BIG PICTURE, LITTLE RACES
Skipping any parocial considerations for a moment, I think the local aldermanic races contain a warning for area democrats and a little bit of encouragement for area republicans.
White House, State House, Congress and Governor's mansion all occupied by dems. Where the candidates were both presentable, the voters voted for diversity and opposing views (Republicans).
Who knows where that sentiment will be in 20010 and 2011 but it's a clear instruction manual to the Republicans, find some talent and you have a shot, and a clear warning to dems, your candidates need to be prepared to make the case for their retention/election. In other words, the two party system is alive and well here and the presumption, for now, might be the tie-breaker lies with an energetic and prepared Republican.
The good news for dems is that the warning shot was fairly modest and there is time to adjust, upgrade, improve and plan.
posted by UMRBlog @ 09:51
24 comments
24 Comments:
I think your assessment was very fair.
Considering how close Bellis was, and how low the turnout was, it seems a competent and prepared candidate would have easily taken the mayoral race.
All I can figure is the "powers that be" are comfortable with the cozy and profitable status quo, so fausted upon us a candidate that was in no way prepared.
I don't know much of Quincy politics, and am basing my statements on a partial viewing of the debate. Bellis seemed to have no idea of what he would do, except consult with local leaders, and not be Spring.
Are there any true public servants left, or is public office currently only sought for personal gain?
At least Payson can sell beer now.
Hey TC, guess that third ward was a little further out than just 75 votes ehhh?
Hey congrats on keeping the big prize...
Funny thing is that I nailed the citywide low turnout but I thought the third ward would be four or five hundred votes higher. As it turns out that wouldn't have made a difference in the outcome but would likely have made it closer.
Just a good, tough, clean race by Kyle with a boost from the democrat global monopoly pushback I discussed above.
TYFCB
The Dems might want to open the doors to the younger generation. Bring some new life whenever they appear in the public eye. Integrate new ideas along with old wisdom. Survival depends on new people and new educated ideas for the future.
0840,
Two sides to that. To some extent, we are victims of our own success. When our party faced extinction back in 1985, a close group of four or five folks engineered some breathtaking successes and brought us back to parity (at least in low turnout elections). There's a lot of a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" out there.
On the other hand we have some truly shining stars hyperactive in our party. For the most part, they want to help others and do not want to hold office themselves. But you're right, we have to find ways to extend greater trust and inclusion to these young stars in whatever capacity makes them comfortable. I'm thinking of three right now who can add capabilities we don't have now--and they are ready to go.
TYFCB
How did the turnout in 09 compare with the turnout in nov 08? I'd be curious what would happen if the mayoral election co-incided with the national election.
1985 got a small shot across the bow. The worm is starting to turn.
It's a bit early to identify trends from one, low turnout race. Not saying you're wrong. Just saying there is insufficient data to make that call right now.
The planets are aligned correctly for the GOP to do well but you have to find more Moores and fewer Bellis/Davises.
TYFCB
Your need to belittle Bellis might have some credibility if the last race you were involved in as a candidate wasn't the current high water mark for a Republican candidate. Take a look in the mirror before you call others poor candidates.
I think four months and 46% is a shot across the bow of 1985 . Underestimating the opposition has always been a down fall of regimes .
Your one of the few adults at the table , we both know you saw what happened . We also know that there is a Cold War brewing in that fourth ward area .
1706,
Read what I wrote more carefully. I simply said what we have for data doesn't constitute enough for a trend. I'm not underestimating anything.
TYFCB
1504,
That you don't understand the difference between the Adams County electorate in a presidential reelection race by a GOP incumbent with an 80% voter turnout and a citywide race with only the non-comatose voting shows how much attention should be paid to your comments.
I have no problem with Bellis. Other than poetic license in this thread, what have I said that wasn't true?
You can peel the personal attack and eat it.
Here's some of your "poetic license".
I, for one, missed the camo look and the obsession with children in the park.
If they rest of the countywide dems running back then were humiliated like you were, you might have a point. They weren't and you don't. Peel and eat that.
We can't wait to see your three youth specials , we grow weary of punching Buck around .
1823,
Check your facts. No Local Dems won that year and you already know that's not the point. It's an entirely different electorate. In the last three four decades, the GOP has four takeaways in Leap (Presidential years) and the Dems have one. It's really pretty simple.
Nice Quote. Based on truth. Camo, in the park, mentioned children four times in 15 seconds. In law enforcement, we call that "probable cause".
You want to compare campaign managements successes, list yours.
TYFCB, even with a 'tude.
While you two argue over camo and elections , I want to know the three youths that will face the energized meat grinder . I may know one or two .
Are you going to pretend you didn't just whack a comment, or would you like it resubmitted. You can dish it, but you sure as fuck can't take it.
Pottymouth 1119
I'm not pretending anything.
Whacked a comment that was factually incorrect and about something well beyond the post.
I sometimes whack comments. You have no constitutional or other right to have your comments published here, on or off topic.
Your comments on the implications of the recent election are welcome in this thread....or you can start our own blog and publish anything your little heart desires.
TYFFCB
Out of curiosity, what part does partisanship play in municipal elections?
I live out in the RICO boonies and don't pay much attention to what happens in the QCs, but I do know they have a mixed bag there---Rock Island is non-partisan, Moline and some others are Dem v. GOP, some villages have quaint names for their political entities that reflect another era like the "People's Party" and the "Citizens's Party".
So my question to you is what influence does partisanship have in Quincy (or municipal) elections? Aside from the label, how is a GOP mayor/alderman different from a Dem mayor/alderman?
I know how this plays out in national politics (spend & spend vs. tax & spend) but what does the identification of political party mean for municipal elections, if anything?
Nice of Ed to give Vern the private citizen a forum to cry in , I am sure Vern's tears help circulation.
0913,
When the other team's pitcher is throwing at your best hitter, you don't complain to the Umpire, the crowd or a sportswriter.
You have your pitcher plunk their best hitter in the ribs.
Nobody else can control what happens in the field of play but the players.
TYFCB
So your pitcher is Chuck ? Is Vern the crazy stratomatic guy in the stands then ? Is Spring the bat boy ? There are nine innings in baseball and a very long season .
0757,
By personalizing the comment you miss the point. These things should be taken care of between the contestants, not by some outside arbiter or spectator.
Big league teams have 11 or 12 pitchers at any given time. The plunk can be delivered by any of them. The other team will recognize it when it arrives. It has always been the most effective way to preserve the integrity of the game.
TYFCB
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