Over 2000 delegates wrangled their way through a long, long day that culminated in an abrupt retreat by the R.T. forces, leaving Peter McLaughlin standing in solitary splendor on the high ground.
Having seen the full-court press by R.T.'s faction in three ward conventions (Wards 6, 8, and 10) I'm impressed by the continuing reality that "signs don't vote". We could all do without the "robocalls" while I'm qvetching. I was preoccupied with my own duties and missed some of the floor action early on, but I couldn't help noticing the torrent of words, bordering on shrill as adjectives go, issuing from hizzoner. I also happened to see him departing the scene at Melby Hall in what looked to me like unseemly haste. Peter, in contrast, was low-keyed and unflappable and in the closing moments of this marathon experience, really quite gracious. What a guy! I still like R.T. but the office of mayor is serious business and the next four years are going to be tough sledding. Tinkering with convention processes is a fascinating sideshow, but now we move to sober evaluation by the whole electorate. P.R. and spin demean the office and I think the city is ready to take this municipal dialogue seriously. Hard choices and good training for the crew that will have to do some very heavy lifting in 2006. Fred Markus, West Phillips, Ward 6 --- http://USFamily.Net/dialup.html - $8.25/mo! -- http://www.usfamily.net/dsl.html - $19.99/mo! --- REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
