During the primary, someone called me to ask if I’d be less likely to support Commissioner David King if I knew he had taken a “vacation to France paid for by special interests.”
That’s called a push poll. It’s designed to “push” public opinion by implying something that is not always true. Usually this takes place just prior to the election so there is not enough time for the other party to refute the implication.
A business trip is very different from a vacation — you don’t generally go on vacation with the lieutenant governor instead of your spouse. Commissioner King made the trip to serve as Buncombe County’s representative, at the request of GE Aviation, for their announcement of the plan to build a $125 million manufacturing facility in Asheville.
The destination of the trip, France, is where GE Aviation’s partner company in this project is headquartered. And the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is the “special interest” referred to in the misleading poll, taken by supporters of the Miranda DeBruhl campaign. King was doing what we wish commissioners would do: Be more concerned about Buncombe County than party politics.
If someone calls me again and asks if I’ll be more likely to vote for a candidate “if I knew about something,” I’ll simply tell them I don’t support campaigns that use push polls.
One has to wonder whether Debruhl would have the integrity to place Buncombe County’s best interest over partisan politics.
What a great opportunity Buncombe County residents now have to elect Nancy Waldrup, an independent commissioner who is not obligated by party politics, is a former business owner and has a 30-year history of teaching in the public school system.
In the general election on Nov. 4, voters will have a choice between partisan politics and an independent voice. I support Nancy Waldrop because she supports job creation in Buncombe County.
Beverly Gottfried
Candler
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