Mike Hogan = Rick Scott | Read the thread...

[Diane Melendez]

I don't care for Rick Scott. I just understand the structure and what we as citizens have to work with for the next few years.  I also know that no one goes into the office of Mayor of Jacksonville without people expecting something from them.  I also know first hand, have myself seen and heard Mike Hogan welcome support at all levels but clearly state that he will not be influenced by it. Even the top dogs know full well that their support is very much appreciated but it does not give them special privileges. Of course many will roll their eyes at the very suggestion that the big money is not ruling the decisions of Mr. Hogan, but the fact is, they are not.

As to Mr. Browns experience I will say once more that at this serious juncture in Jacksonville's history, we cannot wait for Mr. Brown to learn how this city functions. The learning curve is huge.   Anyone can get in a car and drive it during good weather, but driving in bad weather or fixing one that is broken down and then knowing how to rebuild an engine is a completely different story.  Peyton came into office with his own crew and the first two years or so things were an absolute mess. He lost and changed members of his administration several times over.  Mr. Brown is a charismatic speaker and a quick study when it comes to understanding what is needed to be said to engage peoples attention. He talks quite well about getting all the stake holders to the table, working things out etc. etc.  About creating jobs education and the like.  The problem is you first have to know who the stake holders are and how this immense city government operates. One has to understand this it is not as simple as sitting down together and talking things through with stakeholders. What works, what doesn't and how the departments all interface is of paramount importance.  We have the City, JSO, JFRD, JEA, JTA, JAA in the mix along with our school system with a huge financial crisis in front of us.  This is not the time to place a person in the office of Mayor who is a newby to the landscape of city government.  No disrespect to Brown, just the reality of where we are.

[avonjax]

I wrote the above before reading all the the posts. I have to agree with Faye and I don't think she was trying to insult Diane. But these guys do pay "lip service" knowing they will do what they intend to do. I may need correction, but I read that soon after he took office Rick Scott was asked about High Speed Rail, he said he  would not make a decision until he had reviewed both sides, knowing that that was a complete lie. He had all intention of putting a knife in it if he was elected. He will never do ANYTHING except what the other tea party minions who call themselves Republican governors, do. It doesn't matter how negative or wrong for our state. This is not about the welfare of Florida, it's about greed and power. I mostly blame Republicans for our current ills, but Democrats must share the blame because they, in their attempt to be bipartisan and fair, allowed them to take us into the abyss. After Rick Scott lied about Alex Sink and diverted all questions about his criminal behavior during the debates, I was more shocked than ever that anyone would vote for him. And after Jeb Bush financially damaged our state, how could anyone want to vote for a candidate that these two would endorse?  So do you think Hogan will do the right thing if it doesn't suit the agenda of his party? So far Rick Scott has been exactly what he was in his ads and in the debates, a snake. That makes me shudder. 

[Diane Melendez]

avonjax.  I have been around the political block several times over and understand exactly how easily people get played.  The reality is that in politics as in life you never, ever know exactly what a person will do once they are in office.  As in life, there is always the chance of dissapointment.  Experience on the playing field gives some advantage but it still comes down to using ones best judgement, their own understanding of our system and some serious insight into who the players are. Then we all must make as sound a choice as we can considering our views and what we have learned about each candidate.  That's all any of us can do in life or politics.

[avonjax]

I don't care for Rick Scott. I just understand the structure and what we as citizens have to work with for the next few years.  I also know that no one goes into the office of Mayor of Jacksonville without people expecting something from them.  I also know first hand, have myself seen and heard Mike Hogan welcome support at all levels but clearly state that he will not be influenced by it. Even the top dogs know full well that their support is very much appreciated but it does not give them special privileges. Of course many will roll their eyes at the very suggestion that the big money is not ruling the decisions of Mr. Hogan, but the fact is, they are not.

As to Mr. Browns experience I will say once more that at this serious juncture in Jacksonville's history, we cannot wait for Mr. Brown to learn how this city functions. The learning curve is huge.   Anyone can get in a car and drive it during good weather, but driving in bad weather or fixing one that is broken down and then knowing how to rebuild an engine is a completely different story.  Peyton came into office with his own crew and the first two years or so things were an absolute mess. He lost and changed members of his administration several times over.  Mr. Brown is a charismatic speaker and a quick study when it comes to understanding what is needed to be said to engage peoples attention. He talks quite well about getting all the stake holders to the table, working things out etc. etc.  About creating jobs education and the like.  The problem is you first have to know who the stake holders are and how this immense city government operates. One has to understand this it is not as simple as sitting down together and talking things through with stakeholders. What works, what doesn't and how the departments all interface is of paramount importance.  We have the City, JSO, JFRD, JEA, JTA, JAA in the mix along with our school system with a huge financial crisis in front of us.  This is not the time to place a person in the office of Mayor who is a newby to the landscape of city government.  No disrespect to Brown, just the reality of where we are.

Then if you are correct, we are in deep, deep trouble. Show me a Republican in recent times that has improved the economic condition we are in? Cutting taxes will not fix anything. It hasn't in the past and it won't in the future. So I think maybe you are right and bleak days are ahead.

[Diane Melendez]

Difficult decisions are ahead and we are going to have to decide who can best get us through them. I know we will get through them if everyone works together in a meaningful way.  This really is not a Republican or Democrat thing at the city level.  Right now the party of the person is not as important as their understanding of our system and budget and how it can be made better. 

