Punishing candor from candidates

My Dad, in frustration, once said, "Maybe honesty ISN'T the best policy." He was referring to a news story about some lowlife who got away with murder, or perhaps a lesser offense. I don't remember.

Dad spoke mostly out of exasperation, but I remembered his words after former Vice President Walter Mondale died. In his 1984 acceptance speech after winning the Democratic presidential nomination, Mondale unflinchingly stated, "Mr. Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I. He won't tell you. I just did."

There were no doubt other factors contributing to Mondale's landslide loss to Ronald Reagan, but his tax admission was given the most credit - or blame. Cynical observers may wonder how a seasoned politician like Mondale could make such a blunder, but here's another question: What does it say about an electorate that clamors for candor on one hand, while dismissing it so completely at the ballot box?

By the way, President Reagan raised taxes after his 1984 re-election.

Jim Newton

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