Alvin Brown says he is non partisan

[Diane Melendez]

Alvin Brown says there's no room for partisan politics in the Jacksonville mayoral race. Touting his opponent's description of him as a "conservative Democrat," he's working to garner support from the largely Republican business community.

In keeping with that approach, the former White House aide has been reassuring prospective supporters that he won't be promoting the candidacies of other Democrats - including President Barack Obama - should he win.

"This is not about Democrats or Republicans," the Jacksonville University MBA graduate said. "I'm going to be focused on putting Jacksonville back to work."

Brown says he's aware of the perception that a Democrat can't win Duval County but believes this race is different.

"There are more people out there who don't want the status quo," he said.

for full story:  http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/abel-harding/2011-04-15/abel-harding-brown-business-im-not-partisan

[Jimmy]

Sounds like he's taking that frame of Audrey's and running with it.  He wants to make sure that people understand that he's putting Jacksonville ahead of Tallahassee and Washington.  It's no secret that Brown would like some GOP votes in this race.  He should get them, too, if the discussions here have any reality to them.

It will be a different scene later when Rick Scott drapes his arm over Mike Hogan and anoints him as his man in Jacksonville.  That will be quite a picture.

[Diane Melendez]

Those GOB contacts and obligations that Alvin doesn't have as a Dem?  Looks like Alvin has learned how to dance.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/abel-harding/2011-04-15/peter-rummell-backing-alvin-brown-mayoral-race-commits

[JeffreyS]

Wow Peter Rummell Republican president of the Civic Counsel for Brown. nice.

[Jimmy]

Holy cow!  That's awesome news!!!  

This race is a real race after all!!

[Diane Melendez]

Support of local Democrats, good.  Support of local GOB's better.  Looks like the pricetag for support is $150,000.00 from Peter of St. Joe company who sold its office here and moved to another city and a promised $150,000.00 for more of Peters buddies.  Ain't Jacksonville politics grand!  

[Diane Melendez]

Actually Stephen, if you really read what I wrote yesterday, you will see that I said he was courting local members of the civic council.  I expected this after the full Civic Council voted not to endorse him.  Your response is as if your expect me to feel chagrin about this development.  I am not.  I just get a kick out of him getting all that Dem money and then dropping the Dems and support for Obama to get the financial support he needed.  

Alvin Brown is currently being supported and groomed by some of the oldest members of the Jacksonville GOB landscape.  That is a fact.  Brown is looking for money and support from the same old power structure that has influenced local politics here for years.  He is more of the same, just packaged differently.

[tufsu1]

Support of local Democrats, good.  Support of local GOB's better.  Looks like the pricetag for support is $150,000.00 from Peter of St. Joe company who sold its office here and moved to another city and a promised $150,000.00 for more of Peters buddies.  Ain't Jacksonville politics grand!  

sorry Diane...Rummell left St. Joe 3+ years ago...they didn't decide to move until 2010

btw...Rummell moved here back in 1997...hardly a life long Jax GOB

[Jimmy]

Diane, your argument would hold a lot more weight if you weren't backing Hogan.  If he's not more of the same, I don't know who is.

For me, I'm excited that people who care about our city are recognizing all the strengths Mr. Brown brings to the table.

[Diane Melendez]

Wonder how hard core Dem only voters and supporters feel?  Don't worry about my argument Jimmy watch what the politico's do.  My point and I repeated it often is that the GOB fabric impacts every candidate in Jacksonville running for office at this level.  As I have said several time before when people were attacking my views because I am a lifelong Dem supporting Hogan.  People can make it ugly or begin and understand that the forces at work in this city are immense and divided right now.  Again, read what Shelton had to say about why Dems have the problems they do in Jacksonville.

[Diane Melendez]

Read the TU piece by Able, link above.  The connection to St. Joe is part of the article and goes to the fact that Rummel is very much a part of what happens behind the scenes in Jax.  St. Joe connection did not come from me but is part of the report although I know for some it is easier to attack me that just read what media is saying.  You guys carry on amongst yourselves.

[RiversideLoki]

Alvin Brown is currently being supported and groomed by some of the oldest members of the Jacksonville GOB landscape.  That is a fact.  Brown is looking for money and support from the same old power structure that has influenced local politics here for years.  He is more of the same, just packaged differently.

I don't get it.....

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.

And

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.  

So what Jacksonville needs is someone who knows how to work the system.. not someone who knows how to work the system?

Wait.. what?

[Diane Melendez]

You see what I said yesterday as well about some in the Civic Council supporting Alvin and that he like all the other candidates is depending upon Republican money and support.  That's the point Stephen.  This is not about me, as much as you would love to make that the case, I am a single voice with a single opinion who has attacked no one here.  Just shared my views which is difficult to do on this forum because it seems to dissolve into a face off with those who think differently.  If your case for your candidate is sound, you should have no need to attack the views of those who do not share your own.  Talk up your candidate and tell Jacksonville why he is the best choice.  I am but one voice.

[Jaxson]

Those GOB contacts and obligations that Alvin doesn't have as a Dem?  Looks like Alvin has learned how to dance.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/abel-harding/2011-04-15/peter-rummell-backing-alvin-brown-mayoral-race-commits

'learned how to dance'?  --- not the best use of words in this case...

[Diane Melendez]

Now that is just a silly thing to point out Jaxson and nothing more than an attempt to read something into one word to create a red herring.   Lets say it this way.  He learned how to move his chess piece.  It that better?