Recently the Faith Action Network, a statewide lobbying organization comprised of more than 90 religious congregations, gave up plans to hold a candidate forum here in Vancouver’s 17th Legislative District. Why?
There are six candidates running. Right after the primary they were all invited to participate. Tim Probst and Sam Kim immediately agreed. Paul Harris responded but would never commit. Lynda Wilson, Vicki Kraft, and Martin Hash did not deign to reply — at all.
Admittedly, FAN is a progressive organization. But the people who would attend such a forum are still citizens and voters.
What does it say about candidates who think so little of their constituents that they will not even respond to multiple invitations? And what does it say about the likelihood that those candidates, if elected, will care one whit about the interests of the constituents who might have different viewpoints and priorities?
In the case of Wilson, Kraft, and Hash, their silence says more about them and their contempt for those who may not share their views, than anything they might have said in a forum.
