The Laurie Cole Sympathy Play
From today's Washington Post:
"The tone of the debate has been toughest in the council race. A Web site [historicvienna.com]...has sharply criticized Cole for her cool reception to a revitalization plan for Maple Avenue. "It's certainly something I haven't experienced in the past two elections," Cole said of the criticism. "It's hard. If someone wants to attack me on my record, that's fine, but to attack me personally, I don't understand it."
The Washington Post says our criticism is about Maple Avenue and Cole responds by saying that criticism is a personal attack?!
From a political strategy standpoint, this is a good move on Cole's part. Don't address the disagreements over policy; just whine that you are being attacked when you know your policy is indefensible. Shoot, for an incumbent, it might be the best strategy to use and will probably work. To thinking people, to those not drinking the Kool-Aid, this site lays out clear policy attacks against Laurie Cole. If she takes those policy attacks personally, well, that is her right. Bottom line: the sympathy play is not believable from Cole the career politician and attorney.
Laurie Cole Wants Your Sympathy for Her Bad Policy
Comments
Let me get this straight...on HistoricVienna.com Laurie Cole is being "attacked" by her own record?! If seeing yourself on film and seeing your words in print is offensive, then maybe the issue that needs to be examined is why is that so offensive?! The problem is not with the website but with what Laurie Cole says and does. The current administration in the Vienna does not want to be seen outside of the confines of their meetings in Town Hall. They really don't want the citizens to see what goes on because many times it is wrong. There are people in Town who want to open things up and have honest discussions. So, yes, Laurie, be offended by your own actions all you want. We are offended, too.
Posted by: Vienna Resident | April 22, 2006 12:01 PM