DALLAS, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- To honor the Sept. 11 anniversary, many Texas politicians vying for statewide office are heeding a plea from a group of rank-and-file Texas police officers to take a break from the constant barrage of radio and television commercials airing across the state.
The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, which represents about 13,000 officers across the state, came up with the idea, which caught on like wildfire with voters and most of the candidates running for the state offices.
"Nothing in recent history has shaken this country the way the events of 9/11 did and so when we pointed out it would be fitting to have some downtime, I think it connected with the way people were feeling," said Charley Wilkison, CLEAT director.
All but about three of the 18 candidates for statewide offices, ranging from railroad commissioner to U.S. Senate and governor, said they would observe the moment of political advertising silence to some degree.
"Politicians, if they don't understand anything else, they sense the mood of the public and the mood of the public is that we had a very nasty race in Texas that was getting out of control," says Wilkison. "It struck a cord with the populous, the real people."
Law officers and others approached the Austin-based association to organize the effort, which has been endorsed by newspapers and well received by the public, according to the organizers. Even some candidates in local races volunteered to drop their ads.
CLEAT asked for all statewide candidates to drop their radio and television spots from Sept. 1 to midnight Sept. 11. Some candidates agreed to that 11-day timetable, but others, like Republican Gov. Rick Perry, are observing a more limited schedule.
"I am pulling all of my campaign television ads between Sept. 7 and the 11th out of remembrance and respect for those who lost their lives in last year's terrible terrorist attack," said Perry. "Texans should focus on their families, the victims and our brave police, firefighters and military personnel during the Sept. 11 anniversary observances."
Perry, who succeeded former Gov. George W. Bush when he was elected president, is facing a stiff challenge from Democrat Tony Sanchez, a wealthy Laredo banker, oilman and rancher who is spending $1 million a week on his campaign.
The Sanchez camp has not said if it will change its advertising campaign for Sept. 11.
"For months, the Sanchez Campaign has planned to treat Sept. 11 with the respect and reverence it deserves," a campaign statement said. "Tony was in New York on that terrible day and lost friends and colleagues in the tragedy. We will join Texas and the nation in an appropriate expression of mourning."
The advertising spots in the Perry-Sanchez campaign have been some of the most negative in this year's Texas election, which started much earlier than usual. The two candidates could spend as much as $75 million before the Nov. 5 election.
Cal Jillson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University, said tragedies sometimes interrupt political campaigns, but it is "quite rare" for the anniversary of such an event to be employed in a call for a suspension of campaigning advertising.
"I think the candidates are worried if they don't show concern with the anniversary and with the families that might be focused on a tragedy that struck them directly, that they may pay a price for that," he said. "So I think they are complying defensively, as opposed to a firm conviction that they are morally obligated to do so."
Although campaign spending this year in Texas may set a new state record for an off-presidential year, CLEAT Director Wilkison said the mood of the country is not the same as it was in past election years.
"In the days after Sept. 11, 2001, the tone of the country changed," he said. "People would let you in line ahead of them at the supermarket or on the freeways. People were nicer to one another. If there was a legacy for those people who died, and those police and firefighters who rushed in knowing they would die ... If there was a legacy they could leave to all us, why don't we in politics in Texas just have 11 days of silence."
