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GUIDELINES

Whether you are a seasoned politician or a newcomer to politics, getting your message out through campaigning is usually the difference between winning and losing. Novice and insecure campaigners succumb to negative campaigning against opponents when they run out of positive things to say to say about themselves. This creates a negative, adversarial atmosphere and  no one wins. If you are running for office, we assume you have the desire, knowledge, courage and  the time to devote to your community in trying to make it a better place to live, work and play. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that is you start off on the wrong foot with a negative campaign it's difficult to turn back to the positive. The negativity will follow you.

Here are the TRUTH in Politics Guidelines:

• Talk truthfully about what YOUR platform is

• Try not to talk about your opponents platform in a negative way, unless factual

• You may be factually negative about ISSUES

• Try not to be negative about your opponents issues, unless factual

• Let voters know what your qualifications are

• Try not to list any opponents negative qualifications, unless factual

• List your accomplishments

• If you use a comparison chart between you and your opponent, it must be factual and accurate, not vague or misleading

• List your endorsements, recommendations

• Try not to use this against your opponent negatively; just emphasize why you received the endorsement(s) and why it is important to the voters

• Use factual telephone scripts to encourage voters to vote

• Try not to use negative comments on telephone campaigns, this is you or those calling for you, unless it is factual

You know the difference between total truth and partial truth, stretching the truth, misleading statements, fiction, falsehood, or "little white lies." You know the difference between positive and negative. Talk about YOU and what YOU want to accomplish in the next term.

• Other:
  If your submitted advertisement is approved for TiPs certification:

  • TRUTH in Politics logo must appear in the top right corner of printed material (front or back), print ads, flyers, etc.

  • It may appear anywhere in a TV ad, either verbally or visible logo.

  • Radio ads should have verbal "This ad certified by TRUTH in Politics" anywhere in ad. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may be terms for certification removal.
    No exceptions without prior written approval.
     

• Print ads submitted must be in final draft-proof form

• TV ads should be submitted VHS or DVD format

• Radio ads should be submitted by cassette tape or CD format
  Material submitted will become the property of TiPs for verification that content has not changed. TiPs holds no responsibility for content or damage. All material will be held in confidence and not released to anyone but the candidate or designatee whether or not certification is received. 

• Typical 48 hours hold time. Certification will be done by a minimum of 3 TiPs volunteers. Their decision is final, however, material  can be re-submitted for certification after changes to address deficiencies.
   

• If material is rejected, the deficiencies and objectionable negative material against opponent will be noticed.

• Certification is free and provided in writing and no compensation will be allowed for volunteer service. TiPs is a non-profit volunteer group that is a registered non-partisan Political Action Committee (PAC).

• TRUTH in Politics will not endorse or recommend any candidate, political party, platform, or referendum, but will only certify the ad content not to be false, misleading or personally negative towards any other candidate.
   

• TRUTH in Politics will not provide suggestions, guidance or anything in reference to content with the exception of the TiPs Guidelines that speak for themselves.
   

• TRUTH in Politics will not be held responsible for any ad content, positive or negative.

Remember, that negative campaigning can go both ways!
What voters really want to know is what YOU will do for them,
not what someone has done or has not done.

Remember . . . The Truth Will Tell.

Copyright © 2004 TRUTH in Politics.us.  TiPs is not affiliated, endorsed or approved by any political candidate, party or affiliation.
This non-profit entity is for the sole purpose of providing campaign fairness and will be held harmless and without legal consequence regarding any matter.
TiPs logo may not be used without written consent.