Earlier this year we endorsed Project Vote Smart again and urged legislative and congressional candidates to take its National Political Awareness Test.
The NPAT was administered between March 15-Monday for the primary. It will be resubmitted to candidates in the Nov. 7 general election. But if NPAT's results from the candidates in the state primary are any barometer of what to expect, our natural skepticism may be replaced by cynicism.
Of the 43 candidates running in legislative and congressional races in our circle of influence, only 13 took the NPAT, including four incumbents.
NPAT asks one principal question: Are you willing to make a good faith effort to provide citizens with your inclinations on issues you will face on voters' behalf if elected? If a candidate answers yes, they are then asked to display their willingness by answering questions on those issues. Candidates responses are posted on Project Vote Smart's Web site, www.votesmart.org, and on a Voter's Resource Hotline, (888) 868-3762.
Some candidates who don't embrace this survey undoubtedly are playing it safe by refusing to provide a "paper trail" on issues their opponents can use to attack them in the election.
Knowing what's in one's own best interest or in the interest of their community when you pull the curtain behind you in a voting booth is not easy. All of us can use the information NPAT provides to cast our ballot.
In this area's congressional race, Rep. Alan Mollohan, DW.Va., continues to snub NPAT, as did his Republican challenger, Delegate Chris Wakim, R-Ohio. Among candidates for U.S. Senate, Sen. Robert C. Byrd did respond, as did one of his potential GOP challengers, Zane Lawhorn.
In our three Senate districts we fared much better with three of seven candidates responding to NPAT — including incumbent Sen. Mike Oliverio, who's running unopposed. The Republican challengers in the 2nd and 14th Senate Districts, Wayne Weber and Eugene Jenkins, respectively, also responded.
Parts of Marion, Monongalia and Preston counties are comprised of six House of Delegates districts. Competing for 11 House seats in those districts are 26 candidates. Of those 26, eight took the NPAT. Four of those eight are incumbents, one Democrat and three Republicans, including delegates Dave Pethel, D-Wetzel; Cindy Frich, R-Monongalia; Deborah Stevens, R-Tucker; and Jeff Tansill, R-Taylor.
The four challengers who took NPAT include three Republicans, Jim Manilla, Harry Bertram and Rick Starn; and Democratic newcomer, Alex Shook.
These results are not encouraging. Though dynamic as democracy is in action, it can only succeed on the basis of known facts. Perhaps that attests to our dissatisfaction, all too often, with the winners — after the fact.