O'Donnell, Corbett & Onorato: Muckraking Media Marring 2010 Pennsylvania Elections

The democratic process is supposed to be about our policies, intentions, and decision-making regarding the future of the United States of America. Unfortunately, this is not the case with campaign managers. Accusations and investigations are filling the media about everything from campaign financing fraud to voter fraud and even witchcraft. OK, I realize that issues such as these are important and they are legitimate concerns but is it necessary to splash everything that comes up onto every website and newspaper available?

Political Allegations

Being a resident of Philadelphia in the Delaware Valley, I play a part in the public political process and, as a writer, I hold myself to certain standards; I have a responsibility as a voter-we all do. Recent stories of "campaign finance fraud" and allegations regarding the recent "upset victory" of Christine O'Donnell (R-DE), the Delaware Tea Party candidate, are personally upsetting .

I realize campaign rules must be followed, but it disturbs me that any middle-class American trying to play an active part in the democratic process and serve our nation would be vilified so quickly for unproven allegations-no matter what their political affiliations. Worse still is that in the week following the revelation, stories about Mrs. O'Donnell dabbling in witchcraft and extreme religious beliefs appeared. Sure, maybe she dabbled in witchcraft (Wicca) and later became a Born Again Christian; Americans vilified John F. Kennedy in the 1950's because he was Catholic and Catholicism was the demonized religion of that era. What is the point? The accusations simply show off political muckraking at its worse.

The Local Non-Connection

Regardless of what financial errors were made or not, destroying an individual's reputation solely to prevent them from winning an election is wrong-morally and criminally- and it happens all too often. The issue now influences the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race and the both candidates are weighing in with their opinions regarding statements made about health care and pending judicial investigations. The connection between the communities in Delaware and Pennsylvania has a political effect on voter perspective and attitude. Philadelphia, which is central to PA elections, is feeling the Christine O'Donnell "issue." Tom Corbett (R-PA), PA's Attorneys General, has drawn fire for statements made regarding his opinion on health-care reform and about a case he is investigating involving allegations of fraudulent voter signatures in the Delaware Congressional Seventh District races. Democratic candidate Dan Onorato (D-PA) accuses Corbett of using his office for political purposes.

Everyone is Guilty

None of these stories addresses the needs of the American, Pennsylvanian, or Philadelphian future, nor do they address the pertinent issues. Nevertheless, both sides appear to be equally guilty of this unfortunate, but time-honored practice. America is fighting to escape a two-year recession, the longest since World War II, and recover from the near-collapse of the banking system. The term Muckraking defined means, "exposing scandal of public figures," according to Princeton University. Yes, there is line between legitimate and political motivation, but we, as Pennsylvanian voters, must draw that line.

As an American, I believe in the statement "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend, to the death, your Constitutional right to say it." Digging for anything discrediting candidates to prevent them from participating in a political life is the same a simply shutting them up and that, my friends, is not very American. What is American is freedom of speech, religion, and education. We as humans learn by dabbling, even in Witchcraft. Who hasn't dabbled in Witchcraft at some point? Ever play "Light as a Feather" or "Bloody Mary?" I hope you aren't running for Political office then...

Sources

WordNet 3.0, "Definition of Muckraking," Princeton University
Kenneth R. Bazinet "Christians, Witches, CREW All Have Issues with O'Donnell," NY Daily News

Garrett Russo, "Crew Calls for Federal Criminal Investigation into Christine O'Donnell for Campaign Finance Fraud," Citizens for Ethics
Angela Couloumbis, "Onorato says Corbett waffling on health-care reform," The Philadelphia Inquirer
Tom Infield and Joelle Farrell, "Corbett's Petition Investigation Draws Political Fire," The Philadelphia Inquirer