Long-time activist and political science professor from Black Rock Don Greenberg shares his observations about the debate:
Firstly I thought Finch did poorly. You cannot tell people how great things are in the city when people do not feel that way. Ganim and Foster both did well but I thought Ganim did the best. Specifically Finch’s answer to the city employee question was hogwash. There is no constitutional guarantee to run for office. Article six simply says the states must provide a republican form of government. In fact there is not even a constitutional right to vote. As to Ganim when he says he kept taxes down he fails to mention he had no control over taxes as the state was essentially running the city during most of his time in office. It was a great crowd and that was encouraging but I still fear a very low turnout. Foster made no mistakes but there was no sense she has the fire in her belly.
Don Greenberg, I pretty much agree with your assessment. Mayor Finch needs to work on his delivery, Ganim did not save the city from bankruptcy. He was the beneficiary of Weicker’s generosity and President Clinton’s during prosperous times, while the city neglected to manifest any real economic development or private investment that did not pay to play. The state was running the city and Ganim was lining his pockets, which brings us to Foster;s inability to knock out Ganim. Is the fire gone? I am not sure three weeks is enough time to revive her campaign. I though Ganim did a great job and I think Mayor Finch would have done an even better job had he spoken from the heart and not the paper. Ganim was an Attorney and Foster was an actress in commercials. Please don’t squeeze the Charmin. 🙂 Mayor Finch has the best message to sell!!!
Steve, why do you keep putting your wishes on MJF, we all know Finch needs help in pulling down Joe but that’s not her job, that’s Mayor Finch’s job and yours, not hers.
Ron Mackey, Finch no longer needs to pull down Joe. Since MJF didn’t knock out Joe, she lost her opportunity. Finch is not going after Ganim’s votes, or Foster’s. Finch is solid.
Why would you write crap like this and then smile in her face, like I am sure you did last night? You give duplicity a new meaning.
Wicca, I smiled to her face and told her she did well. Gage her campaign manager will attest to everything I have written on this blog about Mary-Jane I have pretty much discussed with him on numerous occasions. I absolutely believe Mary-Jane is going to lose. I said that before she ran. I absolutely believed her only chance at redemption was knocking Ganim out and then being the top dog to go after Finch. Last night was her chance. Wicca, I do not now or ever speak out of both sides of my mouth. Ganim did a great job making her invisible as I have been saying for weeks. Now mind you Wicca, I am a total Finch supporter and Mary-Jane is not a threat at all. Her hope for revival was knocking Ganim out and making front-page news, she did not. Wicca, it is hard to watch a friend so ill-advised and watching poll numbers plummet. The biggest problem is she thought she was running against Finch. Ganim has all her votes, all of them. I have said this over and over and over again. Mary-Jane Foster knows exactly how I feel. I told Mary-Jane with a smile exactly what I thought and I think she is terrific. I told Joe Ganim I thought he did an excellent job. Why? Because he did. I am honest. I do believe Mayor Finch has the best story to tell and he is most effective without notes. I have been honest with all candidates since day one. Everyone on this blog knows where I stand. This is not politics or personalities. This is about the future of our great city. The ability to attract developers, jobs and young families. I am not over the top with Finch. To me he is the only choice.
Wicca, for the record, I have had to endure vile attacks because I appeared to be the only Finch supporter on this blog. My ego Is not fragile and I truly do not take any of these attacks personally. I can remember when every comment of mine was just plain pro-Bridgeport, and still I was attacked for wearing rose-colored glasses. The glass is half full or half empty. We can get excited about new schools and development, 1000 new housing units etc etc etc. We can make fun of a green Mayor and green signs or we can focus on a shooting at Trumbull Gardens. This is as real as everything I just mentioned. I choose the optimism of the future and although I appreciate your support of Mary-Jane Foster in a very sincere manner, I can assure you my intent has always been to stimulate her campaign. I am sorry it has not worked and it is just frustrating. I am shocked not one Foster supporter has agreed with me. That is a good thing I guess as it shows I am supporting the right candidate now!
I can understand from a male perspective not seeing the fire in the belly. While I understand playing in the all boys (until a few decades ago) field of getting elected, we women are charged with campaign and debate with the big boys if you want to enter this game of politics. However we women tend to put our shoulders to the task at hand and quietly gather support, delegate tasks and Get It Done. MJF’s first 50 days plan is the way we work effectively. Also, if she came out on fire and was the hard-talking, punch-throwing candidate, well we all know the unflattering names she would be called. You say bitch like it’s a bad thing, probably is not a winning slogan.
