Position On Endorsements

By Jon Patton

This is a copy of an e-mail sent to Marianne Ratcliff, the Assistant Opinion Page Editor of the Star Free Press, following the scheduled "candidate meeting" with the Editorial Board of the paper. I think it speaks for itself, and is not intended to imply that the Star offered an endorsement of any kind.

Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 12:52:40 -0700

To: "Ratcliff, Marianne" <Ratcliff@insidevc.com

Subject: Re: yesterday's meeting

Marianne - I was truly glad to have met you in person. I so value people with integrity.

One of the things I committed to in undertaking this "campaign," and an essential aspect of coming forward to do this, was to make myself available to anyone who requested my presence. I feel that is the responsiblity of someone who is either running for public office, or who is actually in office.

The other thing is that I made a promise to myself regarding my integrity. That promise was essentially to move through this process with my integrity intact, hold true to my values, utilize my intelligence, and put forward what forward what I believe the "silent majority" - for lack of a better term - wanted me to represent for them, even if people and special interest groups were not going to embrace what I had to say. Because this is not a mission "to get elected at all cost." This is a mission to be true.

So, I am not accepting any endorsements, from any groups or associations. The only endorsement I am seeking, and will accept, is the public's.

Looking forward to meeting you again soon.

Sincerely, Jon