Election Perspective

The surprise primary win of Maureen was a harbinger for what was to come. While many of her supporters were happy that she beat Jack in the primary I felt it would galvanize his supporters and they would pull out the stops to crush her. Jacks pack, put up so many signs it created sign fatigue and in essence, negated all of the signs that just became an optical irritation over time.He then proceeded to make this election a referendum on Jennifer Granholm. I even received some anti Brosnan literature with Kwame Kilpatricks name on it. What? The only person that the majority of Livonia voters hate more than the Governor is the Detroit Mayor. Remember during the recall battle when voters were told at the polls that if the recall succeeded Detroit would be running our district? Detroit pols aren't the only ones that play the race card. Jacks support starts with a very large base of school employees, and most of his workers come from that pool. Check out the picture in the observer newspaper of woman for Jack. Recognize anyone affiliated with LPS? Jacks roots are in education and they run very deep. He also pandered to the Pro Life supporters something the winning council candidates did as well. Although I don't believe the new deja-vu mayor and council will be overturning Rowe v Wade anytime soon. It is a sizable group of one issue citizens that do vote.I do not fault anyone for running to win and once again Jack showed what a seasoned politician he is. When Kirksey entered the race I said he will be mayor again unless some one can beat him. Joe and Maureen were simply not able to do that. The nail in the coffin came during the weekend prior to the election with the saturation of the TV add with Granholm and Maureen posing like sorority sisters with the devastating voice over tag line, " While she was raising your taxes she was bankrolling Brosnan." A reference to not only the Lansing fiasco but the ten thousand dollar campaign contribution. Maureen could have defused the criticism by returning the money and going on the attack. I would have done a mailer linking my opponent to Osama Bin Laden and any other nefarious person that resonates with voters, just to point out the absurdity of it all. The real shame of this campaign was the inability of voters to get anything of substance from the questions and answers at the forums. I hope in the future we move to real debate formats allowing for give and take among the candidates. It's been said we get the government we deserve and we now hold the distinction of having the oldest mayor in the country. As a boomer I only have one thing left to say. Senior Power!