Stupidity required
by election laws

A WIERD PROVISION in federal election law requires that candidates behave like morons in front of television cameras.

When a campaign spot appears on the air and the candidate talks personally about what he or she believes or wants to accomplish, or would do differently from the incumbent, they are required to say that they approve of the words in the spot, even if the words just came out of their own mouths. The usual wording is "I'm Charlie Potatoes and I approve of this message."

We would hope they approve of their own words. If someone else were dictating to them, forcing them to say things they didn't approve of, then why in the world would . . .

(cont'd from front page) we want them assuming public office and handling the people's business?

The reasons for the idiocy requirement are obscure. It makes some sense for the candidate to say they approve of statements by others used in the spot, as well as any visual images, but when a political hopeful stands in the family living room and spouts off, why in world would they then be required to say, in effect, "I approve of what I just said and I'll stick by myself, no matter what."

If we can't just take that for granted, we are illustrating that our political leaders are demonstrably a sorry lot.

Perhaps it's a test of character, showing the willingness to stand up in public and say ridiculous things. After all, that is often required of politicians today. At least they do it enough to suggest it goes with the office.

Candidates for state office aren't required to take that particular idiocy test, but some do it anyway, apparently demonstrating that they are up to the task and capable of even higher office.

Election officials we've talked to agree that the federal rule is an odd requirement. You would think some kind of exception would be made for those endorsing what they themselves have said.

The downside of the law is that the general public, including impressionable children, is taught that stupidity is not only acceptable in political life today, it's required.