Some interesting ideas here but I think ultimately the finaly analysis is wrong. By "wealthy areas" I think the writer means the 7th, 10th, 11th, and 13th wards, which have historically had the highest turnout and Wards RT rode to victory in 2001 and appears to be doing the same in 2005. I don't see that changing.
The writer states, I think correctly, that future "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." To me that message would appeal directly to the the residents of the "wealthy areas" and as a resident of the 10th Ward, I would gladly and enthusiastically support a candidate who addressed those issues. I would think my neighbors, church members, and fellow parents of school age kids would act likewise. In short the candidate that can speak best to those issues is the candidate who will continue to do well in the 7th, 10th, 11th, and 13th Wards. Based on voting participation, that will be enough to win City-wide. I see the historical patterns not only prevailing in future elections, but also hardening. Whether you agree with the candidate or not, RT has shown that this is the way to win a majority of the vote in a City- wide election. It's hard to see a different coalition arising to to challenge it. Dean E. Carlson Ward 10, East Harriet ----- Original Message ----- From: Alberto Monserrate <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2005 3:38 am Subject: [Mpls] Who's got the voting power in Minneapolis > > 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. 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
