Trane | Puglia | Ballantyne |
I was glad to learn that Bob Trane had filed his campaign finance report; interested to learn that Puglia and Ballantyne had discussed challenging Trane before election season had begun (also mentioned by Puglia in the 'one candidate debate'); and, disappointed to hear Puglia avoid what seemed like a relevant question regarding her husband's legal troubles.
On that last point, I don't see how a candidate can discuss her family's legacy in politics as part of her reason for running and then refuse to discuss her husband's disbarment. I'm not suggesting that Puglia should be held responsible for those acts but I also don't think she should try to sweep them under the rug. It wasn't sexist when Hillary Clinton's role in 'Whitewater' was questioned and it's not sexist to ask about Andy Puglia's legal issues especially as he continues to be involved in city matters.
Apparently the Journal's caption writer believes that Bob Trane will prevail in the preliminary election...
Update: the caption has been edited.
How is any question about Joan's husband's legal troubles relevant to her candidacy?
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned, it is JWP who has mentioned her family's involvement in Somerville politics as a contributing factor in her own decision; therefore, questions about those family members who have held office are, in my opinion, fair game.
ReplyDeleteI think a distinction deserves to be made between questions that have some bearing on what motivates a candidate to run (e.g. family role models in politics) and other questions of a personal nature about those family members which have no bearing on the candidacy (e.g. legal troubles). Presumably, the purpose of the article is to educate voters and help them make a decision among the candidates based on relevant information, rather than sensationalize details of family members.
ReplyDeleteThe profile mentions that JWP dismissed _any_ questions about her husband as being sexist. I'm not in a position to say whether the questions that were asked fit into the distinction that you're making.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, how were the questions "sexist"? That suggests, to me, that JWP feels that Andy Metzger treats female candidates differently i.e., that he would not have asked similar questions of Bob Trane regarding his wife.
IMO, she gave a reasonable answer here:
http://postsomerville.com/2011/04/25/puglia-launches-ward-7-alderman-campaign/ (but again, I don't know what Metzger asked).
Who did that?
ReplyDeleteIn its persistent line of questioning and mentioning about Joan's husband, the Somerville Journal has attempted to make his past legal trouble an issue in the campaign when it should not be. That the SJ feels she should be judged by his actions is why Joan called the questions sexist.
ReplyDelete