Jul
27
Posted on 07-27-2007 at 12:30pm
You People Are Worthless UPDATED
Filed Under (Government & Politics) by Roger Abramson on 07-27-2007

I must say, I was extremely disappointed with the response to my plaintive cry for help with my council-at-large choices. Your apathy has forced me to do something no undecided voter should ever have to do: make up my own mind. I hope you’re happy.

Now, in fairness, a few of you did care enough about this great city to share your thoughts, so I started with those and then did my own research. Here are my final choices:

1. Brady Banks
2. Megan Barry
3. Richard Exton
4. David Pelton
5. Peter Westerholm

Quite frankly, I’m only truly comfortable with three of these choices. I have no real qualms about either Exton, Pelton or Westerholm, and will be glad to pull the lever (push the button) for them.

As for Banks and Barry, well…you know, part of the fun (for me anyway) of voting in a wide-open race like this with generally mediocre candidates (and one that includes the exciting opportunity to enable rank sociopathy) is that I feel free to put myself in the shoes of the average voter and vote that way people think the average voters votes, which is to say, superfically. I don’t think I’ve ever voted superfically in my life, so it will be a new experience: slumming in the voting booth, so to speak.

Here are my reasons for voting for these two:

Banks — First name on the list, plus you can’t beat the name itself. Alliterative, for one thing. Also sounds like he should be a second baseman for a major league baseball team. “Next up for the Mets, Braaaaaddeeeee Baaaaaaaaaaanks!”

Barry — First female name on the list, and I think it’s extremely important that we have more women on the council since they can provide the unique perspective on local affairs you get when you have to sit down to pee. Plus (and and this is a personal reason), Megan is Bruce Barry’s wife, and I will enjoy lording my vote for his better half over him for years to come. One downside: If she’s elected, we’ll probably be hearing a lot more whining about Metro schools’ dress code policy. The upside: I’m not going to be a resident of Davidson County as of a week from today, so I don’t really give a crap.

I notice, in review, that my list is exactly like Braisted’s list. We’re, like, total twinsies! Actually, if I were a Democrat, I would probably be more or less a Sean Braisted Democrat, so this makes sense.

Anyway, thanks for nothing, people. When this city goes into the toilet, you’ll only have yourselves to blame.

UPDATE I: In an email, Kleinheider points out that my list was not exactly like Braisted’s inasmuch as my list omitted Jerry Maynard. Good point, though it should be noted that SB’ list had six people on it and you only vote for five.

UPDATE II: Kleinheider asks for whom I voted in the mayor’s race. Well, let’s just run down them all, shall we, with the Mayor’s race last for extra suspense:

Vice-Mayor: Diane Neighbors

This race sucked donkey balls. I think Neighbors is one of the most overrated people on the council. Unfortunately, I think Tucker is even worse. So Neighbors it was. I much rather would have been voting for David Briley in this race. Thanks Torry Johnson (not to mention Ronnie Steine, whose planned presence on the ballot was–to my mind–one of the unstated reasons Johnson backed out)!

District 31: Fabian Bedne

I ran for this seat four years ago and narrowly lost, in a campaign worked and managed almost completely by my lonesome, to Parker Toler, the incumbent in this race (read the exciting retrospective here). I like Parker personally, but feel his stewardship of the district left something to be desired. I have met Fabian and was fairly impressed, though I think he’s the sure underdog in this one.

Mayor: David Briley

As I said, I would have much preferred to vote for David in the race for vice-mayor, I position for which I think he is supremely fit. But things are what they are, and I had to consider him among the contenders for Mayor, my opinions of whom follow:

Bob Clement: As I much I appreciate his efforts to push boondoggles like the landport and the Music City Star on the city as congressman, I would like someone who has more than just a few ideas and whose few ideas are not completely stupid.

Buck Dozier: As thrilling as it would be to see Nashville both rid of the Gay Menace and ripe for the sort of good ole boy local politics of the 1980s, other issues interest me more.

Howard Gentry: Man can’t run a council meeting. How can he run a city?

Karl Dean: I am simply skeptical of Karl Dean because he’s a drafted candidate who has not shown me that he has the ability to stand on his own two feet. Phil Bredesen and Bill Purcell were both political self-starters and it served them well in office. I just don’t see that in Dean.