[Kay]

I just want to puke.

[mtraininjax]

Then if you are correct, we are in deep, deep trouble. Show me a Republican in recent times that has improved the economic condition we are in? Cutting taxes will not fix anything. It hasn't in the past and it won't in the future. So I think maybe you are right and bleak days are ahead.

It's not Republican or Democrat, it's AMERICANS. Every President in the 20th century added to the debt of the country, every single one of them. Now we have a national debt in the trillions with few options on fixing.

This is not a party issue, it has become a way of life issue. Do we want/need military bases around the world? Do we want/need as many social programs? Can we spend our way out of the Great Recession without future problems? This issue of us versus them is larger than a mayoral race, much larger.

[hillary supporter]

This is not the time to place a person in the office of Mayor who is a newby to the landscape of city government.  No disrespect to Brown, just the reality of where we are.

If not now, when? With my upmost respect Diane, the voters here believe in change, a turn in a direction, which in relative terms they see as forward. Your accurate description draws uncanny parallels to the 2008 national election. With that victor portraying uncanny similarities to Alvin
Brown.
Diane, as a mover and shaker in the Duval democratic party i must wonder outloud why this solid example alone doesnt find you supporting the democratic candidate for mayor of Jacksonville. Even more as an example should be the democratic mayors of all the national URBAN cities that we here weekly study (and envy) in those cities move forward into the 21st century.

[FayeforCure]

This is not the time to place a person in the office of Mayor who is a newby to the landscape of city government.  No disrespect to Brown, just the reality of where we are.

Even more as an example should be the democratic mayors of all the national URBAN cities that we here weekly study (and envy) in those cities move forward into the 21st century.

Hmmm, interesting. I just came across a Forbes article about:

High-profile Democratic mayors that are pitching the kind of fiscal discipline and aversion to new taxes more typical of their Republican rivals.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/10/mayors-taxes-democrats-cz_dw_0110mayors_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=undefined

Alvin Brown with an MBA from JU, would be uniquely qualified to give city government budgets a fresh look, without being unduly hindered by vested interests.

As they say: "a new broom can make a clean sweep"

But some people rather vote for the evil they know. sigh

[hillary supporter]

This is not the time to place a person in the office of Mayor who is a newby to the landscape of city government.  No disrespect to Brown, just the reality of where we are.

Even more as an example should be the democratic mayors of all the national URBAN cities that we here weekly study (and envy) in those cities move forward into the 21st century.

Hmmm, interesting. I just came across a Forbes article about:

High-profile Democratic mayors that are pitching the kind of fiscal discipline and aversion to new taxes more typical of their Republican rivals.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/10/mayors-taxes-democrats-cz_dw_0110mayors_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=undefined

Alvin Brown with an MBA from JU, would be uniquely qualified to give city government budgets a fresh look, without being unduly hindered by vested interests.

As they say: "a new broom can make a clean sweep"

But some people rather vote for the evil they know. sigh

I think this, Faye, is the real crisis of the Duval Democratic party. Without the ambiguity of Sheltons article.

[wsansewjs]

I wonder how much Suzie and Hollingsworth had to do with this election?

Seems awfully bizarre that Mullaney would go after Audrey even when it was clear he wasnt going to win.

Fresh off of tea party victories for Rick Scott, they are both advising Mullaney, end up tanking Audrey, and then Mullaney and Suzie's business partner all jump on the same tea party team with Hogan.

Smells a bit like tuna tartare.

And the tuna tartare can go rotten if someone could find the evidence to uncover this whole conspiracy.  I have to agree that I do find this interesting, and it seems to be funky from my perspective that there might be an overall goal to achieve by doing little things like this as a strategy in politics.

-Josh

[vicupstate]

I wonder how much Suzie and Hollingsworth had to do with this election?

Seems awfully bizarre that Mullaney would go after Audrey even when it was clear he wasnt going to win.

Fresh off of tea party victories for Rick Scott, they are both advising Mullaney, end up tanking Audrey, and then Mullaney and Suzie's business partner all jump on the same tea party team with Hogan.

Smells a bit like tuna tartare.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit.  Politics is very machivellian. Don't be surprised if Mullaney get rewarded for his efforts which played right into Hogan's hands.  

[Jimmy]

I have often wondered if Mullaney wasn't looking to get back into his old office at City Hall.  Early on, the whispers were that he was in the race in order to ultimately retain (or return to) his job as General Counsel.

[FayeforCure]

But I feel you there with the abortion clinic bomb jokes from the guy who once tried to save us from the gay agenda by cancelling funding for the Symphony.

Sounds a bit like Stephen Wise's fixation on legislating religion into the public arena. Good thing he is finally term limited!!

[vicupstate]

Diane,

I believe you to be a sincere person, but how do you know Hogan isn't just telling you what you want to hear?  Has he shared more of his 'agenda' with you that gives you that confidence?  He hasn't shared much with the public.

Also, even if Hogan supports DT and the issues the typical MJer supports in his heart, don't you think the Tea Party/Unions/Westside crowd will steer him away from that?  They ARE the foundation of his support after all.   

I realize politics makes strange bedfellows, but you, Glorious and "Tea Party" represent a strange one indeed.