Q-C clergy call for better political behavior

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By Deirdre Cox Baker | Wednesday, November 1, 2006 1:11 AM CST | () comments

Some Quad-City clergy practiced what they preach Tuesday, calling for a positive change in the actions of political candidates and their supporters.

“We call on people to be their better selves,” the Rev. Stacie Fidlar said during a news conference to kick off a petition campaign aimed at ending negative campaign advertising practices.

Some 15 members of Quad-Cities Progressive Clergy, representing both Jewish and various Christian faiths, teamed with Churches United of the Quad-City Area for the session at the Unitarian Church, Davenport.

Rabbi Henry Karp of Temple Emanuel in Davenport acted as spokesman of the organization. He thinks the “good people” of the Quad-Cities will help change the tone of political campaigns.

“We pray for the day that we can all get together on this without rancor and focus with politicians on how to make life better for the people of the Quad-Cities,” he said.

The petition idea began in 2002, but during the intervening years, the ministers have noticed more frequent and severely negative political advertising messages, the rabbi said.

Also, the clergy agreed, the negativism has become increasingly vile, and they noted that it is a nationwide practice. The race described as the most negative in the Quad-City region this year is the Iowa 1st Congressional District campaign between Democrat Bruce Braley of Waterloo and Republican Mike Whalen of Bettendorf.

Such activity takes away from issues that actually affect residents, Karp said, adding, “It also undermines our social fabric and leads to moral decay.”

“We can’t forget the responsibility of voters,” the Rev. Anne Marie Hislop said. A Presbyterian minister, she is especially concerned about the effect of the nasty campaigns on children and the moral lessons they learned from them.

Voters could take action and protest such activities, but most do nothing.

“American voters are not participating in this process,” Hislop said.

Negative advertising drives down the numbers of those who vote in elections, which, Karp acknowledged, works as part of some campaign strategies.

“But it is not good for America,” he said. “This perverts the very core of our democracy.”

Some might believe the negative ads are effective, said the Rev. Jack Krch, also a Presbyterian minister. “But that doesn’t mean they are ethical.”

The petition campaign probably will have no effect on the Nov. 7 elections, but the clergy group wants to set the groundwork for the future.

“We’ll build our base for the presidential campaign of 2008,” Karp said.

A total of 31 clergy members signed the original petition document.

“We hope that, at the end of the day, we’ll have lots of signed petitions,” Karp added.

Deirdre Cox Baker can be contacted at (563) 383-2492 or dbaker@qctimes.com.