Editorial — And they’re off…again

Not too long ago we wrote about the start of the campaign for the national positions for the elections this May, and how what the candidates say and do can be a good barometer of what kind of politician they will become.

Now the campaigning for local posts has commenced. While this time it’s a different set of names, the game stays the same.

Expect frequent gatherings, expect long-winded speeches, expect song and dance numbers even from those who cannot sing or dance, expect them to grab the limelight any chance they can get.

While how a candidate acts during the campaign period can vastly differ with how he or she will act after being sworn in, this is also a good time to gauge how worthy someone is for a public position.

There are red flags to look out for, especially in the things they say and do. Are they only focusing on attacking rivals or pointing out their weaknesses? If so, they might be doing so to divert attention from their own issues.

Are they only good for entertainment and laughs? If so, then they may not be public official material at all.

Are they claiming projects or legislature that wasn’t actually initiated by them? If so, they may be dishonest and won’t think twice about grabbing credit that should go to someone else.

Are they promising voters the moon? If so, then they may be just be pulling your leg and willing to say anything to get votes.

Are they nice to people in public but nasty when no one is looking? Well, given the nature of politics, it’s up to you to decide what kind of people those are.

Let’s not forget that we are voting for who will become our local executives, from city councilor up to governor. These positions, while not as lofty as those of senators, are still crucial because they directly impact those whom they serve.