Negative Messaging Isn't the Problem

We’re all weary of political ads, and we all wish we could make them stop, especially negative messages. And yet, they just keep coming. Perhaps one day our political climate will change, but we are not there yet. There is, however, a genuine difference between negative campaigning and exposing a candidate’s relevant flaws and biases. Some Wyckoff residents are upset about the recent mailer regarding Tom Madigan. Unfortunately, this isn’t a smear campaign. Sadly, it’s all true.

Mr. Madigan assaulted a minor at a high school football game in 2010 and was found guilty in court in 2011 (that conviction was ultimately overturned on appeal). He recently introduced a resolution regarding sanctuary cities at a Wyckoff Township meeting citing data from a racially biased organization. These are the facts. And while we have always maintained that we will never support negative campaigning, a public servant's record is fair game in discussing a candidate's qualifications for office. That's what we're voting on, that's what we choose to support or reject, that's what we need to know.

If these were false accusations, Mr. Madigan should deny them. When the response to these facts is "outrage at negative campaigning" without a denial, we all know what that means: the facts are true and cannot be denied.

While we will always deplore taking the low road in politics with negative messages, in this case, the messaging isn’t the problem.

Paul Vagianos and Christine Ordway

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