First off, let me admit that I haven’t paid ANY attention to the apparent NY Congress race leading up to election day.  I’m not rooting for anyone in this race. My brain is so accustomed to blocking out the bullshit from politicians that I’ve just been completely apathetic. 

This afternoon, I received a call from U.S. Congress candidate (NY’s 14th District) David Brumberg (apparently his name is Ryan, but the caller ID said David - strike one) and a recording left a five minute message on my answering machine bashing the other candidate - strike two.

Being curious about what kind of political candidate would pull these types of shenanigans, I googled David Brumberg (seriously, why did the caller ID say David if his name is Ryan?) and stumbled across his official campaign website.  Greeting me on the banner at the top of the page was the campaign message “Fiscally Conservative, Socially Liberal,” along with a smirking photo of Brumberg. Strike three. You’re out. 

The sad thing is, this guy may or may not stand for all of the things I stand for. But if you’re attempting to communicate your political message using tricky and insincere tactics, you’re not someone that I’m going to waste my time paying attention to.  Gaining a political following in this way isn’t attempting to form a meaningful community bond behind a cause.  Gaining a following this way only incites a mob of ignorant people who are chasing after an unexplained enemy without ever forming their own opinion.  

I would never vote AGAINST a candidate due to this incident without further researching of the issues. But if I do that research, I have a funny feeling it will only sway me to vote AGAINST Brumberg. 

Am I off base here? Should I give Brumberg a chance even after he tried to communicate his message to me in that way?