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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Dogwalk: Less & Less Political Courage

An organization known as Project Vote Smart has for years prepared a questionnaire called the Political Courage Test . Started 1n 1992, it is a non-partisan research organization designed to give voters straight forward answers, yes or no, to the major issues of the day. You can't get much more straight forward than yes or no! Over the years fewer and fewer candidates, even after cajoling and repeated reminders, answer. They are told by all their "advisers" that the opposition could use it against them. Well, if they believe in it so what? Isn't that the problem? In our state, Idaho, neither candidate for the House took the test. Answers as to why are lame. For instance, a candidate spokesman described the questionnaire as no more than a series of pledges and the candidate does not sign pledges/Dogwalk Musings. More here.

Question: Do you care whether a candidate answers Project Vote Smart questions or not?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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