“Some of them are probably saying what they think the Kitsap Sun Editorial Board wants to hear. They’re saying what they think gives them the best chance of getting the Kitsap Sun’s endorsement. Even the most casual observer knows the Kitsap Sun favors the Kitsap SEED proposal.”

On the latter point that is absolutely true of the editorial board. In fact, the Kitsap SEED question was posed by a community board member (not a Sun staffer) who made a point to state the board’s longstanding support of the project.

Regarding the first two sentences, that’s always a possibility. On that issue this board is likely to favor more a candidate who favors Kitsap SEED. Bear in mind I can’t speak for the board and have no say in who it endorses.

On the first two sentences, surely a politician facing a hostile audience will most often try to frame a response to make the least negative impact possible without straying from the position. There are not many I’ve seen who will give one answer to one group and the opposite one to the other. My interpretation of Gehring’s answer is that he’d probably support funding for the infrastructure and that he thinks the SEED concept is generally a winner. He’s got his concerns, though. Should he in the future state an opinion contrary to that in any situation, we’d have reason to question his sincerity.

My experience of Gehring in covering the council is that at least in his public comments he shows a willingness to question his gut instincts. He said he was initially against red-light cameras, but after more consideration he changed his opinion. I recall him doing that on other issues as well.

In this case, Haigh has a past record and I believed the KS and./or the other candidates would step in if she was caught in a ‘tell the Sun what they want to hear’ story and contrary to past comments or actions.

Yes, with some exceptions I do believe the Kitsap Sun is objective. I also believe that people have a tendency to rise to the level expected of them and no higher.
I don’t believe in the tooth fairy. I do believe in miracles, that most people are kind and that in the end, justice will be done.
Sharon O’Hara