Endorsement opportunities respectfully declined
To the editor:
To the citizens and voters of Cape Coral Florida. I am the challenger in the Nov. 3, 2009 general election for the Cape Coral District 4 City Council seat. I face a very entrenched and well-financed incumbent.
I have recently been invited to participate in an endorsement interview with both the News-Press and Cape Coral Daily Breeze editorial boards. The stated intention in the invitation from the News-Press is to “work our best to keep the citizens informed of who you are to help them make the best decisions possible.” The video interview to be conducted is scheduled for 30 minutes in duration and then “brief portions” will be posted on News-Press.com.
Having grown up in the Chicago, Illinois area and living in various parts of the United States in my adult years I have come to several experienced and educated conclusions. Predominately, that the power of the press and the finances required to exert that power can overwhelm even the most principled individuals and publications. I have also witnessed the best intentioned publications go astray of truth and principals due to human failure both intentional and accidental. And finally, that all human efforts can encompass good, evil and sometimes a bit of both. With this knowledge in mind I have long held the principled belief, that the power of the press should never be used to influence, support or undermine issues, people or events. The use of this power is only targeted at one species on earth, human beings. I do not believe that in two hours any group of individuals can learn sufficient knowledge in which to “make the best endorsement decision we can “concerning any candidate or other issue. The power of the press when used in the purest form is simply to communicate, never dictate.
The Cape Coral Daily Breeze provided six written questions which were answered and printed in their entirety without editing on Sept. 5, 2009. Should you have any additional questions, please provide them and I will answer in detail for unedited publication.
Therefore I will respectfully decline, without prejudice your invitation to be endorsed or possibly not endorsed as this would conflict with my principals stated above. If the editorial board feels compelled and must endorse somebody to “make the best endorsement decision we can” your choice will be simplified by awarding this endorsement to any remaining candidate that feels the need to be endorsed. I will utilize that available time to continue my primary endorsement goal: that being the majority support from the voters in the Nov. 3, 2009 general election. That will be the only endorsement that really matters and I will thoroughly accept.
Chris Chulakes-Leetz
Candidate for District 4, Cape Coral City Council