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In smearing Va. governor candidates, Wash. Post's Hiatt failed to provide factual evidence on Dem
In his October 17 column, "Honesty Isn't the Policy in Virginia," Washington Post editorial page editor Fred Hiatt wrote: "Both major candidates for governor in Virginia seem to have concluded that they can be honest or they can be elected, but that they can't be both." Hiatt's charge -- that both Republican candidate Jerry W. Kilgore and Democratic candidate Timothy M. Kaine have made a conscious decision to deceive Virginia's voters -- is a serious one that by its nature demands evidence. Yet the only evidence Hiatt cited to back up his allegation of Kaine's dishonesty is what Hiatt implies is a misleading description of the Virginia tax reforms of 2004. In fact, during campaign stops and in debates, Kaine has accurately described those reforms, which he usually refers to as "budget reforms" -- not "tax reforms," as Hiatt claimed.
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Posted by open_mind
re: In smearing Va. governor candidates, Wash. Post 's Hiatt failed to provide factual evidence on Dem
Is this an attempt at fake balance? Columnists bend over backwards to avoid criticizing Republicans directly without also critcizing Democrats in a effort to appear balanced. Even when the criticism directed at Democrats is weak or in this case apparently wrong.
Posted Tuesday October 18, 2005 5:05:41 PM EDT / Flag this comment
Posted by Sagra in reply to open_mind
re: In smearing Va. governor candidates, Wash. Post 's Hiatt failed to provide factual evidence on Dem
It's the new faith-based logic. Whenever Republicans do something unethical, it actually proves that Democrats are just as bad.
Posted Tuesday October 18, 2005 5:19:01 PM EDT / Flag this comment
Posted by phreak in reply to Sagra
re: In smearing Va. governor candidates, Wash. Post 's Hiatt failed to provide factual evidence on Dem
Sagra, there's a lot of truthiness in what you say.
Posted Tuesday October 18, 2005 5:23:20 PM EDT / Flag this comment