Delores Weaver now backs Brown for Jacksonville mayor

[Steve_Lovett]

Timkin, Nothing in politics is ever a certainty and odd things do happen.  But there is a world of things that go on in politics that can give one a pretty good indication of where things are headed in a campaign.  This has more to do with fixed voting habits and powerstructures than anything else.  We saw a break down of power groups in the first round of this election when there were three Republicans splitting that vote.  The Dem vote was also impacted by Morans presence in the race.  That has all changed and we are down to two candidates.  Using historical data, voter turnout and current public sentiment, Hogan is the indicated winner.  Of course the votes have to be counted and everyone has the chance to campaign strongly for the candidate they choose.  May 17th will give us the final answer.  

Also, I don't think this is a choice of candidate based on race but experience.

Diane, How familiar are you with the depth of Alvin Brown's experience?

[Timkin]

True..  Diane , in no way am I upset with you. I would have no reason to be.   Fixed voting habits can not necessarily wind us up with the best person to do the job.  For more reasons than I want to get into , I would have preferred a woman to be in office .. Whether Glorious , Audrey , or YOU,  I just think a woman would have taken this position very seriously and got the fiscal house in order PRONTO.. That is why I stood behind Glorious, and then Audrey.  

I don't know Mike , and indications are that he is an honorable man.. but if a person is entering office by support of "fixed voting habits" and the Good ole boy network, WHAT has changed? its more of the same ole same ole. and my fear is that this is EXACTLY what we will endure 4 more years of..

 Of all people you know my position on historic buildings, particularly Annie Lytle School.. Right now as it stands , no matter who becomes Mayor, I am coming to the sad realization that she is not going to be saved.. there is not money to save her, and as for the the last 50 years ,she will be back-burnered  till someone wondering around in her gets seriously hurt or killed and that will be the end.  It SUCKS to me that so much has been squandered in the Mayors office and in the City doing special favors for all the good ole boys and special interests, In JTA's brainless, at best management,  that could have been more wisely used on projects for the urban core , or Annie , or Genovar's Hall , or the Ambassador.   So it is not even in the interest of historic preservation that I think one will be better than the other.   Mikes  "list" as I call it , was pretty insignificant.. Alvin's at least went into some detail.    Either way kid, I love you.. We will know soon where this is going .

[Diane Melendez]

Not in my personal view Stephen.  I can't speak for how others look at the issue.  I voted for Obama and for Nat Glover.  In both cases because of their qualities as candidates.  Color did factor into my choices.

[Diane Melendez]

Steve, I will respond to your question shortly.  Headed out to an appointment right now so I will be offline for a while. 

[Diane Melendez]

For the record.  I am speaking for myself, no one else.    

[FayeforCure]

Timkin, Nothing in politics is ever a certainty and odd things do happen.  But there is a world of things that go on in politics that can give one a pretty good indication of where things are headed in a campaign.  This has more to do with fixed voting habits and powerstructures than anything else.  We saw a break down of power groups in the first round of this election when there were three Republicans splitting that vote.  The Dem vote was also impacted by Morans presence in the race.  That has all changed and we are down to two candidates.  Using historical data, voter turnout and current public sentiment, Hogan is the indicated winner.  Of course the votes have to be counted and everyone has the chance to campaign strongly for the candidate they choose.  May 17th will give us the final answer.  

Also, I don't think this is a choice of candidate based on race but experience.

The assumption that Hogan 'has it in the bag' is based on expectations of racism, not race, and certainly not experience.

Well, I say let him think that way. Hopefully Republicans will stay home, because he already "has it in the bag"

All I know is that Obama just about beat the so-called guy with experience in Duval:

2008 Election Results:

50% for McCain
49% for Obama

What is 1% of voters in a mayoral race?

A whopping 1,500 votes!!!!!!!!

Obama was from Chicago, Alvin Brown is from right here in Jax.

I despise the GOB, and hopefully there are enough new-comers to Jax who feel the same.

Already, two of my Democratic neighbors left soon after the 2004 election, and Jacksonville will for ever be stuck in the past by electing Wayne Hogan.

Jacksonville needs to become a destination, not just a pass-through.

We need to take Jacksonville to the next level.

I think some old-time Dems in Jacksonville suffer from Stockholm syndrome  

[Timkin]

Please don't laugh.... Stockholm syndrome?

[vicupstate]

Politics is just like sports really. In the NCAA playoffs, the top seeds do usually win, but there are always upsets too. The trick is separating the 'upsets in the making' from the 'windmill tilting'.

When Crist announced for Senate, Marco Rubio was little known and was getting trounced in the polls by Crist.  We all know how that turned out.

