In the Agora: Politician Who Doesn't Seek Recognition Pilloried

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November 17, 2005

Politician Who Doesn't Seek Recognition Pilloried

The Evansville Courier & Press wrote a few days ago about Congressman John Hostettler's participation in a church volunteer group that was cleaning up after the tornados that hit Evansville nearly two weeks ago. Hostettler's involvement with the group was only revealed when he was noticed by the father of a local television journalist whose lawn Hostettler was cleaning up at the time.

Several Hoosier bloggers criticized Hostettler for what they saw as an obvious publicity stunt. One such post came from TakingDownWords. But the journalist in question showed up on the TDW site, and commented that TDW and others had the story wrong: that there had been no cameras at the scene, that the television station had given the story almost no play (and even then days later), and that (as the C&P article had strongly suggested) the incident was, really, a coincidence.

The vitriol that many direct at Hostettler is, perhaps, understandable as a consequence of many of his positions. But Hostettler never showboats. Indeed, it's more likely for his critics to bash him for being unavailable to comment. What is guaranteed, however, is that whatever Hostettler does, a chorus will rise up to denounce him.

Posted by Paul Musgrave at November 17, 2005 06:49 AM

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This barrage of criticism aimed at Hostettler is an example (see my post above for another) of perception besting reality in the public forum, and it disgusts me.

Please pardon my slight change of subject, but there is a Hostettler issue that is closely related to Paul's: Hostettler voted against Katrina funding, not because he hates helping people, but because he was concerned that the funding bill did not have enough controls and safeguards against poor use of the money. He was right, but that fact didn't stop the vitriol.

later, politicians on both sides of the aisle criticized the Katrina funding for not having enough safeguards against poor use of the money. Sound familiar? Hostettler, unwisely, believes that an ounce of prevention is better than hours of squawking about the failed cure. He was dragged through the mud for having this intuitive but politically hazardous view.

Fast forward to the aftermath of the November 5 tornado in Hostettler's district. Hostettler, of course, requested federal disaster assistance following the tornado. Uh oh. The critics (I have some stronger words in mind) got to play "hypocrisy gotcha" in addition to blasting him for being coldhearted to Katrina victims. Such perception-based argument plays to people who don't understand the reality of the situation. Hostettler didn't request poorly managed money, like what was contained in the Katrina bill; he asked for assistance. I submit that if the assistance package came back as sloppily drafted as the Katrina package, Hostettler would ask someone to re-write it.

The biggest problem is that this truth doesn't see the light of day, because his opponents are dancing to the perception of hypocrisy. I heard Ann DeLaney do this on Indiana Week in Review on Sunday, and it almost made me sick. DeLaney's a smart lady, and she knows better. But it is more politically advantageous to play to the uneducated emotions of Joe Indiana Voter than it is to report the truth, so she blasted Hostettler for his "hypocrisy," which couldn't be farther from reality.

Posted by: Adam Packer at November 17, 2005 12:06 PM | permalink

November 17, 2005

Politician Who Doesn't Seek Recognition Pilloried

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