More on the Payne endorsement

My old boss defends the endorsement of Vernon Payne, and it's an honest argument to be sure. I've got no problem in saying that it's a shame that J.T. Jones bumbled around while searching for an answer to an easy question.

Still, I have a hard time faulting him for one poor answer in one debate. Jones is a dedicated individual with a diverse resume that gives him a wealth of experiences to draw from. Payne, no doubt a good man, has served in his capacity for 30 years and watched as the graduation rates for Clarke County's schools fell and test scores dipped.

I just have a hard time rewarding Payne for those struggles during his tenure, but also for his stubborn refusal to adopt needed (and required) ethics reforms. In fact, the same editorial staff told the public to hold them accountable, but now they refuse to follow their own advice based on, again, one fumbled answer.