The more public the figure, the bigger the target for attack. And if you are a candidate running for office, then, like it or not, you are considered a public figure.
This means that legally, a candidate can do little against unflattering letters to the editor, misquoted articles, and underhanded brochures containing vicious rumors. What is said can be completely false.
A lie, even.
A candidate can sue for libel, but unless they can prove the statement was both false and malicious, they won’t have a case. Proving malice or a level of carelessness that amounted to maliciousness is a burden of proof that is tough to meet. This is established law based on the United States Supreme Court ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan.
Unflattering or untrue statements can make it hard for a candidate to keep his or her cool. That’s why a thick skin is important, because lashing out will either justify the attacks or just make the candidate look bad. Legitimate issues should be confronted, but a candidate should not feel the need to address every crank out there. The same holds true for online activities.
It seems like the smaller the district, the more personal and nastier the politics. If a candidate can avoid the sleaze, they will not only hold the moral high ground, but they will also be better able to focus on the real objective: winning the election.
And what if it’s legitimate criticism that you get called out for? Take constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth.
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Tags: local politics, newspapers
