccessful
at getting the best results for the public." 71% agree *strongly*.
In today's pragmatic, bottom-line world, this is a surprising
figure. One that should encourage anyone who feels the moral compass
of government is permanently demagnetized.
AMERICANS ARE ALSO DISAPPOINTED
But Americans by and large feel that elected officials aren't
living up to their aspirations. 57% somewhat or strongly agree
that "Most elected officials don't seem to believe in behaving
with good ethics." And a chilling 59% think that ALL or MOST
candidates "twist the truth." That is, more than half
of America believes they are more likely than not to be deceived
by their elected leadership.
IN THE NEWS
- The Columbus Dispatch did a great page three piece that can
be read here:
http://www.dispatch.com/pan/news/bcleannws.html
- And Business Week ran a GREAT piece in their online version
here:
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/dec1999/nf91216e.htm
- The AP ran a brief story that can be read here:
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/349/wash/WASHINGTON_AP_Several_president
.shtml
IN OTHER POLLING, ETHICS TOPS THE LIST
In June, Democratic pollster Celinda Lake and Republican Ed Goeas
released their landmark bipartisan "Battleground" poll.
This is one of the most well-respected political polls in the
nation. In an open-ended question they asked everyone who said
the nation was "off on the wrong track," they found
one issue to outrank all the others by a wide margin. The question:
"When you say the country is off on the wrong track, what
in particular are you thinking about?" The most frequent
response: "Lack of moral values/incivility in society,"
given by 34% of the respondents. Remember, this was open-ended.
People were able to say anything they wanted. Ethics had only
one close competitor, "Other" at 24%. Everything else
was in the
single-digits. For the full poll, go to http://www.tarrance.com/battleground/default.asp
That's all for this week. Thanks for listening,
Brad Rourke
Vice President, Public Policy, Institute for Global Ethics
Director, Project on Campaign Conduct
__________________________________
Project on Campaign Conduct
at the Institute for Global Ethics
http://www.campaignconduct.org
info@campaignconduct.org
Randall K. Gaylord
San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney
96 Second Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 760
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360/378-4101