Last night wasn’t a “boy’s” club. There was only one “boy,” and that was Bill Finch. His immaturity was on display for one and all, getting snarky when things weren’t going his way.
At the end, the boys shook hands and ignored the lady. These subtle forms of public display of lack of inclusion is to me a prime example of the “boys club.” And I though mayor Finch handled the Dixon attack very well. I probably would have said WFT Dixon!!! And most people on this blog at one time or another have bashed the CT Post and their poor performance.
Jennifer, thank you, that was well stated. Steve wants MJF to do his and Bill Finch’s dirty work and his agenda, but that’s not her agenda.
Don: I think your assessment is accurate and fairly presented.
In my estimation there was too much talk about the past and not nearly enough about the future.
While there was talk about the present, it should have led to much more talk about the future.
We heard hints of the future from Joe, but essentially nothing from Bill or Mary-Jane.
I’ll look forward to hearing much more about the future in the coming debates and in the candidates’ literature/media presentations.
Thanks for a clear, balanced report, Don. It clears the air of a lot of emotion-laden clouds.
There was much talk of the past, a little bit about a “What if?” future, nothing about the present. We live in the present; yesterday is for the newspapers, tomorrow is for Gypsies to predict with Tarot cards or a crystal ball. Not one of the three candidates on last night’s stage said a word about socioeconomic issues. After the riots in Ferguson Missouri and Baltimore Maryland, social injustice can no longer be ignored. After Occupy Wall Street, income inequality can no longer be ignored. After the past 25 years of corruption, ineptitude, antipathy and injustice (not to mention drug abuse and alcoholism) in Bridgeport City Hall, it’s time to say “Enough is enough.”
Enough is Enough (No More Tears). Barbara Streisand and Donna Summers. Huge disco hit. Just saying!
Good grief, Steven. You post inanities like that and wonder why no one takes you seriously.
Perhaps some of you might wish to watch the forum again.
www .ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11914
Bill Finch listed his accomplishments and his priorities with his usual unctuous sincerity. He was a snooze fest except for a brief flash of fire when challenged about the lack of current crime statistics and information. It’s a shame his administration couldn’t be as transparent as his attempt to fool the audience into believing MJF was denigrating the Police Dept.
Joe Ganim did surprisingly well, and is certainly more likable than Finch. Ganim hammered Finch on the two issues that are on the minds of many of us–taxes and crime. I voted for him when he ran in the past, but wouldn’t do it again. He violated our trust, and while he can and should be forgiven, it’s just plain stupid to give him the chance to do it again.
Mary-Jane Foster is clearly the most intelligent of the three. She did way better than making “no mistakes;” she gave forthright, thoughtful and informative answers to all the questions. She pushed back when Finch tried to mischaracterize her support of the Bridgeport Police Dept., and she didn’t have to raise her voice to do it.
Finch has never had a comfortable relationship with the rank and file members of the Bridgeport Police Department. The union endorsed Smokin’ Joe Ganim this year; four years ago the union endorsed Mary-Jane Foster. The union representing firefighters endorsed Tax Bill Finch; from what I have learned not all of that union’s members are supporting Finch. How important are union endorsements anyway? When the voter is in the booth filling out the ballot, his or her choices are entirely personal.
From my experience in a union and political endorsements, the message is loud, clear and repeated to membership, this is who we endorse and why, including the message your job security is at stake if you do not vote for our endorsed candidate. Tell your family, friends and neighbors, with talking points included. Granted, in the booth and privacy of your home, you might not buy into it. Your job is at stake, along with your fellow workers is a pretty strong message that often resonates with union membership.
Legal minds weigh in please, the following link covers article 11-26, I read it as giving citizens specific rights to vote, but I could be wrong.
www .archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html
There will be six names on the general ballot. Two of them are convicted felons (Joe Ganim is not the only one with a criminal past); an elderly retired school teacher; a police officer; a university vice president; a successful businessman and City Council member; and the incompetent incumbent. A colorful cast, to say the least.
Only two of the candidates can be accurately described as reform or progressive. Joe Ganim was convicted of racketeering. Racketeering, as if he were a Mafioso. Tony Barr, a former high school basketball star who served 20 years in prison for drug trafficking and weapons possession. That’s just great, that’s just fucking great.