Lt Governor's Race: Are Sam Page's ads anti-bicycle?

Sam Page

Peter Kinder at the Tour of Missouri

Reading the statements of Lieutenant Governor Candidates Peter Kinder and Sam Page, the impression is the both candidates are equally supportive of bicycling and the Tour of Missouri.

However, the situation is a little more complicated than that:

Lt Governor Kinder has quite literally been the leader and head organizer of the Tour of Missouri from the point where it was nothing but a "good idea"--no financial support, no organization, no track record--through its first two successful years. At the end of those years it has brought in more than 800,000 spectators, top bicycle teams from across the world, over $50 million in economic impact, and now the top international ranking of 2.HC, which puts the Tour of Missouri on par with the Tour de Georgia and the Tour of California.

As the Lieutenant Governor race has developed, Sam Page has clarified via email and other communication with MoBikeFed and bicyclists who have enquired, that although he is critical of details of Tour of Missouri implementation, he does support continuing the Tour of Missouri.

But the ads he has been running throughout the campaign have been criticized by many bicyclists as having an anti-bicycle tone.

Watch the ad carefully and decide for yourself. Is it merely pointing out that funding for the Tour should be handled better or is it disparaging the Tour itself as sort of a silly event that leaves spectators making dismissive gestures?

Is it purposefully playing to that part of the electorate that has an existing anti-bicycling bias--and do those of us who bicycle regularly want to see those anti-bicycle sentiments given this kind of high-profile support?

And what's the point of the final image--driving a truck with bicycles in the back is ridiculous and selfish?

Like most all political ads, this one suggests more than it says outright, so you really will have to watch it yourself and judge:

Here is my opinion: The words of the ad say one thing (and are perhaps a valid criticism of some details), but the visual images say something quite different: they are clearly making fun of Kinder for his association with a silly and inconsequential bicycle event.

And by association, bicycling as a silly thing for any candidate to be dealing with.

Whether you support or oppose Page as a candidate, it would be very appropriate to contact the campaign and let them know how you feel about this advertisement--which has played heavily across Missouri during campaign season:

info@sampage.com

More info:

• Watch both Kinder and Page discuss their positions here.
• An AP article covers the controversy.
• Another blogger gives the Tour of Missouri issue to Kinder but decides to vote for Page in the end.