Politics can arouse passions. That is a good thing. We should feel strongly about and fight for principles in which we believe. But we should never descend to rumour mongering, personal attacks and bitterness.

Disappointment, yes; but not bitterness. Elation, yes; but not arrogance. That goes both for candidates and their supporters.

I guess maybe I was just lucky.

Over 50 years, I fought eight election campaigns and two nomination meetings. I lost three campaigns and one nomination meeting. In none of those were the attacks against me overtly personal, nor were my attacks against my opponents. They were based on differences in policy and principle.

The nearest I remember ever coming to receiving a direct, if mild, personal attack from an opponent came in a debate on CHEX-TV during my first mayoral run. It was from then-alderman John........

© Peterborough Examiner