I'd like to raise a question about the tone of the discussion in the upcoming mayoral race. As a community, where do we want the focus of the discussion? On public issues and on the job performance? Or on the personal lives/mistakes of candidates (regardless of political persuasion)?
I just got off the phone with a participant who questioned the "false dichotomy" that I may have raised between the public and the private, especially in this case.
I agree, that this is not a black and white question. What happens behind closed doors and in private, can have a real impact on how an elected official does his or her public business.
This is a very difficult and detailed discussion, which I don't have time to elaborate on at this time. But - I want to be clear, that I don't mean to suggest that the private is or should be totally "out of bounds."
I do expect that we treat the personal matters of political officials with some degree of respect and responsibility. I've actually, been quite pleased with our discussion this morning, specifically - because we have gone beyond the simple facts of what happened and talked a little bit about why they should or should not have an impact on the upcoming mayoral election.
Too often this part of the discussion does not happen at all.
As this participant pointed out to me, too much of our cities business takes place behind closed doors and in private, to suggest that we can artificially separate the public from the private.
That's my 2 personal posts for the day.
Happy holidays,
Tim Erickson Hamline Midway [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722
[EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim
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