Endorsing the art of persuasion

So today marks the end of endorsement season, that heady time each even-numbered autumn when newspapers such as this one are buried in reader accolades and subscription renewals.

Well, not exactly.

Our editorial board made endorsements in 14 races, with seven nods to Democrats, six to Republicans and one to a candidate nominated by petition for county supervisor. We endorsed Democrat Bruce Braley for U.S. Senate and Republican Gov. Terry Branstad. We supported Democrat U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack and backed Republican Rod Blum for Congress in the 1st District. Some of our picks were exceedingly difficult to make. Our level of enthusiasm varied.

Of course, our U.S. Senate pick generated the most reaction, especially with the added element of Republican nominee Joni Ernst declining our invitation to meet with her. She skipped meetings with several Iowa newspapers, and many thought she made the right call.

'I applaud her decision to not waste valuable time with the editorial group since you had already taken the cloak off your support of Braley. All you people wanted was to feign objectivity ... by talking with her anyway; we all know where the heart of The Gazette staff resides,” one reader wrote to me.

Few things we do are more misunderstood than endorsements. We're not telling anyone how to vote. Basically, we take editorial positions on countless public policy issues, so it makes sense to us to also weigh in on who will be making those policies. The process also gives us a valuable opportunity to meet candidates and get to know them in a setting away from the noise, glare and hyperbole of the campaign.

And the fact is, our agreement or disagreement with a candidate on particular issues is only one piece of the endorsement puzzle. We're easily as interested, actually more interested, in how well a candidate can articulate his or her ideas and policy positions. Showing a depth of knowledge, displaying an ability to defend a position, having a desire to persuade even those of us who may disagree all are attributes we look for in candidates for offices at all levels.

Blum did far better in that setting than his opponent, Democrat Pat Murphy, so Blum is our pick. Branstad is excellent in small groups, and his performance in answering our questions was a major factor that led us to make him our pick, with reservations. Could Ernst have persuaded us that she's the best candidate? She didn't bother trying.

I know the art of persuasion in politics ain't what it used to be. Campaigns mostly are about whipping up loyal supporters while smacking opponents into submission, or at least disillusionment. Trench warfare isn't known for its open-mindedness. It seems positively quaint to imagine a candidate winning because she explained her ideas and changed people's minds.

I guess endorsements are quaint, also. Ernst's strategy may become the norm. I've heard candidates are better off playing it safe instead of risking a gaffe in front of media types. And besides, newspapers are irrelevant.

But as long as we're here, we're going to extend invitations and ask questions. It's at the heart of what we do.

l Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@thegazette.com