Boyda: Election Shows Power of Negativity
Boyda: Election Shows Power of Negativity Save Email Print
Posted: 8:33 AM Nov 17, 2008
 Last Updated: 2:22 PM Nov 18, 2008
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Congresswoman Nancy Boyda says she tried to prove that she could win re-election to her 2nd District House seat without running attack ads against her opponent.

But instead, the defeated Kansas Democrat says her race against Republican Lynn Jenkins showed that the easiest way to win an election is by saying lots of bad things about your opponent -- even if they're not true.

Jenkins, the Republican Kansas state treasurer, beat Boyda 51 percent to 46 percent. Boyda said the margin shows "beyond a shadow of a doubt'' the capacity of negative campaigning to get votes.

Boyda told The Topeka Capital-Journal in her first extended interview since Election Day that "We will be the nationwide case history for why there has to be mudslinging, and the more the better.''

But a Jenkins spokesman attributed the Republican's victory to hard work on the campaign trail, a message of fiscal conservatism -- and a "better candidate.''

___

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Posted by: Paxico 'Hawk Location: Topeka on Nov 18, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Typical Democrat....whiner and loser, and still trying to find excuses....SAD, SAD! Out the door, Boyda, don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!
Posted by: admireed Location: montana5 on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Walking out of a presentation by a top military person showed true colors. You loose!
Posted by: Brian Location: Kansas on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:00 PM
What we need is actual campaign reform. Run a campaign on public financing. Don't allow candidates to buy there way to office. Eliminate the lobbiest buying the candidate so OUR elected official will represent OUR best interest and wants. Allow only truth in advertising in its full context. No twisting. If you can't win on your proven record and what you stand for (good or bad) you do not deserve to "represent" us. Just level the field completely. We deserve better! Our country deserves better! This goes for the Republicans and Democrates. They are all at fault. Washingtion has to change. If it doesn't, our Country does not stand a chance. We are not the rest of the world. We are the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and it is time we remember what that used to stand for. Be proud, stand tall and firm on the truth and what is right. It seems like in the name of "tolerance" all we do is bow down to what is wrong. Its impossible to please every group but it is possible to stand for what is right.
Posted by: George Location: Axtell ks on Nov 17, 2008 at 07:54 PM
She got what beat and quit whining as she was a Nancy Pelosi lackey and that,s why she got whipped
Posted by: sid Location: topeka on Nov 17, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Poor loser and I even voted for you
Posted by: Ginger Location: Manhattan on Nov 17, 2008 at 05:41 PM
I think Boyda ran a race of integrity. In September, when I called her campaign office, they were already aware of the event I had called to suggest she come to, since the Kincaid Fair is the biggest thing in that area. (For you that don't know, Kincaid is a town of less than 200 in Anderson County.) She came there before, but because of the whole economic fiasco, she remained in Washington to work. She was doing her duty and wasn't able to come home and campaign as much as she would've liked to have done. I don't think she's disrespected our troops, especially when you consider all the work she has done for veterans and active military. Sometimes, there gets to be a point that you can't take someone blowing smoke any more. I'm going to choose to say nothing negative on here about Jenkins. However, I do hope that Boyda wins the seat back in 2010.
Posted by: kssenior Location: NE KS on Nov 17, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Reference the following quote: "I think Nancy was a much better candidate, but I just could not let the Democrats have all the seats" Hmmm.. why not.. you gave it to the Repbulicans for 8 years.. and LOOK WHAT HAPPENED. Funny how one's viewpoint is party related isn't it?
Posted by: kssenior Location: NE KS on Nov 17, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Sorry Ms. Jenkins..it WAS blatant negativity, mudslinging and misquote and mist statements on your part. You did NOT run the better campaign..the DIRTY ONE yes, and apparently that IS better from the winning viewpoint. Enjoy all that wonderful work you're going to bring to the betterment of Washington.. as a junior representative of the minor party and with negativity as your byword. Ms Boyda ran a clean campaign...WARNING TO ALL.. if you're running for congress.. learn how to be dirty, negative and exploitive...
Posted by: Laughing on Nov 17, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Oh, maybe miss perfect needs to go back and listen to her ads again. She is not so innocent. The better of the two did win.
Posted by: Bob Location: Topeka on Nov 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
I would say, it was less of the mudslinging and more of fact that Boyda chose not to campaign much outside Topeka. There were a lot of people that would have been interested to know who the heck she was, but never saw her on the campaign trail. Lynn Jenkins may be right about the "hard work" they invested in that trail. But I still don't agree with negative attack ads. Right or wrong. If you looked at the election results, Boyda dominated in this region but lacked pretty much everywhere else. Maybe getting to know the people you represent by getting out there and campaigning would have helped. In this Democratic strong election, she should have had an easy victory.
Posted by: j Location: Topeka on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Would the mudslinging and lies be why the presidential election went the way it did too. Maybe if Boyda hadn't of disrespected our military by walking out on the briefing she would have won.
Posted by: Wiley Location: Hoyt on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Well DUH, if you describe a negative (which ms. boyda certainly is) is comes out as negative. I personally heard ms. boyda speak at a graduation - what should have been an encouragement to the graduates in fact was the most DISGRACEFUL political rant I every heard. Downright shameful !!!!! She lost the election because her constituents were sick of her behavior.
Posted by: voter Location: topeka on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Some people do vote the "PARTY LINE" and that's their RIGHT to choose come election time.
Posted by: justme on Nov 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Sore looser?
Posted by: K Location: manhattan on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Nancy, you are the better person. You can live with yourself knowing that. More power to you. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: CONCERNED Location: WAMEGO on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:48 AM
QUIT COMPLAINING, THE ELECTION IS OVER
Posted by: Erik Location: Topeka on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:27 AM
To say that I was shocked that Lynn Jenkins won is an understatement. Was that 51% watching the same debates? Anyway, It's old news now. Nancy, you ran a strong race and the debates were equally strong. However, Lynn did not win because she was the "better" candidate. I have literally heard more than a dozen people say, and I quote, "I think Nancy was a much better candidate, but I just could not let the Democrats have all the seats". How can they decide the future of our country with that kind of ignorance? Best of luck to you Nancy.
Posted by: phil Location: salina on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Mudsling, ah, how about your disrespect for the men and women in uniform, and your "juvenile" reaction to something you didn't want to hear.......
Posted by: Justice Location: Topeka on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:19 AM
There's been POLITICIAL MUDSLINGING probably since the dawn of time, when caveman Bob ran against Caveman Fred to be head of the tribe.
Posted by: MARIA Location: TOPEKA on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:17 AM
No one in any election since Reagan can say they were not negative. Those running for office should only have TWO months to tell us the lies they expect us to believe and not put the public through the hateful deceit THEY ALL DO FOR DAMN NEAR TWO YEARS. None of you keep your promises anyway. Lie to us once and get it over with.
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