|
|
Rest the politics of revenge.(The High Road)
- Article from:
-
Campaigns & Elections
- Article date:
-
June 1, 2008
- Author:
- Wolpe, Rabbi David
|
Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2008 Campaigns & Elections, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Q: Is it ethical to stay in a race you cannot win to damage your opponent?
A: 'Cannot' is a parlous word. Mistakes and unforseen events can make the 'evident' winner an also-ran. It's difficult on prudential grounds to insist a candidate has no chance. Little chance, certainly; no chance, never.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
However, it is unethical to seek to damage your opponent out of personal pique, Politics is not a vehicle for revenge. To treat it as such damages the public trust, the unspoken bond between a people and their presumptive representative.
But if a candidate believes the leading opponent would be damaging to the national interest, you could make ...