Based on history, voting patterns (including 2003 Peyton vs. Glover), etc. you have to say that Hogan is the 'favorite', but he does not have it 'in the bag' IMO.

Hogan has to worry about complacency and his perception of being too conservative and the FBC candidate.  

For Brown to win though, he has to be able to get traction as a viable alternative.  He has to avoid mistakes, and build credibility via fundraising, endorsements, and finding one or two salient issues.   He has a path to victory, but it is a narrow one.  
   


 

[Diane Melendez]

@ Steve.  Yes I have a good understanding of Alvin Browns past work experience as a result of research I did at the beginnings of his campaign and speaking to him personally because I was working for another candidate at the time. This is a brief synopsis.  

Brown is not from Jacksonville but from South Carolina. He did attend  JU here and had an honorary position with the college at the time his campaign began.  He also served briefly as an attorney in Jacksonville.  He was also in a position with the Willie Gary foundation.  His government position was a post he held under the umbrella of the Clinton Presidency and an appointment to HUD given him by Al Gore.  He was one of several folks who oversaw a sizable Federal budget for HUD.  Reseach shows that after an initial trial of the program he served under, the Feds, (which was Dems at the time) cancelled the program because of it's expense. At some point close to 1998 I believe, Brown bought a home in Jacksonville in an upper scale, middle class neighborhood.  

I met and spoke to Brown at a meeting at Dem headquarters just after he had entered the race.  I asked him why he was running for the position of Mayor of Jacksonville?  His response was that God had shown him this is what he should do.  I told him I appreciated him taking action on what God told him to do but asked what his platform would be?  He told me he did not have it ready at the time but would be working on it.  I then asked him to name three things that he would bring to the table as a candidate for mayor that made him a better choice than the other candidates on the ballot?  He did not answer.  I asked him to name one thing, to which he responded by telling me about his HUD job and connections to Clinton and Gore in 1994 and the following years.  I told him that while that sounded impressive, local city goverment and federal government were two very different animals.  I did not see how that position which he held nearly a decade ago, helped place him over the other candidates on the ticket at the time.  I was also curious about his claimed connections to the Clintons and Gores.  In the beginning he would speak about his association to Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.  So I decided to do some research both online and by calling Ms. Clinton's office directly in Washington.  After being shifted through several connections, I spoke with a senior member of her staff who told me she had never heard of Alvin Brown.  She did some checking , got back to me saying that Brown had held a position unrelated to Hillary Clinton's office and that Ms. Clinton would not be speaking on his behalf or about his political bid.  I also called Al Gores office and spoke with a senior member there.  They told me that Al had known Brown years ago when he worked for HUD, that Gore had had little interaction with him since and at that time had no intention of backing or endorsing Alvin Browns run for mayor. Remember this was all in April of last year.  Fast forward to the fellow from BET and the short paid visit by Clinton, who met with a small group to speak about Brown and say he supported his candidacy.  Then there was the short, no media questions allowed visit from Gore.  Both gentlemen were compensated for their time.

What struck me about Brown at the time I met with him last year was his repeated name dropping of Clinton and Gore as a measure of him as a candidate.  The second thing that stuck with me was that he had no plan or platform when he entered the race, other than to say he was inspired by God.  In my mind, I saw a fellow who had run against Corrine Brown, lost terribly to her and decided this was another shot at a seat in local poltics so he got in the race for mayor.  Now Brown's platform has morphed greatly and included much of what other candidates have focused on as important issues, i.e. the port, education, jobs etc.  

In my view his experience in Washington and working through that level of Federal Governement in the 1990's does little to prepare him for the broad and vast needs Jacksonville is currently facing. I will say he is a charasmatic and engaging personality who knows what to say to engage people in his views.  The reality is however that he does not have the local experience or leadership connections that this city will require to move through the many difficult issues before us in 2011, 2012 and thru 2013.   That is my view and experience.   I do not expect it to change anyones views about Brown or what his past work experience means.  Just my take on his qualification at this time.

[Diane Melendez]

I think we are conversing on Metrojacksonville Stephen or have I mistakenly logged into
TU comments?  LOL  Is this to be a meaningful conversation or a contest of wills to include a snark contest?  If it is the second and we are after sound bites then I will let you have at it.  If it is about intelligent conversation and staying on topic, count me in for now.     Seriously, I am open to discussion but not verbal contests, I simply don't have the energy  for that.

[mtraininjax]

Jacksonville needs to become a destination, not just a pass-through.

It is very sad that you cannot see that our great town is a destination already.

