Candidates, it's time to drop out...???

**The Watcher** · 06-07-2008, 12:18 PM

Well, its June and that means things are heating up as it relates not only to the temp., but to the Race for Walton County Sheriff.

Just a couple bits for thought.

Out of ALL the current candidates, who really has an actual campaign? Who has raised funds (if so, how much?). Who has numbers of voters supporting them? Who has spoken in front of community groups and citizens? Who is a CANDIDATE and who is a "vote taker"?

I already know the answers to these and other questions, but do you (the voter)?

My goal for this campaign is to accomplish two things: 1) Ensure the BEST Candidate for Sheriff is elected into office. 2) Remove the incumbent as he has consistently FAILED. That's it, call it an agenda or whatever you must.

Realize this, too many cooks spoil the soup. I think it is time some of the candidates realize this and instead of attempting to climb a mountain without the proper equipment, they should look to assit the candidate(s) that have the right tools to accomplish this goal. I am certain the all of the candidates have the right reasons for entering the race. However, it is time for a reality check.

I challenge all of the candidates to look at the number of supporters your competition, look at the funding ($$$MONEY$$$) they have acquired, listen to what people are saying. If you do this and you still feel you actually have a chance to win this election, then I cannot fault you for being unrealistic and stubborn, but we all have dreams.

I do not mean for this post to be critical of any one individual, I just feel that there are several candidates who would better serve our community (and themselves) supporting another to ensure that new leadership takes control of our County Law Enforcement.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this. This is only my opinion and I am interested in what other think.

W

**Johnny Post** · 06-07-2008, 06:25 PM

Usually I would disagree Watcher. I would typically put up some argument about the democratic process, and the right of anyone to run for office. In this case, however, I have to agree.

A reminder to all, Walton County has plurality elections. This means highest vote getter wins, and thus no runoff. If there is no opposing party, then the the primary serves as the general election (which is always the case, but without a run-off it is important to restate this point).

I keep hearing people complain about the current sheriff. If ousting him is the goal, then certainly a person should do all they can to support that. That does not mean running for that office, especially when other qualified candidates are also running.

In addition to the "look in the mirror" approach Watcher is suggesting, I hope some of these candidates would then talk to candidates with a legitimate chance to win about doing what is best for the common goal of electing a new sheriff. And please, before people complain about the whole "legitimate chance" statement, I don't like it either - but it is true in this case.

In statewide and national races, cost of a campaign is prohibitive. Likewise, the scope of a campaign winnows the field successfully prior to decision points, such as primaries. In this race, hearing from a few hundred people seems to keep people in the race, when it is clear that you need a few thousand to win. A few hundred merely takes up votes, and helps the incumbent.

By the way, I have a feeling this same sentiment may start emerging in the District 5 Commissioner's race. Not sure how I feel about that at this time, mainly because there is no common goal (i.e. ousting an incumbent). Hopefully, though, the number of people in the race won't adversely affect any quality candidate.

**idlewind** · 06-07-2008, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by The Watcher

Well, its June and that means things are heating up as it relates not only to the temp., but to the Race for Walton County Sheriff.

Just a couple bits for thought.

Out of ALL the current candidates, who really has an actual campaign? Who has raised funds (if so, how much?). Who has numbers of voters supporting them? Who has spoken in front of community groups and citizens? Who is a CANDIDATE and who is a "vote taker"?

I already know the answers to these and other questions, but do you (the voter)?

My goal for this campaign is to accomplish two things: 1) Ensure the BEST Candidate for Sheriff is elected into office. 2) Remove the incumbent as he has consistently FAILED. That's it, call it an agenda or whatever you must.

Realize this, too many cooks spoil the soup. I think it is time some of the candidates realize this and instead of attempting to climb a mountain without the proper equipment, they should look to assit the candidate(s) that have the right tools to accomplish this goal. I am certain the all of the candidates have the right reasons for entering the race. However, it is time for a reality check.

