Conservative candidates?
Conservatives have won the rhetoric war, but words hold no ground without accountability
From, The Kentucky Citizen Digest, January/February, 2001.

When producing the Kentucky Candidate Information Survey, it is not only critical that the statements on it be neutral, that all candidates are treated alike and that it goes to print without editorialization, but it is also pivatol that the results are not exaggerated or printed in a way that can allow misinterpretation.

Two things are certain about this survey: first, that all 116 candidates in a state or federal race were approached with the survey and second that 97% of them chose to respond.  This is an exceptional rate of response, indicating that the candidates saw it as fair and unbias.

Beyond these facts, little is known for sure.  Clearly, as was illustrated in the tables (See pp. 2-3), this year’s participants appear to fall on the conservative side of the political pendulum.  Does this then mean that one may expect to see this shift affect legislation in the next General Assembly?  Not necessarily.
The reason is simple—words are just words until they are put into action.

One thing that this year’s responses seem to illustrate, is that in the state of Kentucky, conservatives may be winning the rhetoric war.  What does that mean?  Well, it means that whether or not most candidates for office are in actuality conservative, they at least believe that appearing to be so, will be to their advantage come election day.  Additionally, it means that candidates feel that they must address the issues conservatives are pressing the most, such as government reform and taxcuts.  However, if the responses do not in reality match the true opinions of legislators, then citizens can not expect policy changes in the future.

Another pitfall which occurs because of the current timing of legislative sessions in Kentucky, is that a legislator may have well over a year between the time he/she is elected, and the time a vote is cast on any issue.

All of this is not to say that candidates are purposely deceptive or to suggest that they will intentionally vote in opposition to their stated beliefs; however, it never hurts to remind legislators of their campaign promises.

In light of this, the survey was intended not only to help voters make an informed choice, but to utilize in the future as a tool to encourage accountability.  Unfortunately, a citizen’s job does not stop when he/she elects a candidate for political office, rather that act is simply the starting block from which to begin participation.
 
 

Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander, Executive Director Martin Cothran, Senior Associate Policy Analyst