So, that leaves David Briley. I got to know David when I ran for council four years and found him to be an extremely engaging person. I find him thoughful, creative and willing to listen to and engage differing opinions. I think he is the most natural heir to the Bredesen-Purcell Era of the last 16 years, a legacy that has been–in the main–quite impressive. Now, is he a political liberal? Yes. But so too are Purcell and–to a lesser extent–Bredesen, and I’ve been satisfied with them. Anyway, news flash here: none of the candidates for mayor are conservatives in any overall sense, and the ones that are “conservative” in some ways (e.g., Dozier and Clement) are just too old school (read: Dick Fulton) for my tastes. We’re in Davidson County; we’re stuck with a generally center-left electorate. That means generally center-left candidates. Get used to it. Or move.

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Comments

Kleinheider on 27 July, 2007 at 11:06 am #

Whose your mayoral candidate?


Kleinheider on 27 July, 2007 at 11:07 am #

Whose=”Who is”


Volunteer Voters » What’s In A Name: Ballot Position Boosts Banks And Barry on 27 July, 2007 at 11:12 am #

[…] Roger Abramson, after getting little help from the peanut gallery, decides on his Council at-Large candidates and uses two of his picks to illustrate how many voters may end up choosing candidates: Here are my reasons for voting for these two: […]


Chris Wage on 27 July, 2007 at 11:41 am #

Wait, you’re not a democrat?

I talked to Brady Banks briefly before the mayoral debate. He seemed pretty sharp, though his ideas for the homeless/affordable housing issue didn’t impress me (Hey, everyone has a pet issue)


Sean Braisted on 27 July, 2007 at 11:50 am #

And if I were a Republican, if I didn’t succumb to the desire to pull the trigger on myself, I’d be a Roger Abramson Republican ;-)

Good picks overall.


Mack on 27 July, 2007 at 11:51 am #

Then I will be calling you to work on his eventual campaign, Roger. Cause that kid (I’m old enough to call you that, Sean) is destined for big things. Smart, compassionate, gutsy. Hey, Bob Tuke, you listening?


Mack on 27 July, 2007 at 11:52 am #

Yes, I know Tuke “retired”.


bb on 27 July, 2007 at 12:20 pm #

I feel lorded over already.


Sean Braisted on 27 July, 2007 at 12:28 pm #

Heh, well thanks Mack for the words of encouragement…but I’ve already achieved all that life could throw at me in the Grand Theft Auto series…what more is there to do?


Chris Wage on 27 July, 2007 at 12:59 pm #

Howard Gentry: Man can’t run a council meeting. How can he run a city?

Ouch.


Mack on 27 July, 2007 at 1:27 pm #

(genuflecting) Jeeesh, Sean, I could never get past the bike level.


Liberadio(!) - Nashville's Liberal Talk Radio Show on 27 July, 2007 at 1:46 pm #

[…] Music City Bloggers (Roger Abramson) […]


alison on 27 July, 2007 at 2:08 pm #

I voted for Briley solely on the fact that he got the teacher’s endorsement and his kids actually go to public school. I feel that you can’t run on a “woo rah!” education platform and send your kids to private school.

I’m looking at you, Karl Dean.


Aunt B. on 27 July, 2007 at 2:13 pm #

I’m embarrassed to admit that I can’t keep Karl Dean and Ron Paul straight.


Katherine Coble on 27 July, 2007 at 2:20 pm #

B..here’s a tip.

I’m voting for Ron Paul.


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 2:27 pm #

Alison —

Good point. One of things I will always give Bruce Barry proper notice for is that he does the same thing.


Jim Boyd on 27 July, 2007 at 2:30 pm #

Interesting.


DB Carden on 27 July, 2007 at 2:36 pm #

I will be voting for Briley too. I may post about it over at our place this weekend, who knows. As far as the at-large race, I have been merely eliminating candidates as they have their automated messages call me.


Katherine Coble on 27 July, 2007 at 2:37 pm #

I have been merely eliminating candidates as they have their automated messages call me.

-
Ha!

David and I have the same deciding factor in this race!!!


News 2 Me on 27 July, 2007 at 2:41 pm #

I wouldn’t reward Mrs. Barry or spouse with even glancing consideration.


Sean Braisted on 27 July, 2007 at 2:59 pm #

I just caught that you are not going to be living in Davidson County much longer Roger, don’t tell me your going out to Brentwood?


Katherine Coble on 27 July, 2007 at 3:12 pm #

Of course he is. ;-p


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 3:17 pm #

Brentwood: Where the chain restaurants reign and the Republican votes actually count.

Yes, after 36 years (give or take) as a Nashville resident, I am going to the Dark Side.


Katherine Coble on 27 July, 2007 at 3:18 pm #

Is Bonefish Grill a chain restaurant?


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 3:19 pm #

Sean Braisted: Anti-Brentite.