[Diane Melendez]

Stephen, I am extending my hand to you and giving you back the complete reign of this forum and discussion.     I am serious about not having the energy for mind or word games.  Carry on.

[Timkin]

I wish Diane would be a regular poster on here.

[Steve_Lovett]

@ Steve.  Yes I have a good understanding of Alvin Browns past work experience as a result of research I did at the beginnings of his campaign and speaking to him personally because I was working for another candidate at the time. This is a brief synopsis.  

Brown is not from Jacksonville but from South Carolina. He did attend  JU here and had an honorary position with the college at the time his campaign began.  He also served briefly as an attorney in Jacksonville.  He was also in a position with the Willie Gary foundation.  His government position was a post he held under the umbrella of the Clinton Presidency and an appointment to HUD given him by Al Gore.  He was one of several folks who oversaw a sizable Federal budget for HUD.  Reseach shows that after an initial trial of the program he served under, the Feds, (which was Dems at the time) cancelled the program because of it's expense. At some point close to 1998 I believe, Brown bought a home in Jacksonville in an upper scale, middle class neighborhood.  

I met and spoke to Brown at a meeting at Dem headquarters just after he had entered the race.  I asked him why he was running for the position of Mayor of Jacksonville?  His response was that God had shown him this is what he should do.  I told him I appreciated him taking action on what God told him to do but asked what his platform would be?  He told me he did not have it ready at the time but would be working on it.  I then asked him to name three things that he would bring to the table as a candidate for mayor that made him a better choice than the other candidates on the ballot?  He did not answer.  I asked him to name one thing, to which he responded by telling me about his HUD job and connections to Clinton and Gore in 1994 and the following years.  I told him that while that sounded impressive, local city goverment and federal government were two very different animals.  I did not see how that position which he held nearly a decade ago, helped place him over the other candidates on the ticket at the time.  I was also curious about his claimed connections to the Clintons and Gores.  In the beginning he would speak about his association to Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.  So I decided to do some research both online and by calling Ms. Clinton's office directly in Washington.  After being shifted through several connections, I spoke with a senior member of her staff who told me she had never heard of Alvin Brown.  She did some checking , got back to me saying that Brown had held a position unrelated to Hillary Clinton's office and that Ms. Clinton would not be speaking on his behalf or about his political bid.  I also called Al Gores office and spoke with a senior member there.  They told me that Al had known Brown years ago when he worked for HUD, that Gore had had little interaction with him since and at that time had no intention of backing or endorsing Alvin Browns run for mayor. Remember this was all in April of last year.  Fast forward to the fellow from BET and the short paid visit by Clinton, who met with a small group to speak about Brown and say he supported his candidacy.  Then there was the short, no media questions allowed visit from Gore.  Both gentlemen were compensated for their time.

What struck me about Brown at the time I met with him last year was his repeated name dropping of Clinton and Gore as a measure of him as a candidate.  The second thing that stuck with me was that he had no plan or platform when he entered the race, other than to say he was inspired by God.  In my mind, I saw a fellow who had run against Corrine Brown, lost terribly to her and decided this was another shot at a seat in local poltics so he got in the race for mayor.  Now Brown's platform has morphed greatly and included much of what other candidates have focused on as important issues, i.e. the port, education, jobs etc.  

In my view his experience in Washington and working through that level of Federal Governement in the 1990's does little to prepare him for the broad and vast needs Jacksonville is currently facing. I will say he is a charasmatic and engaging personality who knows what to say to engage people in his views.  The reality is however that he does not have the local experience or leadership connections that this city will require to move through the many difficult issues before us in 2011, 2012 and thru 2013.   That is my view and experience.   I do not expect it to change anyones views about Brown or what his past work experience means.  Just my take on his qualification at this time.

I appreciate your response, research, and perspective.  I don't think Alvin Brown was the best candidate in this race, but I think he's the best candidate in the runoff.  In personal conversation with him, I believe he IS literate in the importance of wisely reinvesting in downtown's renewal, and has greater respect for the diversity of this city.  

If Mike Hogan would address any serious, difficult issue, debate or intellectual discussion in his quest for Mayor it would increase his credibility as a candidate from my perspective (as one of a few hundred thousand voters).  Even better if he was willing to engage outside of his comfort zone.  I perceive him to be closely held, tightly managed, and staying within highly insular environments during his run.  This perspective is a very limited one from which to lead the city.

[Timkin]

The mere fact that his intentions are vague at best, has me very hesitant to embrace the idea of him being Mayor.   Setting aside altogether the "bombing the abortion clinic" remark , which is a terrible thing to say, I don't care who you are .. He just does not seem to be a public speaker and only offers bits and pieces of his intentions.