Every once in a while, political apologies seem to lack sincerity.
For example, Norann Dillon, a Republican who is challenging incumbent DFLer Terri Bonoff in Senate District 43 (west suburbs), sent a flier to voters that claimed she had the endorsement of former Gov. Al Quie.
This came as a surprise to Quie, who told Dillon he had not endorsed her. Dillon agreed to explain the mistaken endorsement on her website, which she did, sort of, earlier today.
“Earlier this year, Gov. Quie, who lives in my district, expressed support for my campaign and I thought this statement to be an endorsement,’’ she wrote. “It was a misunderstanding between Gov. Quie and myself and I apologize fo using his name on my recent mailings.’’
Then, came Dillon’s clinching line.
“Told you I wasn’t a politician,’’ she wrote. Next to that line was one of those little smiley faces.
Cute?
Bonoff , who does have the endorsement of former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson, is not amused, even by the little smiley face. She noted that the flier with the “mistaken” endorsement went to thousands of people in the district.
“You make a mistake about an endorsement from a respected former governor?’’ Bonoff said, “… and then you apologize with a cute little smiley face? I find that disturbing.’’
Disturbing how? What is the nefarious intent Bonoff is imputing?
Let’s be honest about this incident, shall we? Why would anyone intentionally misrepresent an endorsement? It would be an act sure to backfire, which would serve no rational purpose. This was a regrettable misunderstanding between Dillon and the governor.
Why would a candidate intentionally misrepresent an endorsement? The harm done in it being made public that it was an intentional misrepresentation holds more chance for disaster than the gain to be had from the endorsement. Any logical person would have to assume that the error was a misunderstanding.
When a candidate missteps, and honestly corrects the issue openly and publicly, why should anyone be so quick to judge intent?
Furthermore, I find Senator Bonoff’s statement that she finds little smiley faces disturbing… rather disturbing.