Question:

What advice would you give 2010 candidates?

Answer from Abraham H. Foxman:

A candidate should appeal to voters to make decisions based upon his or her qualifications for office, integrity and political positions.   Appealing to voters along religious or ethnic lines is inherently divisive, and contrary to the American ideal of including all Americans in the political process.  Furthermore, appeals rooted in hate or xenophobia are offensive, counterproductive and contrary to our nation's true democratic values.  In this campaign season, we have already overdosed on personal attacks, hateful rhetoric, and calls for action rooted in bigotry.  We urge candidates to rise above the hateful rhetoric, to change the tone of our public debate, and to engage in and promote advocacy that is vigorous without being personal or hostile.
 
How a candidate campaigns is a good measure of how effectively that candidate might govern.  Candidates should keep in mind that once elected, they must serve their entire constituency and not just their supporters, and that candidates who reach office by attacking significant constituencies will find effective governing difficult.
 
Earlier this year, ADL urged our national leaders – and candidates – to commit themselves to restoring civility to our appropriately passionate partisan political debate.  It is timely now to underscore the importance of civility once again.  A truly effective candidate is one who engages in thoughtful and reasoned debate and rejects appeals to bigotry, racism and  prejudice.  That is an essential ingredient of leadership.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.