I have basically stayed out of the fray in local politics this year. My wife believes it is because I worked so hard in the last local election that I got burned out. And while I have to admit that I was disheartened by the results of the sheriff and congressional races, I was pleased by many of the other results - especially those in my precinct where I worked so hard.The real reason I haven't been as involved is because my special needs son, Dustin is on a modified day at school, so I simply do not have the time to do the campaigning I did in the past.
I haven't written that much about the local race - there are more blogs covering the mayoral and city council races than ever before. This blog especially has done a bang up job.
I believe the vote for mayor is a no-brainer - it doesn't take any brains to know that Tom Henry will be the better mayor and anyone who would vote for Matt Kelty probably has no brain.
The city council races are interesting. Karen Goldner has run a text book campaign. She presses the flesh, gets her message out and has the resume to be the most effective member of the city council ever.
What concerns me are some of the other council races. I've noticed, to my chagrin that there are some bloggers - who shall remain unnamed - who have fallen for the well practiced schmooze ability of one of the candidates. I too was initially fooled by the schmoozing of this candidate, but quickly came to my senses when I discovered what a mixer he/she was. It makes you wonder if the Democrats who are backing this candidate are backing him/her on policy or personality.
I do not consider myself completely partisan - I think Crawford is an honorable candidate - but we need a council who will work with Mayor Henry. Yes, I realize I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I firmly believe the majority of voters in Fort Wayne know we need a man of integrity and not a man who thinks a few white lies are acceptable.
But no matter who you are backing, make sure you get out there and vote. Right now that is Matt Kelty's only hope - voter apathy. This is how he squeaked by Nelson Peters in the primary. All of Peters' supporters assumed he was a shoe-in and woke up on a Wednesday morning in May to discover just how wrong they were. Don't let Kelty steal another election through voter apathy. Take advantage of your right as a citizen and cast your vote this Tuesday so we don't awaken on November 7 to the nightmare of a Mayor Kelty.
18 comments:
So the shill for Media Matters is not partisan? LMFAO
The 900 Lb Gorilla in the mayoral election is Aboite township ...not voter turnout. These folks have been overtaxed, they are educated, and they mostly Republicans.
The 900 Lb Gorilla in the mayoral election is Aboite township ...not voter turnout. These folks have been overtaxed, they are educated, and they mostly Republicans.
The "900 # Gorilla" also voted against Mark Souder. Imagine what they'll do to someone even farther to the right who has none of Souder's political savvy. . .
Gadfly,
Ask Matt Kelty to release his polling breakdown for Aboite - it's not good...
I'm a shill for Media Matters??? In my lifetime as a blogger I have not ever mentioned Media Matters until today. How the hell does a single post make me a shill? Just curious if you would care to explain that to me. Gadfly, you're talking like a Republican - should I immediately assume you like to have sex with men? That seems pretty prevalent in the GOP these days.
Jeff - As an Aboite resident, allow me to release my own "poll" results - I was amazed at the number of Hayhurst for Congress signs in my neighborhood last fall. However, our home sported the only Hayhurst sign on our entire street.
Tom carried my precinct and the majority of Aboite.
This fall, there are no less than 9 homes with Henry and/or Stewart signs on my street.
Goodnight, Matt. Sweet dreams, Mitch.
Robert -
Mr. Not-So-Fly is merely spouting a right-wing talking point. Media Matters, after all, is one of THE most dangerous organizations in America today, didn't you get the memo?
Of course not! YOU have the ability to think freely for yourself rather than relying upon the spin-doctors who dominate talk radio thanks to the "ownership issues" that we are saddled with today.
John was that the same memo that listed "colleges and universities" as the most dangerous organizations? Those damn centers for higher learning teaching people to think. What is the world coming too? How are Kelty and Bush going to survive in a world of thinkers?
Parson - Yes! DAMN those "free thinkers"! DAMN them to HELL!!
A few thoughts on Aboite:
--Most neighborhood associations prohibit political signs in yards-- reduces home values and creates possible enmity between neighbors. Political signs in yards in my neighborhood betray one's indifference to law and lack of respect for their neighbors?!?
--May 2007 primary election numbers clearly show only 408 voters willing to make the effort to vote for Tom Henry in the newly annexed Southwest. Peters got 1512, Kelty got 1345. In the 24 precincts, Kelty and Henry split winning 12 each. Total voting Republican - 2903-85%. Total voting Democrat - 493-15%
This is why it is necessary to recruit the Hawks family to do "Republican for Henry" ads.
--Hayhurst barely lost to Souder for many reasons. The biggest is that Souder has been in office too long. Fort Wayne has lost too many jobs and the federal government has run amok with our taxes and our future. Locally, the same may be said of our current city government, Henry would have been wiser to distance himself from the "20 years" of city govt. experience and expounded issues from the start.
Robert,
Were you seriously surprised by the Sheriff election??? I mean, for real brother...I was a newbie to Fort Wayne politics at the time and even I knew damn well that a fat lesbian democrat desk jockey was gonna lose out to the Superman-esque SWAT Team veteran with the Tony Robbins gravitas. C'mon, my 5yr old daughter could've called that one...I hope you honestly weren't that distraught over it. It would be like walking into an Indian Reservation casino and walking away devastated because you didn't win $1Million by dropping a quarter in the first slot machine you saw...
