Democrats web site slams Aleonard

[aleonard]

I'm not used to being in the news, so I'd thought I'd share. I have included my response as well in this post. There are two threads on this board where I have worked to clarify the first article as well as a follow up article I wrote the next week on universal and closed primaries in Florida specifically addressing the misunderstanding. I work very hard to not make mistakes but when I do I work very hard to fix them as I have done with this situation. POSTED 6-25-2008 http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24770

And let me say on behalf of Mr. Beasly. I asked since the Sheriff's race was such a hot topic would everyone be able to vote in the primary on that race and he responded no and his quote was only referring to the Sheriff's race question I had asked..."Since Florida went to a closed pimary system, the last date to change over party affiliation to vote or register to vote in the Republican races will be July 28th. They can always switch back over after the race if they like." Mr. Beasly was responding to a particular question about a particular race, not all of the elections or races.
Newspaper Article Misleads Walton County Voters

Some Republicans have been urging local Walton County Democrats to change their registration "so they can vote in the County Commission races." An article in the July 3rd issue of the DeFuniak Herald written by Alicia Leonard, discussing candidates for local races noted, "One important fact is that in all of the races above only Republicans are running. Since no Democrats are on the ticket, the race will be decided at the primary runoff on August 26th 2008. Democrats will have no chance to vote in those races." That is simply not a true statement. That statement would be true if there were Democratic contenders in the County Commission races. However, that's not the case. If there are no opposing candidates, every voter votes. The "closed primary" becomes a "universal primary. Democrats can vote for the "Republican of their choice."
To further confuse Democratic voters, the article went on to say that the Walton County Supervisor of Elections "Bobby Beasley reminds those Democrats who want to vote in the primary that the time to change party affiliations is drawing near. " Why would a Supervisor of Elections suggest voters should change party affiliations? That's not his job. Yet, he is quoted as saying, "Since Florida went to a closed pimary system, the last date to change over party affiliation to vote or register to vote in the Republican races will be July 28th. They can always switch back over after the race if they like." That's a misleading statement and omits an important piece of information which Mr. Beasley, who is a Republican, could have added and clarified the facts for the public. Read what the rule says, according to the Supervisor of Election guidebook:
"Florida is a closed primary state. If you wish to vote in a Primary Election, you must be registered in the party for which the primary is being held. However, if all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner will have no opposition in the General Election, all electors may vote in the Primary Election for that office. All registered voters may vote for non-partisan candidates and issues."
Democrats CAN vote for Republican candidates in the primary election -- in races with no Democratic opponents. Both the newspaper writer and the Supervisor of Elections have a responsibility to give the public ALL the facts -- not just those that favor one party.



My response: aleonard sent a message using the contact form at
http://www.waltondemocrats.org/?q=contact.
I am genuinely sorry if anyone was mislead by my first article. In
discussing the sheriff's race the article did not separate it as a closed
primary from the other universal primary's. I immediately took steps to
clarify that article in a follow up the next week and went in-depth to
explain universal and primary elections and who was going to be on which
ballots. If you are going to print the first one please print the
clarification article as well. I write unbiasedly and would never try to
sway a voter belonging to either party as I am a registered non-partisan
and have worked diligently to inform and educate voters to become involved
in the process no matter in which party they hold membership.
Alicia Leonard

[jdarg]

Thanks A- I had seen your clarification. I wish others had!

[ckhagen]

FTR, I don't think Sup. of Elections should be partisan... but that's a whole 'nother topic.

[DemoLady]

Thanks for your response. I respectfully disagree that the commentary "slammed" you. That seems a rather strong reaction. The commentary wasn't about you; rather it was an effort to let Democrats know that everything they read in the newspaper may not be true.

It calls attention to the unclear statements within the article and correctly identifies you as the writer. In your SoWal response, you say you "clarified" the information in the article. Unfortunately, very few people in North Walton who get much of their local information from the Defuniak Herald log onto SoWol. As late as last night, one Republican county commissioner candidate wasn't sure whether or not all Democrats could vote for him in the primary.

Obviously, the primary is important, and Democratic voters need to know they have options other than changing political parties to participate. That's why I wrote the commentary, and if it calls attention to the issue -- great. Democrats would be remiss to allow misinformation to float around without trying to correct it. (How many people still state for a fact that Obama is a Muslim!)

[aleonard]

Thanks for your response. I respectfully disagree that the commentary "slammed" you. That seems a rather strong reaction. The commentary wasn't about you; rather it was an effort to let Democrats know that everything they read in the newspaper may not be true.

