When students make the leap from academia to politics, they become fair game for critique. However, looking toward the possibility of being an elected official — and, thus, public figure status — doesn't mean a personal attack is warranted. Ever.

The Badger Herald published an editorial Monday titled "Absolutely not," in which the board detailed Dane County Board Supervisor candidate Ashok Kumar's history at the University of Wisconsin. The editorial board picked a few of Kumar's most recent endeavors and explained why they believe these actions were initially (and still are) detrimental to students, who would be Kumar's constituents if elected.

Now, the editorial board may have had some valid points. This I'm not questioning or even analyzing. But what is jumping off the page is that these points were grossly overshadowed by overly critical language and childish pot shots. And Herald readers saw right through it.

The editorial provoked quite a bit of conversation on the Herald's website Monday, in which several of those who commented mentioned their distaste with Kumar standing as the only declared candidate. One individual wrote that he or she hopes there will be another candidate who surfaces merely for the sake of democracy, while others took issue with Kumar's politics — but, more importantly, they were disgusted with the editorial.

Why is this more important? Because the editorial board was apparently on the same page as several other students, but proceeded to lose their support with the piece. That's not a good sign in terms of the newspaper's credibility.

There were also a number of people who instantly defended Kumar on the website and a few who wrote in to the Herald. A lengthy letter to the editor in support of Kumar was printed two days later just as it should have been. The editorial page provided this alternate opinion in print, which is indeed commendable.

But what is also disappointing is that the message lurking at the bottom of the editorial and behind much of the statements was dead on: there must be more than one candidate.

In the days since the editorial ran, at least two more students have officially declared their candidacy. While this is great, I don't think this success can be attributed to The Badger Herald's editorial board. Perhaps the pure outrage in response to the editorial got the message across but that is a possibility I highly doubt.

It's a shame that strong points were hidden under such harsh wording because, at the end of the day, I'm not sure the editorial advanced a legitimate purpose. I hope the editorial board tones down its language and sticks to its points as this now-contested election continues into next semester.

While the election coverage will undoubtedly continue next semester, I will not. My term is ending just as planned and I'm heading to Europe. When I began this job, I promised a pure, slightly filtered critique of the paper on a weekly basis. With zero ulterior motives, this is what I've striven to do. I hope the person who continues the ombudsman experiment next semester is well received and I wish this person luck.

Cristina Daglas, former editor in chief of The Badger Herald, is the paper's ombudsman. Readers are encouraged to e-mail thoughts, criticisms and observations of the paper to [email protected] or call her at (608) 257-4712 ext. 168. Her column appears every Thursday on this page.