Aiken Standard | Editorial: Disregard negative ads
Everyone claims to dislike negative political campaigning, yet the negative ads seem to work.
Negative ads are as much a part of the political scene as kissing babies, sound bites and shaking hands. They prey on fear, innuendo, distortions and sometimes outright lies. They should be dismissed out of hand.
Two local campaigns are receiving negative advertising from a group that calls itself South Carolinians for Responsible Government. This organization is anything but responsible as it spews misleading information about candidates it wants to be absent from the State House.
Mailings were sent out to residents in House Districts 81 and 83 taking to task one of the leading candidates for the Aiken seat and the seated representative in the North Augusta district.
SCRG is a pro-voucher organization that wants to stack the Legislature with others of a like mind. It targets those who have a record of being in favor of public money going to public schools only. And rather than merely supporting candidates it likes, SCRG uses scurrilous negative advertising in an effort to scuttle the campaigns of those it is against.
Hopefully voters in Aiken County are savvy enough not to be swayed by these attacks.
Vote for someone because of what he or she stands for, not because a group with no ties to our county sends misinformation.
Aiken Standard | Fliers attack candidate Young for S.C. House
Aiken Standard
By Rob Novit
5/28/08
Fliers mailed out in the last few days have singled out S.C. House District 81 candidate Tom Young Jr. of Aiken, and he’s not happy about it.
South Carolinians for Responsible Government’s Political Action Committee sent the fliers, in part branding Young as a trial lawyer supported by trial lawyers who want to sue doctors and drive up health costs.
“I was totally blindsided by this attack,” Young said. “I think they singled me out because we’re winning the race.”
SCRG is best known statewide for its support of a voucher-type alternative called tuition tax credits that parents could use for private schools. In past elections, the organization has aggressively campaigned against selected state lawmakers and candidates, both Democrats and Republicans.
SCRG also sent out a flier against House District 83 incumbent Don Smith, claiming he once voted to raise the gasoline tax from 16 cents to 21 cents. He said the legislature of which he is a member has cut property taxes, eliminated sales taxes on food and reduced the state income tax. He hasn’t done anything to suggest he would raise taxes, Smith said.
Read more
Negative Campaign Alert
Friends,
Over the Memorial Day weekend I was attacked by an out-of-state special interest group. You need to know that the attack mail piece was full of lies. Below is my official response that I have sent to the press. Any time you receive an attack mail piece about me, please call me directly and I’ll set the record straight. My number is 803-215-3631.
Aiken Standard: Young makes solid candidate
What should we look for when evaluating candidates for a leadership position? Before retiring, I worked for 30 years in manufacturing management and we always looked for individuals who consistently demonstrated sound judgment; problem solving skills; a focus on the objective; the willingness to give the credit for success to teammates; integrity; the ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds and opinions; the willingness to make a decision and stick with it; even temperament when under fire; and good old fashioned hard work. Tom Young stands out in all of these leadership behaviors.
Aiken Standard | Young’s candidacy endorsed
I rarely write letters of endorsement for political candidates. However, I am so impressed with Tom Young Jr., I am making this campaign an exception.
I have come to know Tom as a dedicated family man, with the highest degree of integrity and a profound desire to work for improvements in his hometown of Aiken and our great state of South Carolina.
He has refreshingly new ideas to resolve old problems and the enthusiasm it will take to bring them to fruition. At the State House, he will be a strong advocate for eliminating inefficient and wasteful spending. He will look after our hard-earned tax dollars.
As the owner of a small business, Tom knows what it takes to meet a payroll and will work diligently to reinvigorate our economy and to promote a business-friendly environment.
I have spoken to Tom personally and I know he will be a strong voice for new missions at SRS and, in particular, he is committed to leveraging the Savannah River National Laboratory as well as the Center for Hydrogen Research for greater economic benefits to the CSRA and the state.
Tom Young has continued to shine as a natural leader from a very young age and one who I believe will represent us well in Columbia. I encourage you to visit Tom’s website at www.youngforhouse.com for a firsthand look at his Plan for Palmetto Progress.
Tom has my vote and I hope come Republican Primary Election Day on June 10, he will receive yours as well!
Dale K. Haas
Aiken
Published in the Aiken Standard
Editorial and Opinion
5/18/2008
Aiken Standard: Young has tools to bring service
Tom Young has all the ingredients for serving well in the S. C. State House.
When we elect Tom Young on June 10 to represent District 81, he will deliver outstanding service as he has promised. Tom Young is a consistent man of his word. He is dependable, articulate and, most of all, honest.
Aiken Standard: Young has good plan for House
On June 10 we will go to the polls to select a successor for Skipper Perry’s seat in the S.C. House of Representatives.
As an age group peer of Representative Perry, I find it refreshing to have a group of fine young men vying for the seat.
Aiken Standard: Young has shown leadership skills
I’ve known Tommy, it’s difficult to stop calling him that, from his time of birth. We’ve watched him grow up within his church and grow from childhood into manhood.
Tom has always been conscientious, even as a child. He’s been involved in church, school and is generally a student of life. I always thought that Tommy had the best “people skills” that I had seen in a young person.
Aiken Standard: Young will make fine leader
A successful leader needs a positive attitude, an eagerness to learn and integrity while performing a large job or a small task.
Tom Young has kept the path of hard work, truth and honesty all his life. This is Tom when he’s in Aiken County and it will be the same when you vote to send him to Columbia.
Young endorsed for House seat
I am writing to endorse Tom Young for the House District 81 seat.
I have known Tom since he was a student in my senior English class at Aiken High School. He impressed me then with his studiousness (he was valedictorian of his class), his organization, and his leadership qualities as student body president.