Janet Wolf To Get A "Free Ride?"

By contributor Jon K. Williams, Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition.

The News-Press trumpets "conspiracy" since several Democratic electeds have spoken in favor of Janet Wolf’s running for county board of supervisors. Would that there were enough cohesion in the local Democratic Party to actually conspire or, as a less biased and judgmental publication might call it, "reach consensus to effect positive change."

Personally I believe, as the News-Press says it does, that our community can only benefit from hearing the views of multiple candidates on a wide range of issues. I fear, however, that the esteemed daily journal will not be able to control its own libertarian urges when it comes to commenting on the discussion that ensues.

Today, before anyone actually declared intent to run for office, we heard from the paper that Ms. Wolf is the "hand-picked successor" of outgoing supervisor Susan Rose, a woman they call "beleaguered and polarizing, one of three off-putting twisted sisters leaving behind a legacy of ineffective representation."

Now that’s starting things off with an open mind, isn’t it?

The editorial concludes, "Party bosses want to give Janet Wolf a free pass to November." I challenge the News-Press to publish an accurate and well researched article explaining who these local "party bosses" are and how they wield such nefarious power.

I'm not suggesting there's a conspiracy on the part of a certain paper and those hoping to see the 2nd district go to a conservative candidate, but "Free Debate and Fair Reporting" needs to be our battle cry and all concerned readers have to help keep the News-Press editorial board in line.