It Wasn’t Funny, No One’s Laughing

Tensions have been running high on the stump this election season. But our system can’t serve democracy well if candidates are bullied into silence. We are all losers when agitators whip up an atmosphere that has the effect of deterring a candidate from speaking.

That’s exactly what happened in Newport Beach Tuesday when Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Boxer was intimidated into canceling a news conference.

Some young supporters of Republican opponent Bruce Herschensohn pushed their way into the gathering, yelling angry slogans and raising everyone’s blood pressure. In response, the Boxer campaign moved the candidate’s appearance elsewhere.

The Herschensohn campaign--which has championed public debate--distanced itself from the disturbance. Herschensohn said Wednesday, “I never want any of our supporters to be disruptive.”

Indeed there is no justifying disruptive name-calling and jostling on either side of the political fence. Some supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton engaged in unseemly name-calling at an Anaheim rally for President Bush on Sunday.

Though some rally-goers may be guilty of little more than glandular overenthusiasm, others such as Assemblyman Gil Ferguson ought to know--and speak--better. The Newport Beach Republican, looking on during the demonstration against Boxer, called the candidate’s supporters “ding-a-ling women.” Not right. The public is better served by civil debate, not crudeness.