I challenge all of the candidates to look at the number of supporters your competition, look at the funding ($$$MONEY$$$) they have acquired, listen to what people are saying. If you do this and you still feel you actually have a chance to win this election, then I cannot fault you for being unrealistic and stubborn, but we all have dreams.

I do not mean for this post to be critical of any one individual, I just feel that there are several candidates who would better serve our community (and themselves) supporting another to ensure that new leadership takes control of our County Law Enforcement.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this. This is only my opinion and I am interested in what other think.

W

Watcher, I agree that some candidates have a steep hill to climb, but we must have faith in the system, these candidates will be weeded out at the polls. This includes the incumbent, who no informed voter will vote for.

Also, this incessant whisper campaign to get some candidates out of the race smacks of someone favoring a candidate in trouble trying to bail them out.

Whomever has the neccessary funding, works the hardest and has the best qualifications will prevail because the voters are not as dumb as some people think. The best information I can gather is that all the candidates have the required number of petitions ( although ralph's are somewhat suspect) so let them fight it out and may the best man win.

The same goes for all the other races including the Dist 5 race. The candidate who best educates the voters will prevail.

**wrobert** · 06-08-2008, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by idlewind

Watcher, I agree that some candidates have a steep hill to climb, but we must have faith in the system, these candidates will be weeded out at the polls. This includes the incumbent, who no informed voter will vote for.

Maybe I am being naive, but I do not believe so. There are very, very few informed voters, and so far, I have not seen much effort being made to inform them. And I have seen no effort on their part to become informed. If things are not changed, then each of those running have no one to blame but themselves for the situation. Qualifying starts in one week. I guess then we will see who is interested in really making a difference.

**seagrovegirl** · 06-08-2008, 02:18 PM

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

**sunspotbaby** · 06-08-2008, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

**seagrovegirl** · 06-08-2008, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

X2

**idlewind** · 06-08-2008, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

Maybe I am being naive, but I do not believe so. There are very, very few informed voters, and so far, I have not seen much effort being made to inform them. And I have seen no effort on their part to become informed. If things are not changed, then each of those running have no one to blame but themselves for the situation. Qualifying starts in one week. I guess then we will see who is interested in really making a difference.

I think one must differentiate between uninformed and unengaged voters. At this point only the political junkies, individuals with an interest in a race or the candidates and their friends/families are truly informed because they are engaged. The bulk of the voters will not begin to pay attention until one-two weeks prior to the election. Currently those voters are trying to figure out how they will pay for enough food to feed themselves and their families and how they can afford to pay for the gas to get to work. A candidate must figure out how to both inform the voters and engage them IN THEIR FAVOR. At present ralph has many voters engaged against him but no one running against him has thus far captured the imagination of anyone outside their circle. No other race seem to even be on the radar, although the house race seems to be heating up between Drake and Campbell. We will see how things go.

**idlewind** · 06-08-2008, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by seagrovegirl

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

My goodness my dear, you are indeed correct. How this happened I cannot explain, maybe someone can enlighten us all.

However, I refuse to believe that my fellow citizens could be duped yet a third time by our incompetent sheriff and his merry men/women.

Such a result is beyond the realm of comprehension.

**ShallowsNole** · 06-08-2008, 07:50 PM

**bite fingers**

**DuneLaker** · 06-09-2008, 07:40 AM

It is incredible how the voters are duped into voting for a sheriff or commission candidate. Name recognition or false and negative ads play a key role. There may be illegal campaigns out there right now raising lots of money, not reporting it, and campaigning under the radar. Calls are being placed, professional lobby and election operatives are working groups and individuals. One on one personal coercion to sign petitions or give money does happen. Even if they finally turn in their report at 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election, the general population that votes won't know about it until AFTER THE ELECTION. If you start seeing ads appear and there is no money or paper trail, beware. Those television, newspaper, and radio ads, along with direct mail are not free and must be paid in advance. There are election professionals operating in Walton County that know how to get around letting the public know in advance what they are up to. Unfortunately, many people do vote based on ads and commercials, especially if they see it on television. If it is on TV it must be true.