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 3:20 pm #

Well, duh:

http://bfg.know-where.com/bonefishgrill/


Rachel Walden on 27 July, 2007 at 3:21 pm #

Kat - Yes, it is.


nm on 27 July, 2007 at 3:22 pm #

Is the Bonefish Grill any good and do they serve fish that isn’t fried? My father-in-law is always complaining because he wants us to take him to a fish restaurant.


Sean Braisted on 27 July, 2007 at 3:27 pm #

Ughh, Davidson County just died a lil’ bit inside :-(


Jim Boyd on 27 July, 2007 at 3:28 pm #

“Brentwood: Where the chain restaurants reign and the Republican votes actually count.”

Ha, ha, ha! I’m a very jocular mood today.

But what happens to Democrat and Moderate votes in Brentwood?!?


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 3:28 pm #

I tried…I really did.


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 3:30 pm #

Jim –

Democartic votes, of course, mean nothing in Brentwood. Moderate votes do, some, if they are Republican votes. But certainly a conservative Republican stronghold.


Jim Boyd on 27 July, 2007 at 3:36 pm #

Oh… Roger.
That’s a good and serious answer for a Friday afternoon.
I was kinda hoping you were going to tell me those votes got ground up with the cabbage to make the coleslaw at Captain Ds!


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 3:38 pm #

OK, you lost me on that one. I’ll bite…what do you mean?


Katherine Coble on 27 July, 2007 at 3:51 pm #

I was kinda hoping you were going to tell me those votes got ground up with the cabbage to make the coleslaw at Captain Ds!

I know all those words, but don’t understand them when they’re put together like that.


Jim Boyd on 27 July, 2007 at 3:54 pm #

Roger…
I was just being humorous.
I know a politician (I prefer Statesman) is supposed to be serious, dry, dull and humorless, but I read your ‘funny’ about Brentwood and couldn’t help jumping in.
Sorry if I threw you off the tracks. I’ll try to be a little more serious from here on out.
Jim


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 3:56 pm #

Ah! OK.


Chris Wage on 27 July, 2007 at 4:06 pm #

Brentwood? Never heard of it.. Is that outside of the 440 loop (aka the known limits of the universe)?


Roger Abramson on 27 July, 2007 at 4:07 pm #

It’s a little to the south of Nashville. Contrary to popular opinion, it is very diverse, if you count the Tennessee Titans who live there.


bluecmuse on 27 July, 2007 at 4:08 pm #

Kat C. -

I know all those words, but don’t understand them when they’re put together like that.

How about like this?

I was kinda hoping the Captain D’s coleslaw got ground up with the votes at those cabbage you were going to tell me to make!

BCM


Jim Boyd on 27 July, 2007 at 4:14 pm #

Uh… now I’m lost.


Chris Wage on 27 July, 2007 at 4:28 pm #

That’s very clever, Roger, but it’s turtles all the way down!


LeftWingCracker on 27 July, 2007 at 6:00 pm #

You endorse Briley (I always thought you were a closet leftie) and THEN decided to move behind the Williamson Curtain? That’s confusing, to say the least…

Good luck in Brentwood, and make sure you have your papers on you at all times!

:-)


MissSharonCobb on 27 July, 2007 at 6:01 pm #

Mack,
Do you think Tuke will come out of retirement for Lamar’s seat?

Unless Harold goes for it, who else do we have who will run for that seat?


Jeff Morris on 28 July, 2007 at 10:04 pm #

Roger and Sean,
Ironic the Dem took some extra thought, while the Rep has it as a slam dunk. :) Either way, you’re both right on Peter! Join all of us Thursday night… first drink is on me!


Sean Braisted on 29 July, 2007 at 10:21 am #

Sharon,

The most likely candidate for that seat is Mike McWhertor, Governor McWhertor’s son.


Bryan on 29 July, 2007 at 12:32 pm #

Good candidate review, Roger. This is why you are one of my favorite Republicans.

As for moving to Williamson County - say it ain’t so, Roger! You are too intelligent for your opinions to be lost in the drone and hum of Williamson County political discussion! Stay the course, dude!


Kristine on 30 July, 2007 at 11:00 am #

The new Davidson County Democratic Party’s website has a Voters’ Guide to the upcoming Metro Elections. The Guide contains biographies and responses to our Issues Survey. The candidates’ responses are unedited except for formatting for consistency. All of the mayoral candidates submitted responses to our requests and many of the Metro Council candidates as well. The page is found at http://www.davidsondemocrats.com/elections.html

We have received good feedback about the information from the community and would like for more people to know about this resource.