The Hayhurst thing I totally understand. I was pulling for him too, but hey...a Souder win just gave us more blog fodder for another two years.
Speakeasy,
You're going to compare an uncontested primary with a contested one? You can't be serious - that type of analysis is simply laughed off around here - try again.
Political signs reduce home values?!? They betray one's indifference to law? They are the essence of democracy and free speech. Glad I don't live in your neighborhood...
Andy, I never said I was surprised, only disappointed. You always have that faint little hope that people might see beyond some aspects and look at clear qualifications. In that respect, I saw a huge gap. No, I honestly did not believe Tina would win. As for Hayhurst/Souder, I have to wonder how long it will take for voters in this area to get beyond the "my daddy was a Republican, my granddaddy was a republican, so I'm a Republican too" mode of thinking.
Speakeasy - Aboite is comprised of more independents than Dems or Reps. You know. . .thinking folks. I know that scares you GOP faithful. . .
Andy - Robert summed that up rather well.
Jeff - I cannot name a subdivision in Aboite that is devoid of yard signs. Possibly Heron Preseve, but I'm not even sure about THAT one.
Robert - The defections over the Kelty-Gate fiasco makes me hopeful once more. . .there ARE some Republicans who think for themselves.
john good - Since I choose not to vote straight ticket Democrat, I am pigeonholed as a GOP faithful?!? Don't you dare lump me in with Cathy Hawks and Sam Talarico ;)
Sticks and stones man!
Also, primaries always foreshadow the base that shows up for the general elections. I'm just looking at actual numbers. Interpret them any way you want. You may be correct about independents in Aboite, but we don't have any independent candidates now, do we?
Off topic, Senator Bayh is going to be here Sunday at 1:00, too bad we can't draft him back into the presidential race.
My questions are these: How much money was “loaned” to Kelty’s opponents from Hardball Capitol and their Wizards team to support their campaign and turned into the Election Board the same identical way that Kelty turned in the $158,000 he is being condemned on? After all it is his opponents and even some of his own party members pushing Harrison Square down Fort Wayne’s throat and pushing it through channels so fast before the election. Are they that worried they will lose the election that they have to act as fast as they did on it? I think so.
As for the cake issue, excuse me but from what I've seen it was against those so called members of the Republican party that are suppose to be on the same team as Kelty, and who turned their backs on him rather than to stand up for him. But that is because those who turned on Kelty are Shine's golden team who are against Kelty because their golden boy didn't win the primary. If the cake had depicted the Democrats, I suppose it would have been ok and nothing said about it. Come on people, jokes happen!
Why isn’t the Kelty campaign attacking their opponents like he is being attacked? I say because because it takes a bigger person to ignore the words and dirty tactics and shows who the bigger and more honorable person really is in this election. Especially when Kelty is not only being slammed so hard by his opponents in the election mudslinging tantrums but is being ruined on a personal level regarding his archetectural status and his family well-being. But this just shows Fort Wayne that when desperate circumstances call for desperate measures, the losing team will stoop lower than a snake to win!
Tell me 1 political office and 1 political candidate who has or is 100% honest with the people of Fort Wayne all the time!! False hopes and empty promises are all that have been offered to Fort Wayne with all the prior office holders, it's time for someone new and Henry isn't the guy for the job, after all he put Harrison Square in with the majority of the city council as fast as they did.
Henry didn't listen to 70% of Fort Wayne residents over the Harrison Square project. Do you think making him mayor will make him listen to you in the future on what you the private citizen wants? I don't think so!!!!!
In all fairness to Henry, Cathy, he didn't have any input into Harrison Square whatsoever. But now that it's a done deal he has the unenviable task of trying to make the damn thing work. So no he didn't ignore 70 percent of the public.
At least Henry has enough good will with people of both parties to be able to function as mayor. Kelty may be right on certain issues, such as Harrison Square, but he's an empty suit who doesn't impress anyone in city government as capable of handling the job of mayor, especially with all of the missteps in his campaign. If he were interviewing for any other job, his lies would be unforgivable. Why should this be any different?
Cathy - What are you smoking??? Tom Henry has had every opportunity to attack Matt Kelty and has taken the high road every single time! I don't know how he exercises such restraint!!
Speakeasy - You WERE talking the talk. . .;)
Cathy Hawks and Sam Talarico HAVE demonstrated independent thinking - you'd be in good company!
Cathy,
Please explain how Mark Souder had turned his back on Kelty prior to the cake incident. In fact Souder was the only elected official willing to publicly endorse Kelty. The fact is the Kelty campaign has been divisive and amateurish. They carved out a section of their own party, the "Good Ol Boys", and told them they didn't need them and they weren't welcome.
Henry on the other hand embraced them and showed that he's willing to look beyond partisanship and petty politics to keep this city moving forward. That is why Henry is going to win...
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