Plusquellic Kicks Finley's Ass In (D)ebate
Yesterday Democratic challenger Joe Finley took on incumbent Mayor of Akron Don Plusquellic in a luncheon debate at the Martin Center at the University of Akron. Yours truly was seated in the back of the room and watched most of the debate on the television in the corner. Finley began by thanking god, his large family, his sons who are serving in the military, his wife who is managing his campaign... and then it was right into the parking attendant story. The timing was really awkward and was the first of many indications of the inadequate debate preparation by team Finley. After that, it was all down hill for Joe. He had nothing to say. It was almost like he was ad libbing policy answers and character attacks from the podium and didn't really have much planned.Plusquellic just outclassed his opponent. It wasn't even close. Whether it was the city's partnership with The University of Akron, regionalism, budgeting priorities, the stadium downtown, or a plans for the future, Plusquellic's experience and understanding of the issues affecting our community was evident in every answer. Without any real time constraints from the moderators, the Mayor was able to discuss in great detail some of the things he has accomplished in the city. He also had time to scan the audience from the podium and point to many different people in attendance he had worked with to get things done. The Mayor looked like a leader. Finley's only theme was trying to attack the Mayor's temperament. Plusquellic openly admitted to having disagreements with people, but explained how that is part of the process of negotiation and that just because he disagrees with someone doesn't mean he doesn't like them personally. I think one exception to that rule is his relationship with Finley. These two men clearly don't like each other personally. However, Plusquellic kept his cool and didn't go for a knock out punch on Finley, would have come across as picking on someone who wasn't his size.
I don't mean any disrespect to Joe Finley with the title of this post. I just call it like I see it and there was nothing yesterday that leads me to conclude anything other than Plusquellic whooped him. I suppose Finley deserves credit for getting into this race, but just because he is participating does not mean he is at all qualified. He certainly didn't show it today. Finley's going to get some votes in the primary from people who will vote for anybody but the mayor. Yippee. The question facing Democratic voters in the Primary on September 11, 2007 is: Do you think the City of Akron is on the right track? My answer is a strong yes and that is why Mayor Plusquellic will have my vote.
***Watch the debate online and make up your own mind - viewable with RealPlayer
By Kyle - 8/28/2007
18 Comments:
Thanks for the review. I really wanted to be there, but will have to wait to view it on the tv Thursday night. I just posted a review of comments on the mayoral race posted at ohio.com on my blog. AT first glance, it looks like a groundswell for Finley, but then the realization that, as you put it, these are the few who will vote for anybody but Don P.
I give anyone credit in any political race who fights with everything they have and gives it their all knowing they are not going to win. That takes alot of guts to put your name on the ballot, letting other people decide your fate. It isnt for most people, im not sure it would be for me.
I heard the debate on WNIR tonight and I thought Joe held his own. He appeals to middle class voters in Akron with the msg: Stop the subsidies for millionaires, make enough cuts to fully fund the police force, focus remaining dollars on repairing neighborhoods, take advantage of job training dollars, help small businesses grow. Plusquellic is just lying about police funding. This Spring he said we needed funding to bring the Police force to full strength now he says it is at full strength. 526 is the full strength and we aren't there.
Plusquellic doesn't put up with any forcefully argued dissent and he punishes local businesses that disagree with his reign.
Plusquellic also touts his "honesty" when he backed Dave Portis, Joe Kidder, and Ray Kapper. Two of which had federal criminal problems. One of which just got thousands of dollars of free work on his house. You should go read his defenses of Kapper and Kidder a few years ago and look up his endorsements of Dave Portis for council. In any other City these scandals would have buried the Mayor, but not here thanks to the BJ.
I think Plusquellic is worried about whatever is on the tape. His voice shook on the radio.
By the way, the Beacon Journal comments battles are great if you haven't read them.
If you think Plusquellic kicked Finley's butt, you weren't at the same debate that I attended. From my vantage point, Finley clearly put the mayor on defensive at every point and the audience could see, it took every once of restraint for P, not to loose his composure, whereas, F was calm and cool, the entire time. The previous anonymous blogger summarized everything very nicely. Wake up Akron, it's time for a change. This great city deserves lot better.
Village Green, I don't think the comment section at Ohio.com is a good place to get the pulse of the electorate in Summit County. Any groundswell for Finley in the comment section was likely manufactured. There were only two tables of people clapping for Finley in the entire debate. That is only 16 people who could have seen the debate and logged on there to comment. 8 of those were Finley's kids.
