Fritz Wenzel: Campaigns take darker spin on Web June 5, 2000 Experts said the Internet would change everything we do in life, including politics, and they were right. But those who dreamed the 'Net would transform politics into a dreamy fountain of cyber-democracy, where exciting, substantive ideas would be exchanged, leading to positive political campaigns, are still dreaming. The political campaigns for president are using the Internet - specifically e-mail - to mount two of the nastiest campaigns around. While their campaign Web pages are full of warm and fuzzy images and nonoffensive proclamations, Al Gore and George Bush are using mass e-mail lists to deluge news organizations with accusations and innuendo about each other. It is not unusual to get seven or eight from each campaign per day: From: "Gore 2000 Press Office" To: "Gore 2000 Press list" Subject: Bush Unveils Lose-Lose-Lose Social Security Privatization Proposal The title of this news release tells you all you need to know about its contents. Here's another from the other side: Gore Ignores Bush's Call to End Scare Tactics on Social Security Reform; Gore Offers a Band-Aid Instead of Solutions for Reform AUSTIN, Tex. - In a stunning reversal, Al Gore now says investing in the market is like "stock market roulette" when just last year he vigorously advocated the benefits of allowing investments as a part of the Clinton-Gore administration's Social Security plan, saying the "salient facts" make it good policy. At the top of all Bush press releases about the vice president is a quote from the primary season that Republicans don't want reporters - or voters - to forget: "Why should we believe you would tell the truth as president if you don't tell the truth as a candidate?" - Bill Bradley to Al Gore, Democratic presidential debate, Jan. 26, 2000. E-mail has become a very efficient back channel to reporters that allow the campaigns to slam their opponent without having to worry about direct backlash from a voting public unhappy with negative campaigning. The e-mail attacks happen very quietly, and it is possible the opposition has no idea they are under siege until it is too late. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bush Continues To Reinvent Himself: Today, He's A Conservationist NASHVILLE, June 1 - Today, George W. Bush talks about conservation in Utah, but his record as governor shows a lack of effort to conserve the environment in Texas. In fact, under Bush Texas ranks 49th in state spending on parks - and has acquired no new land for conservation, according to the League of Conservation Voters. Bush opposed the Texas Parks Commission's attempts to increase funding, and instead supported a private endowment program whose funding will not come close to filling the need of state parks. The first park facility the endowment built was the George Bush Gallery. The strategy behind these cyber-attacks: To get information into the hands of reporters by the time Mr. Bush actually makes his announcement about his conservation plans. In this case, the Gore campaign hoped writers would ask the Texas governor about the Gore news release at the Bush announcement ceremony, because such questions could change the dynamics of the story, and could ultimately make the whole event more of a negative than a positive for Mr. Bush. Behind the strategy is the belief, held by both campaigns, that the campaign that controls the spin of the issue of the day "wins" the battle. ON A VERY different note, the Ohio Project on Campaign Conduct, which opened its operations two years ago to encourage candidates for political offices to run issue-oriented campaigns and stay away from personal innuendo and distortions, has received funding to continue its efforts this election cycle. The group receives its operating money from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The $899,000 Pew grant will allow the project to continue its efforts at encouraging congressional candidates in the states of Washington and Ohio to negotiate, sign, and abide by campaign codes of conduct. The institute will once again work with Ohio Citizen Action, the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer and environmental organization in Ohio, as well as the League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund, a nonpartisan organization that encourages and facilitates citizen participation in government. The $201,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation will partner the Institute with the National Civic League, one of the oldest "good-government" groups in the nation. AS PROMISED, information about the Lucas County GOP golf event. The "Conservative Golf Outing," is set for 11:30 a.m. June 17 at Heather Downs Country Club. Cost per person is $115. Contact party headquarters for details. Fritz Wenzel covers politics for The Blade. Questions? Comments? Tips? He can be reached via e-mail at Fritz@theblade.com. © 1999, 2000 The Blade, All Rights Reserved. By using this service, you accept the terms of our visitor agreement: Please read it.