Rybak or McLaughlin?

[Tigress DEM]

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/02/13_hughesa_mplsmayor

Is it just me or does Rybak come off as a "good ol boy" and McLaughlin as someone who is pushing the edge a bit?

<snip>
"It's a new world," Rybak said. "It's not the old politics anymore. We have a very different place that we're in right now. And what it takes in this new world is to be able to take, I think, some of the experience that I have from outside politics -- as somebody who's been at the grassroots level, who's been an organizer, who knows you have to fight in new and different ways."

<snip>
"When this mayor was elected it was a different era," McLaughlin said. "The governor was giving away rebates -- that was a different time. We're in a very difficult situation right now. I think what we need is a mayor who has shown he can get things done."

He also warned of the city's crime rate inching up. He said public safety is the first priority for the city budget -- a dig at the Rybak administration's recent spending plan that came close to laying off police officers.

McLaughlin praised the year-old agreement signed by police officials and community leaders and mediated by the U.S. Department of Justice, which is designed to ease tension between the police and citizens. He says trusted dialogue among established lines is the best way to maintain good relations between police and community critics.

[Tigress DEM]

1. No opinions? Well, maybe tomorrow. It's late.

I'll follow up then.

[katinmn]

2. Interesting: They both agree its a new time, a new world.

The article might make Ryback out like "a good old boy" to some, but I don't see him that way and this article doesn't convince me otherwise.

Incumbents always have to defend their records.

[goodhue]

3. Rybak!

It is McLaughlin who is the "good old boy" in terms of Mpls DLF politics. He has been elected DFL official for twenty years now (first in MN house, now on County Commission). Rybak in contrast is outsider gadfly who, brand new to DFL politics, took out incumbent DFL mayor in 2001. The good old boys (a lot gals actually) did not like that. Combine that resentment with unhappy police and fire because of state-driven budget cuts and pissed off neighbors due to inherited NRP budget shortfalls and botched school closings, and you have McLaughlin's candidacy. Rybak will easily beat McLaughlin in general; it would be foolhardy for DFL to endorse McLaughlin.

[no name no slogan]

4. Last time around, Rybak was the "outsider"

McLaughlin is part of the "old boys club" in Minneapolis DFL politics. He was supposed to be the one who ran for mayor after Sayles-Belton stepped down, but R.T. monkeywrenched that plan four years ago when he not only got the DFL endorsement but won the election, to boot.

Peter is a great guy and would be a good candidate any other year, but I have a hard time supporting somebody who is running against a good incumbent mayor. To me, it seems that McLaughlin is a little peeved that HE didn't get to be mayor next, as was the plan of the party bigwigs. Therefore he's running this year against the incumbent instead of waiting until R.T. steps aside.

Considering that the city has faced major funding challenges (due to the cutback in state aid to cities), R.T. is making the best of a bad situation. He's made some good appointments (fire chief in particular), and he's managed to keep the city afloat despite tough challenges.

That's why I'm supporting him at the city convention in May. :)

[Tigress DEM]

8. Someone said Rybak steps in and takes credit after the fact.

I've also heard he took Republican money and even someone who supported him used the term "weaseled" to describe the way Rybak avoided answering a question.

I hope he is really a good guy and everything I've heard is subjective.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. I don't know much about either candidate

(I had choir practice the night of the debate, and we're preparing for a big concert), but anyone who says that the number one priority for a city is policing automatically gets a big question mark next to his name.

[Tigress DEM]

7. Meaning you think it's strange or merits thought?

The police situation is pretty dire. We had funding for a lot of local cop shops and neighborhood programs that got officers out meeting people and made it so there would be less racial profiling and more working with the community to nip things in the bud before they get out of control.

[dpbrown]

6. Rybak

I'm glad McLaughlin is running, to make Rybak speak to his record and keep him honest, but Rybak has been good for Minneapolis.

[myrna minx]

9. I like Rybeck. I wasn't sure about him at first, but

I like him. He seems authentic to me.