A New Low For District 1

It’s sad. But inevitable.

The race for the 1st Congressional District between Democrat Suzanne Bonamici and Republican Rob Cornilles has hit a new low point.

Neither Cornilles nor Bonamici had anything to do with it, though.

The low point arrived in the mail in the form of a campaign flier.

On the front, Cornilles’ head is Photoshopped onto the body of a guy in a bad suit and white socks, leaning against a used car.

"Would you buy a used car from this man?" the flier asks. Upon closer inspection, the used car salesman’s fly is unzipped.

This ad was brought to you by the Democratic Party of Oregon. Tasteless. Senseless. Insulting to voters’ intelligence. Not to mention a waste of money. No one wants this kind of garbage clogging their mailboxes.

The flier discredits the Democratic Party of Oregon. Perhaps it’s a reflection of how the Democrats are running scared over the potential loss of a national seat.

Perhaps worse is the fact that by putting out such a crude, sophomoric piece of junk, the Democratic Party of Oregon is hurting the very person it’s trying to help. Although Bonamici’s campaign didn’t have to approve the flier, many voters will associate it with the Bonamici campaign.

While both candidates have been guilty of a little mud slinging here and there during their campaigns, this ad tops all.

Time to clean up the campaigns. Let the candidates run on their records and credentials. Let them answer — truthfully — to accusations against them.

We’re electing someone who will represent us in the nation’s Capitol. We want to see the real candidates, not petty, juvenile bickering and dirty party politics.

A little professionalism and dignity would be a nice breath of fresh air these last few weeks of the race.

Dare we hope? (kf)