It calls attention to the unclear statements within the article and correctly identifies you as the writer. In your SoWal response, you say you "clarified" the information in the article. Unfortunately, very few people in North Walton who get much of their local information from the Defuniak Herald log onto SoWol. As late as last night, one Republican county commissioner candidate wasn't sure whether or not all Democrats could vote for him in the primary.

Obviously, the primary is important, and Democratic voters need to know they have options other than changing political parties to participate. That's why I wrote the commentary, and if it calls attention to the issue -- great. Democrats would be remiss to allow misinformation to float around without trying to correct it. (How many people still state for a fact that Obama is a Muslim!)


I appreciate the discourse, thank you.

But by not mentioning that the original article was published on June 26 and not July 3(that's when the second article was written) and (there was no mention of the second article in your post on the Demo website) leads others to believe that I did not immediately try to correct an innocent mistake. That no one from your party ever contacted my editor,publisher or I about and you post to your party's website is a slam. I wrote a second article because after reading the first one in print, I felt it muddied the waters and voter understanding and was unhappy with it myself. I did this unprompted.

I want all to have the best understanding of the process and to take part. To say I am trying to sway people is a slam and an untruth. Esp this"Both the newspaper writer and the Supervisor of Elections have a responsibility to give the public ALL the facts -- not just those that favor one party.

I did this. I followed through and corrected any misunderstanding(without anyone requesting I do so) and yet you say I haven't on the website.


"That's why I wrote the commentary, and if it calls attention to the issue -- great. Democrats would be remiss to allow misinformation to float around without trying to correct it."

The info was corrected in the public record long before you posted this and you are remiss in my opinion to let others think it has not been. But if the publicity surrounding the first article calls attention to your party then I now understand why it was posted in this manner.

But I can say personally and only speaking for myself, the dems have one less voter in Walton this fall if this is the way you want to draw attention to your party. That's sad. I really liked your presidential canidadate.

I enjoy your post Demo lady and and have done all anyone could do to recitfy this situation with in the week the first article came out. There is nothing else I can do. Except, maybe sign that petiton for a county charter and do away with partisan politics at the local level. After this experience with local politics, I don't think it's such a bad idea.

Respectfully,
Aleonard

[Smiling JOe]

As an FYI for anyone interested in seeing the ballots for the Aug 26 election, the Republican, Democratic, and Independent Ballots are currently posted on the wall outside the Voter Registrar's Office at the So. Walton Co Courthouse Annex, complete with all the names of the people running.

[Andy A.]

aleonard, I used the same contact you used to contact the Democrat Party but I'm afraid my submission was not as nice and pleasant as yours.

[rapunzel]

I know you to be non-partisan and fair. Since I also know that fairness is the cornerstone of professionalism in journalism, I understand your strong reaction to the statements on the Democratic website. As a Democrat, I was sorry to see the statement. I, along with other Democrats, have written to Graham Work-Campbell to ask that he issue an apology.

I have copies of the sample ballots for Republicans, Democrats, and Non-Partisan voters. I'd love to see the Herald publish the sample ballots for all it's readers as I do think there has been a whisper campaign to try to convince people to switch their party for the primary....but I don't think you nor the paper was responsible for that rumor.

[aleonard]

I know you to be non-partisan and fair. Since I also know that fairness is the cornerstone of professionalism in journalism, I understand your strong reaction to the statements on the Democratic website. As a Democrat, I was sorry to see the statement. I, along with other Democrats, have written to Graham Work-Campbell to ask that he issue an apology.

I have copies of the sample ballots for Republicans, Democrats, and Non-Partisan voters. I'd love to see the Herald publish the sample ballots for all it's readers as I do think there has been a whisper campaign to try to convince people to switch their party for the primary....but I don't think you nor the paper was responsible for that rumor.


Thank you, Punzy. The SOE has also subed those to the Herald and my understanding is they publish copies of those every year. Just before this hit, I emailed Mr. Campbell-Work as well, to ask for an interview on the Dems movement and their reps in Walton. I have already completed my interview's with the Republicans, as they responded very quickly to my request.

As you know, I am new to the political scene and I am learning the process along with many of our readers as well. I hate that the original article was subpar by my standreds and our readers as well and when I reliezed how the article read, I went to my Editor and requested the next day, unprompted, to fix my mistake. I am human, but I can say that neither I nor Mr. Beasley tried to sway anyone to be anything in any interview or article I have written. The SOE has mentioned on several occasions to me how he represents all of our county's voters and no one party.

I guess what I am trying to say is I made a mistake, I immediently worked to correct it and it is nothing more. I felt the commentary was written in such a way to say we were both trying to do something subversive and nothing is farther from the truth. That is what upset me about it.

Enough about that:biggrin:

Now, get better soon, relax, and enjoy your man-servant. If I can do anything to help out, please don't hesitate to give me a call.:wave:

AL