First forum: not much difference between mayoral candidates on progressive issues
My sense immediately before Thursday evening's mayoral forum hosted by the Guilford County Democratic Women was that Milton Kern didn't have many votes in the room.
My view didn't change as the event progressed. I'd think Yvonne Johnson would get nearly unanimous support. After all, she's a Democratic woman.
But Kern, who's also a Democrat, probably won the respect of audience members. And he certainly said little or nothing to provoke a disagreement -- with listeners or his opponent.
As Margaret reported in her story, the two candidates pretty much expressed the same views about the issues.
This made for a pleasant evening, but it disappointed me a bit (a more robust debate would have been fun), and it may frustrate voters who want more of a clear distinction when they decide who will serve as Greensboro's mayor for the next two years.
The Democratic Women aren't a typical Greensboro audience. Questions raised more concern about trees and global warming than about crime or jobs. In fact, no one asked the candidates about crime at all. Only two questions touched at all on jobs. One was expressing concern about the lack of shopping and dining opportunities in southeast Greensboro; the other revealed the questioner's view that money devoted for economic incentives would be better directed to the Civil Rights Museum.
In his answers, Kern endeavored to establish himself as a supporter of trees and green initiatives and an advocate for the Civil Rights Museum. When asked about the need to raise more revenue for government programs, he said property taxes and fees already are putting too heavy a burden on the public, but alternative revenue sources -- like sales taxes on services such as lawyers' and doctors' fees -- should be explored. (That would require state legislative action).
My take, based strictly on Thursday's forum, is that Johnson and Kern are about equally "progressive" on the issues. That view might change as the campaign moves on and the discussion addresses other subjects. But it could be that more conservative voters -- are there some in Greensboro? -- will feel a bit left out.
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But it could be that more conservative voters -- are there some in Greensboro? -- will feel a bit left out.* Doug
You would have better off watching the Republican Presidental New Hampshire debate again to understand why conservative voters are being left out in America.
My take, based strictly on Thursday's forum, is that Johnson and Kern are about equally "progressive" on the issues.* Doug
Since when has the term " Progressive" become evil? After all the founder of " Progressivism" was a Republican name Teddy Roosvelt
Posted on September 7, 2007 1:06 PM
I'm trying to cure myself of using the L word.
Watch the Republican presidential debate again? I wouldn't watch it the first time.
Posted on September 7, 2007 1:18 PM
If Kern is kowtowing to the tree-hugging crowd, I'm not voting for him. I hate trees almost as much as I hate "progressives." If we could only get a regressive anti-arborian--or better yet, an old-fashioned curmudgeon--to run.
Posted on September 7, 2007 4:03 PM
So they sat around and chatted about dining, trees, global warming, and the Money Pit on Elm St. (aka Civil Rights Museum) while just down the street gang-bangers fought over "turf" and drug sales. And the GPD continues to fight a gang-war on a shoestring budget...
Retiring to Mexico is looking more and more attractive.
Posted on September 7, 2007 6:00 PM
I'm trying to cure myself of using the L word.* Doug
I understand! I am trying to cure myself of using the "P" word in the republican party.....
Watch the Republican presidential debate again? I wouldn't watch it the first time.* Doug
You didn't miss anything except where HuckleB Hound call Ron Paul a Terrorist for defending the Constitution and sleeping with John Edwards. Of course Ed Cone said after the debate that Ron Paul was only right twice during the debate like a clock. I assume Ed is using a Global warming water clock since he is so water log most of the time on Liberal establishment politics.
Posted on September 7, 2007 6:36 PM
Not to excuse it, but one reason nobody votes in city elections is that candidates inevitably strive toward some pure essence of blandness. Perhaps that's the kind of leadership Greensboring wants--the bland leading the bland--but it doesn't make for scintillating politics.
Posted on September 9, 2007 11:22 PM
There are some themes in Greensboro - water, gangs, development pro and con, better jobs and higher wages, trust - so let's hope that candidates are addressing those themes. These issues are anything but bland, so let's raise the debate and get more people involved in the discussion.
Donna Riechmann, Candidate City Council At Large
Posted on September 11, 2007 3:36 PM