Bloomberg on the Jacksonville Mayor's Race

[Bill Hoff]

Fascinating analysis by Bloomberg Politics on the Brown-Curry-Bishop race for Mayor.

Enjoy.

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/features/2015-03-17/in-jacksonville-a-shadow-war-between-the-clinton-and-bush-forces

[vicupstate]

What a very strong and compelling argument for why city elections need to be nonpartisan. [Today they are Unitary but NOT nonpartisan]

The whole damn article is about a proxy war between Hillary and Jeb. Does anyone happen to think that maybe what JAX actually NEEDS in a mayor, 99% of which has NOTHING to do with partisan politics, might be a little bit important?!

[Cheshire Cat]

^This is what I have been trying to impart to folks about why certain people are being funded in races and who is behind them.  This article makes the dynamic even more clear.  We the people can begin to fight this nonsense and political gamesmanship at the cost of our city by using our voices and our votes. Non-partisan at the local level is key to positive change here in Jacksonville.  Once people fully understand how the election process is compromised by big money and power in politics they can address what needs to be changed in our laws to buffer the influence.  People can also show their strong desire for change and want of competent local leadership by ignoring the party labels and voting for the best candidate.  Changes like these are incremental and take time.  Once the establishment understands that the voters are actually thinking for themselves as opposed to being led around by a ring in their nose, politics can and will change.  It's about information and insight into what drives local politics and then using that information to impact laws and who is elected.

[jaxnyc79]

I think the Bloomberg article is trying to create a "false" narrative about the Jax election to give the election some national appeal.  From my vantage point, the Republicans are largely running to the left of the bible-thumping Democrat.

[Cheshire Cat]

Lenny Curry is very far right as are several other candidates for council.  There are some moderate Republican candidates on the current ballot, but Curry is the real kingpin for the GOP.  Bloomberg is bang on.  Clinton did not come to support Alvin as much as he came to serve a broader agenda. 

[Jax native]

^^^^^^^^^^

All the above.  The article is misguided in turning this unitary local mayor race in a National dynamic between Dems and Reps in presidential race.

Also the quote from Lenny Curry is horrific and the deep rooted scare and fear tactics extreme right wingers spit up to use to ignorant voters who only want to hear 'key talking words".