WASHINGTON – With the Iowa presidential caucuses looming ahead, a nonpartisan religious alliance is stepping up pressure on candidates to conduct clean and civil campaigns.
The Interfaith Alliance, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting civility and respect in society, is urging candidates to abide by its “Framework for civility,” a pledge drafted in December encouraging candidates to refrain from attempting to “mislead voters regarding your public record” and to “reject personal attacks … in describing your opponent.”
The pledge also asks candidates to encourage civil behavior among their campaign staff.
Alliance officials have said the pledge is important because they believe voters will “regain faith in our democratic process” when candidates conduct their campaigns “with integrity, civility and respect for their opponents.”
Five presidential candidates have signed the pledge: Democratic Vice President Al Gore; Gov. George W. Bush, R-Texas; former Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J.; Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Each candidate agreed to be held accountable by the public if they violate the spirit of the pledge during their campaigns.
Pat Buchanan, Donald Trump, Steve Forbes, Gary Bauer and Alan Keyes did not sign the pledge when offered the opportunity to do so.
Share with others: