Jacksonville Mayoral election 2015

[Cheshire Cat]

^I agree tufsu1.  Tachchale it may be that you are not plugged into some of the outlets where info about Bishops campaign is being shared and there are many. It is truly a grassroots effort.  The Bishop folks have been doing a great job with FB and putting him before various diverse groups of voters.  The good old boy establishment want's to do business as usual and part of that business means dismissing the most qualified republican candidate in order to push the fellow that will do business their way.  This is not a new dynamic but one that has long needed changing.  I am noticing a different trend this election cycle and in our city.  Many people are tired of politics as usual, of being sold out by politicians and the folks who play political games on both sides of the isle to their own advantage.  There is a rapidly growing base of republicans who are getting behind Bishop because of his qualifications and experience and are driven by the fact that the local GOP played a very unfortunate manipulative game of in house voting in order to promote Curry. That was just incredibly poor form.  Curry will draw the hard right voters who follow the GOP playbook.  Bishop however will carry moderate republicans and those disgruntled with business as usual in their party as well as a good percentage moderates in all parties including an unexpected amount of backing by Democrats disillusioned with Alvin Brown.  Remember the first election is not a primary but unitary which means voters of all parties will be voting and that could impact the bottom line for Curry in unexpected ways.  To my view it will be the mayoral debates that will open the eyes of the voters as to who is selling hype and who has real plans and experience.  Jacksonville has got to learn to vote in a more sophisticated manner imo and following party lines in unitary elections is not the appropriate way to choose a local leader if in fact the goal is competent and strong leadership.  Another factor that will impact the voting will be how weary people get of the many negative political ads that will be hitting the airways and our mailboxes during the Curry on Brown attack which has to come.  That too may work to the advantage of Bill Bishop.

[Tacachale]

In other words, he's starting to tap out his well while Lenny's still going strong. Even Bishop seems to have had a better couple of weeks than Brown.

actually he hasn't even tried to get local money...there is no campaign website or Facebook page with a Donate button

You mean Bishop? Yeah, he's a good guy but he's not really running an effective campaign.

Ha, I just saw that in direct contrast, Brown's campaign page is nothing *but* a donation link.

I was referring to Mayor Brown.  Bill Bishop has actually put together a pretty good campaign given that the "establishment" has chosen to go with a guy who has no government experience.

This is Brown's website. No "about me", no list of positions or accomplishments, just buttons to "contribute" and "sign up". And he still reported no new donations for the first half of January. Though if I were him I probably wouldn't try to draw attention to my "accomplishments" either.

http://www.mayoralvinbrown.com/

^I agree tufsu1.  Tachchale it may be that you are not plugged into some of the outlets where info about Bishops campaign is being shared and there are many. It is truly a grassroots effort.  The Bishop folks have been doing a great job with FB and putting him before various diverse groups of voters.  The good old boy establishment want's to do business as usual and part of that business means dismissing the most qualified republican candidate in order to push the fellow that will do business their way.  This is not a new dynamic but one that has long needed changing.  I am noticing a different trend this election cycle and in our city.  Many people are tired of politics as usual, of being sold out by politicians and the folks who play political games on both sides of the isle to their own advantage.  There is a rapidly growing base of republicans who are getting behind Bishop because of his qualifications and experience and are driven by the fact that the local GOP played a very unfortunate manipulative game of in house voting in order to promote Curry. That was just incredibly poor form.  Curry will draw the hard right voters who follow the GOP playbook.  Bishop however will carry moderate republicans and those disgruntled with business as usual in their party as well as a good percentage moderates in all parties including an unexpected amount of backing by Democrats disillusioned with Alvin Brown.  Remember the first election is not a primary but unitary which means voters of all parties will be voting and that could impact the bottom line for Curry in unexpected ways.  To my view it will be the mayoral debates that will open the eyes of the voters as to who is selling hype and who has real plans and experience.  Jacksonville has got to learn to vote in a more sophisticated manner imo and following party lines in unitary elections is not the appropriate way to choose a local leader if in fact the goal is competent and strong leadership.  Another factor that will impact the voting will be how weary people get of the many negative political ads that will be hitting the airways and our mailboxes during the Curry on Brown attack which has to come.  That too may work to the advantage of Bill Bishop.

I know that a lot of people like Bishop, and I do to. But the fact is he's polling at 8% when the other two guys are in the 30s and he's only raised $70k when they're at or near $2 million. Yes, there's still a lot of race to run, but his polls are behind the *4th* place candidate from 2011.

[Dog Walker]

Bill Bishop is head and shoulders above either of the other two candidates in the race in terms of qualifications and experience.

At the very end of the Curry ad that keeps running on TV over and over again; am I the only person who thinks that his funny smile that he holds at the end makes him look exactly like Alfred E. Neuman of Mad magazine?  ( I know I'm showing my age with that reference.)

[fsujax]

As a Republican who voted for Alvin, I am nothing but disappointed in his leadership. He talked a good game, but his actions spoke louder. I do like Bishop, but I remember his strong support of extending Monroe St in front of the  new courthouse, I know we are over that but I still cant forget it. If I had to choose I would pick Bishop over Curry. Hopefully Bishop can continue to gain votes, but a split could let Brown sneak in.

[tufsu1]

If it comes down to it, I will still vote for Brown over Curry

[JeffreyS]

If it comes down to it, I will still vote for Brown over Curry

Hopefully Bishop will become viable.

[Charles Hunter]

If it comes down to it, I will still vote for Brown over Curry

This.  Is it possible to fill in those little bubbles while holding your nose?

[tufsu1]

If it comes down to it, I will still vote for Brown over Curry

This.  Is it possible to fill in those little bubbles while holding your nose?

sadly it won't be the first time I've done that

[Tacachale]

I can understand folks wanting Bishop, or being skeptical of Curry. But I can't understand anyone who's been paying attention at all saying they'll vote for Alvin Brown again.

[Charles Hunter]

The other choice in a Brown/Curry race is to undervote - not vote for anyone for Mayor.

[Cheshire Cat]

Melissa Ross of First Coast Connect interviewed Bill Bishop today on her show.  The interview is available now as a podcast.  She also has a FB page where you can go and read some of the comments she received about the broadcast and Bill Bishop.  I have long been saying that it will be when people actually hear Bill Bishop discuss his plans and answer questions that they will come away knowing this is the man who is best qualified to be our next mayor.  Listen for yourself and read the comments on FB.  There is a groundswell of support for Bill Bishop growing and I predict it will become stronger and stronger as he faces the other candidates Brown and Curry in debate. Watch and listen by clicking this link!  http://www.wjct.org/fcc-february-04-2015/

Here also are a few comments from Melissa's FB page you can view them all on her page:

Kirk Chamberlain I am sorry I missed it. I like Bill very much based on personal interaction. Saying you are a Republican brings a heavy burden. I wonder if the Herman Cain affiliation/ endorsement issue came up. Google Herman Cain if you aren't familiar.
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 1 hr · Edited

First Coast Connect For those who missed today's show, (or any show we air) the daily podcast of First Coast Connect is now on iTunes.
Unlike · Reply · 3 · 1 hr

Paula Steiner Darn. I'd sworn I'd write in one of my cats rather than another Republican, but this guy comes through as so open and honest, I'll have to vote for him.
Unlike · Reply · 9 · 2 hrs

Mike Bernos Bill Bishop welcomes Jacksonville to the 21st century. A breath of political fresh air.
Unlike · Reply · 6 · 57 mins · Edited

Douglas S. Coleman What a surprise, to have a candidate actually answer questions. And with great answers!
Unlike · Reply · 6 · 2 hrs

Alicia Cabrera-Thomas I met Bill at an event at Wayne Wood's
& we talked about so many things regarding the city of Jacksonville,
from Public Transportation to how to best do for the citizens to MOCA Jacksonville
This man
is a breath of fresh air!!
I can think of tons of times
that an "Underdog"
did the best job!!!

I will inquire with Melissa whether or not she has interviewed Curry or Brown with regard to the current race.  Will let all know what she says.

[Cheshire Cat]

There is an aspect to this election that I think many are missing and I am not speaking to anyone in particular but in general. The aspect that has me most worried is the reality that in America and even in our little city we are allowing ourselves and our politicians to be bought. In fact all too often the voters are culpable in the process There is this accepted view that money is the deciding factor in measuring a candidate. Power players in both major political parties use their money to prop up the person they feel will do their bidding as opposed to the most qualified individual and one who will have the best interest of the voters at heart. They package an individual with soundbites of promises or feel good meme's. No substance to the candidate or platform required. Right now Curry's campaign consists of saying everyone in Jacksonville deserves good stuff and is minus discussion of plans in order to make that a reality. Like pension, crime, health, development etc. This time around Brown is refusing to engage the people via a real campaign and has focused on repeating his old promises with no real record to stand upon. The candidate with the qualifications is purposely being shutdown by operatives in both the Dem and Republican party whose goal is for party retention in the office of mayor which affords access at the state and national level. The average citizen is being sold out by both parties supported by the mass accepted delusion that money equals worth. Only when "we the people" say those rules don't apply and we chose substance and experience over hype and empty words will the tide change for "we the people" in a positive way. I will vote the most competent person in what is a "unitary" election and always have done. My only wish for our city is that our voters become informed and educated about the candidates and the process and the fact is both major parties are working hard to see that all adhere to party structure period and vote accordingly regardless of real qualifications. However both parties will eat their own if given the chance and we are seeing that with the Republicans this time around and the Dems are doing the same in some local council races as well. It's manipulative and it happens because we the voters allow it to.

After writing the above this came across my feed.  Looks like Ruth and I are on the same page.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg doubled down Wednesday on her belief that Citizens United was the worst decision made by the current U.S. Supreme Court, saying it is the the first decision she would overturn if she had a "magic wand."

Ginsburg said the current campaign system is "being polluted by money" during a C-SPAN3 appearance, crediting the Citizens United decision, which effectively gave corporations and unions the right to give and spend unlimited funds on independent political activity.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/05/ruth-bader-ginsburg-campaign-financing_n_6622432.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000013

[Cheshire Cat]

Lenny Curry has received the endorsement of Jax Biz, the political arm of the Chamber.  No surprises here.  It is still pretty much a mystery what Curry's platform is or his plans to deal with serious issues like the pension, infrastructure, historic communities, development etc.  The only thing for certain we know is that Lenny Curry want's your money.  Apparently a platform is not even required.  His next public event is as follows and if you donate online you can get a bumper sticker. 



For endorsement story click link:  http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-02-04/story/jax-chamber-group-backs-lenny-curry-over-mayor-alvin-brown#gsc.tab=0

[Jimmy]

And then there's this reporting from Kevin Meerschaert, formerly of WJCT.

BILL BISHOP LOOKS TO PEEL OFF VOTERS FROM ALVIN BROWN
Jacksonville mayoral candidate Republican Bill Bishop may not be getting support from party leaders or big donors, but he is putting together a coalition of GOP moderates and Democrats and independents who have become disillusioned with incumbent Alvin Brown...

Full article: http://floridapolitics.com/archives/6493

My own belief is that Bill Bishop will peel off Curry voters as well.  But it's tough to ignore the number of Democrats who attended Bishop's rally yesterday in Memorial Park.


Edit to add:  Any decision makers from WJCT reading this, please put Kevin back to work.  His presence has been sorely missed on my radio.

[Tacachale]

Judging from that last poll, Bishop's peeling off more Curry voters than Brown voters. Not to make everyone panic, but this could very easily lead to Brown getting in without a runoff. Even if Bishop keeps polling at under 10%, it could go 50-42-8 and then we're stuck with Brown for another four years. But of course Alvin keeps giving people a reason not to vote for him.