IT IS SAID THAT DURING THE TIGHT 1758 RACE FOR VIRGINIA’S HOUSE OF BURGESSES, GEORGE WASHINGTON DIDN’T BOTHER WITH FLYERS, BANNERS OR OTHER PARAPHERNALIA. Nope, the future Father of our Country spent his entire budget on 160 gallons of booze. With that, he liquored up 390 voters in hopes of swaying the election.
Of course, this was a fairly common practice back then. If throwing campaign bashes were the rule today, candidates would do well to seek advice from this year’s Best Sommelier, stop by the Best Selection of Craft Beers or stock up at the Best Selection of Liquor. At the very least, they could get some face time at the Best Place to See and Be Seen.
Since 2020 is an election year, campaign traditions – the slogans, the characters, the people and all – made for a perfect Best of Monterey County running mate. Of course, the art of running for office has changed over the years. No longer will alcohol suffice to bring voters to the polls. Now candidates for national office spend three-quarters of their budgets on television spots. They must come up with slogans, whether simple (“Hope”), catchy (“Tippecanoe and Tyler Too,” “I Like Ike”) or blunt (“It’s the economy, stupid”). Admittedly, the smear campaigns still lack refinement.
Think things are bad today? Thomas Jefferson’s people smacked John Adams by calling him a “hideous hermaphroditical character” while Adams supporters in turn questioned TJ’s breeding, firing up the racist base. It’s fortunate that this year’s Best Of Monterey County candidates showed more respect. The campaign ads leading up to this year’s readers poll merely asked for the public’s vote.
The Best Of Monterey County is an example of democracy in action. Each year we ask our readers to cast their ballots for the best of what the area has to offer. As in any election, some candidates do better than others at connecting with voters and urging them to the polls, through everything from word of mouth to social media (no Russian interference here). Which means there are many fine, qualified candidates that fall short when it’s time for pundits to call the election.
Oh, well. As Bobby Kennedy said, democracy is messy.
The readers have spoken. In these pages you will find what they consider the Best Place to Drink Next To A Celebrity, the Best Event, the Best Organic Grower, the Best Bar for Darts, the Best Martini – see, Washington was on the right track – the Best Coffee Shop, the Best Thai Restaurant, the Best Attorney and more. There are close to 300 listings. And if you want to see what the districts might look like with a little editorial gerrymandering, check out the Editors’ Picks. – Dave Faries
BEST OF Contributors
Marielle Argueza
Erik Cushman
Mary Duan
Tonia Eaton
Dave Faries
Paul Fried
Ivan Garcia
Rory Glass
Cypress Hansen
Jesse Herwitz
Matt Koller
Linda Maceira
Pam Marino
Chloé Mitchell
Keely Richter
Sara Rubin
Walter Ryce
Parker Seibold
Asaf Shalev
Gabriel Skvor
Stuart Thornton
Taryn Yudaken
Bradley Zeve
Editorial Direction
Dave Faries
Design Direction
Karen Loutzenheiser
Winners’ Photos
Parker Seibold