I think the most intersting question in next weeks election will be who's currently got the power in Minneapolis city wide elections, and how that will change in the future.
Although there are clear exceptions to my generalization on who supports who for mayor, its pretty clear that people of color, unions and blue collar folks seem to be key to McLauphlin winning and voters that live in the wealthier parts of the city seem to be key to Rybak winning. Its also clear that Rybak will benefit from the trend in the last few years in baby boomers moving from the suburbs to expensive Minneapolis condos. I think its pretty clear which strategy will win this year. The wealthier wards will decide this election. But this will probably the last time a mayoral candidate will win with this stratgy in Minneapolis. As the Latino, African American, and Somali communities continue to grow in the city, as more immigrants become citizens, as more minority candidates get voters of color excited and as more expensive condos are built, candidates will have to be able to find common cause with very diverse constituencies. Winning candidates will need to talk more about the environment and other green issues, will need to be very liberal on social issues, more conservative on fiscal issues, while at the same very much in touch with and vocal on civil rights, diversity issues, small business concerns, and immigrant rights. Labor issues will become less talked about. Taxes will get harder to raise. We'll see the last mayoral election on tuesday with the current coalitions. The candidates in the future for city wide office have quite a balancing act ahead of them. PS For those of you wondering why a newspaper publisher is writing with so many spelling errors I'm writing this from my phone late at night while traveling and killing time. Plus editors write well. Publishers sell cars, homes and phone service. Alberto Monserrate Nokomis 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