**seagrovegirl** · 06-09-2008, 07:59 AM

Walton Citizens...please go to as many political forums as possible. Don't take what you hear at face value...see for yourself. Decide for yourself and be informed. Ask questions!!! If most people went to the political forums I went to eight years ago, Ralph would not be in office.

**The Watcher** · 06-11-2008, 07:34 AM

It would appear that on top of all of the other issues and challenges the current sheriff faces, another bomb may have gone off during the past week or so. If true, this new "challenge" will turn the focus of the election to the candidates who will replace R.J. and R.J. will have "other things" to attend to.

I am sure it will hit the papers soon.

I am glad that several posters see the same opportunity I do with this election. We need to have new leadership. Thank you all for you comments.

**Andy A** · 06-11-2008, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by idlewind

Watcher, I agree that some candidates have a steep hill to climb, but we must have faith in the system, these candidates will be weeded out at the polls. This includes the incumbent, who no informed voter will vote for.

Also, this incessant whisper campaign to get some candidates out of the race smacks of someone favoring a candidate in trouble trying to bail them out.

Whomever has the neccessary funding, works the hardest and has the best qualifications will prevail because the voters are not as dumb as some people think. The best information I can gather is that all the candidates have the required number of petitions ( although ralph's are somewhat suspect) so let them fight it out and may the best man win.

The same goes for all the other races including the Dist 5 race. The candidate who best educates the voters will prevail.

Man, talk about idealistic! Dream on, idlewind, dream on. The system itself in Walton county belies the best man necessarily winning. Our best hope is that there is a Democratic candidate so there will at least be a runoff in November.

**ShallowsNole** · 06-11-2008, 08:08 PM

There IS a candidate running Democrat.

**idlewind** · 06-11-2008, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Andy A.

Man, talk about idealistic! Dream on, idlewind, dream on. The system itself in Walton county belies the best man necessarily winning. Our best hope is that there is a Democratic candidate so there will at least be a runoff in November.

If we do not trust the system to right itself, then all is lost. Ralph won eight years ago because people were tired of what was thought to be an unresponsive, out of touch administration. Four years ago was between that same group and ralph and the voters decided to give him another term to get things correct. This time, no one can honestly say that he deserves yet another four years to become the sheriff people hoped he would become. Therefore, someone else will be entrusted, we can only hope that this choice is a better one. If we fail, we will try again four years from now. That is the American way.

**Johnny Post** · 06-12-2008, 11:44 AM

I'm concerned to hear so many people saying its inevitable that we will have a new sheriff. While I support that goal, the idea of inevitability usually breeds complacency.

Let's be careful in assuming that the incumbent is beat. If you want it to happen work for it.

The point of the initial post is that too many candidates in a plurality race works in favor of an incumbent. This is a virtual truism in political circles.

So, please, don't scoff at the idea we may end up with a third term of Sheriff Johnson. Instead, do all you can to further the cause of electing a new sheriff.

**Red Dawg** · 06-12-2008, 04:21 PM

This site has the candidates who have registered. Also financial statements.

Danny Griffith is a democrate running for sheriff.

http://www.waltondemocrats.org/?q=node/222

**The Watcher** · 06-13-2008, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Johnny Post

I'm concerned to hear so many people saying its inevitable that we will have a new sheriff. While I support that goal, the idea of inevitability usually breeds complacency.

Let's be careful in assuming that the incumbent is beat. If you want it to happen work for it.

The point of the initial post is that too many candidates in a plurality race works in favor of an incumbent. This is a virtual truism in political circles.

So, please, don't scoff at the idea we may end up with a third term of Sheriff Johnson. Instead, do all you can to further the cause of electing a new sheriff.

I agree with your statement, however, very interesting things have been developing as it relates to our sheriff. I, for one, am not complacent as it relates to planning his going away party (to be held in a phone booth as no one will attend), but I am very optimistic...

W