The Way: Look past simple answers to difficult questions
News of the past week illustrates the complexity of the issues facing candidates in Election 2022
As the May 17 Oregon primary elections approach, various news organizations are interviewing candidates and posting their responses to questions about key issues. The responses to a COVID-19 question in a recent Oregonian Editorial Board questionnaire were interesting and represent a challenge that voters face.
This was the question:
What principles will guide you in navigating Oregon through whatever comes next in the COVID-19 pandemic? What has Oregon gotten right or wrong (e.g. closing schools, mask mandates, vaccine priority) in addressing COVID?
Some candidates decried mask mandates. Others praised them. Some blamed Gov. Kate Brown and the state for being slow to react and implementing plans poorly when they did act. Others criticized choices about reopening businesses and institutions – both the priorities and the timing of reopening. And several lambasted communications related to the pandemic.
Here’s the challenge for voters. There was an element of truth in almost all the responses. The pandemic posed such a big challenge with so many unknown variables that mistakes were inevitable. All candidates have to do to craft an effective message is pick the mistake that best fits their campaign narrative and emphasize it. And COVID-19 isn’t the only complex issue in this election. Homelessness, affordable housing and inflation are multi-faceted issues.
In the next month, voters should not only research candidates, but they also should read as much as possible on these issues. You will see campaign commercials blaming specific policies or people for homelessness, unaffordable housing and sky-high prices for food and energy, among other products. But none of these challenges are caused by a single factor, person or policy. Weigh all the causes, potential solutions and candidates. Then make your decision about how to vote.
This Week’s Cartoon
Articles This Week
Eric Paine gives of Community Development Partners explains how nonprofit collaboration can help address the lack of affordable housing.
Don Williams provides The beerchaser’s advice for gubernatorial candidates Tina Kotek and Bud Pierce.
Ben Bowman and Alex Titus update Election 2022 races and look at federal spending that U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley routed to Oregon in the Liftoff.
Coming Soon
Aaron Pina updates us on the Portland Charter Review.
Jim Moore looks at the race to represent Oregon’s new congressional district.