Ben, on participation I give Finley credit.
Anonymous 1, Finley didn't hold his own and has no record as a councilman of doing any of the things he proposes.
Anonymous 2, go to sleep. Akron does not need the kind of "change" Joe Finley would bring.
not everything the don does is great, and there is alot of graft in his organization, but as a whole I see no reason to vote in someone else who appears to have the ideas and organizational skills of a lime rickey
Hey Kyle,
Two tables were for finley, How many tables other then press were forced to be there by the Mayor DUH!
And out of those tables, how many including dave Lieberth were there holding there breath and praying that Plusquellic would not explode???
There were a lot of people there hoping for a good debate. Many left disappointed including me.
or channel 15 on time- warner cable. Perhaps over the radio Don lost but I felt when watching th two Don appeared in control. To the hell with the facts it is all perception. That is the one thing I have learned reading this liberal blog
Fred, what are you talking about? Please site an example.
I was excluding you from that crack Kyle(Ishould have done that up front). Most recent example. Chuck's rant about if you are a Rep. you are a hypocrite and many of the comments on that post. Like Chuck, I have my own rants and one of my continuing rants is we (including myself) play the who is worse game which is bascialy an exercise in perception rather than dealing with the underlining problem. Kyle I will say it one more time--you hold the people you support accountable and you are to be applauded for that.
Hear, hear Fred - good show old chap
We both seem aware that when we play the polarized blame game - we play the propaganda political power game intravenouslt fed us by our demagogue leaders.
I just this morning heard a revelant interview of Mayor Bloomberg (NYC) - In which he astutely stated that the public must pressure their elected leaders with RESPONSIBILITY
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC
In my opinion - it is not unproductive to be aware of or discuss the failings of our elected- BUT it is unproductive to play the above stated game.....and I suppose, that at least some of our rants here on TCS are stimulations that foster some actions that may hold our elected accountable.
More thoughts:
The Chief Source serves many functions such as a source for venting which may give a blogger strenght to carry on a govt responsiblity campaign.
Also a chance to learn from others, provided one has an open mind
Maybe, what passes for one thing objectionable to the reader - is the pefect catharsis for the writer
Carry on:: Chuck, Kyle , Robert
srory for the ydslexai...flarup
Petey, thanks for your thoughts. I learn a lot by participating in this blog from our readers. I think what keeps us doing this thing is the feedback. It is addicting and what makes this fun.
Just for the record, the Finley team had four tables of ten plus others who chose not to sit at the Finley table but were supporters. The table where I sat , I counted five such people, including me so either you can't count or, as I pointed out in my earlier blog, we weren't at the same debate.
But really folks, isn't anyone concerned about our debt and how we got there? You don't dangle tax incentives, hoping companies will locate to Akron; you must convince them that the fundamentals of the business environment of Akron fits their specific business model. If you play the former game, as this Mayor has, you're going to loose because there are too many other communities playing that same game that have lot more money than Akron. We are strategically located in the center of 70% of the American market, we have two great universities with world renown technologies in polymer science and liquid chrytal, we have two world class hospitals with tremendous opportunities to develop bio-med products and markets - show me one piece of literature this administration has done to market these fundamental strengths of Akron. As for legislation, give Joe credit for being the lone voice of dissent for many legislation that have gone awry. Remenber, he came out strongly, against the tax increase and the voters endorsed his position by soundly defeating the measure. It's pretty tough to introduce legislation when the cards are stacked 11 to 1, against you.
And FYI, the Akron area PRSA will be hosting a presentation on Ethics in Politics of Election and of Government on September 6 (next Thursday) at the Martin Center 11:30 Lunch with program beginning at 12:15. Among the panelists will be Mayor Robart. Are you interested??
Billy-Oh
Finley is clearly not a politician, but is that a bad thing? I think Joe did fine personally.
I grew up in Akron, and remember walking downtown with my mom to pay utility bills about 20 years ago. I think there's been some progress to give people a reason to go downtown, but is it enough for a guy thats been in office for a long time.
I see more business leaving Akron then coming in and that's not a good thing.
Area's once nice neighberhoods 10-20 years ago are now taken over by drugs and gangs.
I think it's time for somebody new.
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