How to vote in the primaries

Appeared in the May 24, 2008, Standard Journal as part of the Our View section. Note that the upper valley (from Rexburg to Island Park in Idaho) is virtually a one-party region in favor of the Republicans, so primary elections are a bigger deal there than in other parts of the U.S.

Imagine yourself walking into a party. Some people you know, some you've heard of and others are strangers. You are told that as the guest of honor, you will decide which of the party-goers will lead the festivities. All attention is on you.
The other guests are eager to tell you their credentials and what they want to do with the party. You receive many a firm handshake and arm around the shoulder. When opponents disagree, the arguments are cordial.
But things quickly get ugly.
Opponents question opponents' personality, motives, career and education. They get followers who fling rumor after rumor like children in a mud pie fight. The room rattles with voices, some attacking, others defending.
When the time's up, everyone stops. Have you made your decision?
Welcome to upper valley politics.
We commend those who have chosen to risk sanity, reputation and maybe friendships to step into the public eye and promote their views. It takes guts.
But it's easy to get carried away, and we fear this is what some campaigns have done.
For the past weeks, our corner of Idaho has been whirlwind of voices thundering about So-and-So's deficiencies or foolish policies. (Oddly, no one can seem to get the facts in a political ad right.)
Few candidates don't have mud on their face or hands.
In this race, a common train of thought goes like this:
A) My opponent's wrong.
B) Thus, I am right.
We'd like to believe upper valley voters are smarter than to swallow such placebo logic.
While this type of fodder in some degree is typical to campaigns in general and is at least partially encouraged by the national scene's example, we are disappointed many local candidates and supporters haven't taken the higher road. It is possible to run on your own merits and not someone else's faults. Address the issues, address where you and your opponent differ, but be positive.
Of course, such recommendations come a little late for most campaigns.
Here are our recommendations to the voters:

• Don't believe everything you hear.
• We hate to say this, but don't believe everything you read, either.
• Some candidates have Web sites. Visit those. Compare what you've heard with what you read. Also, some candidates have stressed they're available to answer your questions. Take them up on the offer. Call them. Don't be antagonizing – you're calling for information, not to preach.
• Remember that just because you happen to know a candidate well doesn't always mean that person's right for the job. Keep an open mind.
• Spend more time on your decision than you would writing a shopping list.
• It almost goes without saying, but once you've made up your mind, vote in Tuesday's primaries. The future of the upper valley – not to mention a party – is in your hands.

Our View represents the majority opinion of the Standard Journal editorial board.