City Council member James "Smuggie" Mitchell will be attending the Republican National Convention next month in St. Paul, Minn. Say what? Mitchell is a lifelong Democrat.
He's also going to the Democratic convention in Denver later this month. Mitchell will attend both conventions as president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, a nonpartisan group that's part of the National League of Cities.
"Sometimes duty calls," he told me. And he pointed out that the top issues for cities at the moment -- foreclosures and crime -- aren't partisan issues anyway.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Quiz: Which local pol to attend both conventions?
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17 comments:
It is nice to see an elected official unbiasly seeking information from both parties. There are pros and cons to both parties, therefore both should be listened to before making a final decision.
"Mary Newsom on growth in the Charlotte region"
Uh huh. Tell me again what this blog entry has to do with growth?
Perhaps you should change the subtitle to "Mary's blog about random left-wing stuff that she cares about" and drop the "growth" pretense.
I thought her blogs were about the north vs the south? What gives i dont think anyone can work go home yankee or dumb local into this.
You didn't reveal much on this topic, Mary. Do we have to read the National Enquirer to get answers?
Just what will be Mr. Mitchell's convention duties that are important enough to draw him away from his city council duties? Will he be bargaining with the platform committees, or just throwing confetti into the air? If bargaining, just what does he or the National Black Caucus of LEC propose as planks to combat foreclosures and crime? And just what is he doing locally to solve those problems?
Can we be assured that the expenses of his trips won't be footed by Charlotte taxpayers?
"Sometimes duty calls," he told me. And he pointed out that the top issues for cities at the moment -- foreclosures and crime -- aren't partisan issues anyway.
No problems are themselves partisan. But the proposed solutions to them almost always are.
Even though I agree this topic is WAY off base for the blog in question, I must applaud Mr. Mitchell.
Of course, if all the two-faced politicians attended both conventions...
Oh, never mind. When their mouths are moving, I can't tell any of them apart.
Unbelievable. I make a wiseacre, good-natured response to 4:38, and Mary deletes it.
Why don't you GROW a sense of humor, Mary?
The first poster here says it's nice to see an elected official seeking information before making a decision, and I agree. It WOULD be nice, if that were what was happening, but it is not. Attending the conventions can hardly be about seeking information: both parties platforms are available without leaving your chair. Nor is it about brainstorming solutions to local government problems: that is not the nature of political conventions.
Neither party convention will conduct any serious business. Their nominees are known. Their platforms are known. There IS no unfinished business. The conventions are, for the candidates, free exposure of a carefully scripted message presented as news. They represent the best opportunity to rally the party faithful. For the attendees they amount to little more than a social event for folks whose hobby is party politics.
Put int he context of what really happens at modern party conventions, it is beyond naive to ascribe to attendance any serious purpose.
Judging by the number of comments that don't address Mary's current topic, but are still spewing the same hatred we spit 150 years ago, the autor of "Dixie" sure was telling the truth when he wrote that "Old Times Here Are Not Forgotten".
Instead of sending federal troops to Georgia, maybe President Bush needs to send them to North Carolina to bring the rebels back into the fold ...and this time with no amnesty.
Some of ya'll are truly pathetic. You spew your hate but are not man (or woman) enough to sign your name to your trash.
I wish these blogs would get rid of anonymous posts. If you are going to say something, be ready to stand behind it. Don't be a wus.
Since this is wide open apparently, has anyone seen the CNN article on DYIers converting their cars to electric?
From the article, it sounds like many components are altered/removed ( in one case the entire exhaust system ).
How will this jive with our emissions test required every year in NC?
If we are able to convert our cars to electric, we will then fail the emissions test because of "altering" the exhaust systems?
Is there a waiver for such conversions?
I am somewhat confused about james mitchell. He is a member of the black political whatevers, and now he said he is an African/American.
When are "you people" going to become Americans, not an unknown group of hyphenated folks because your skin color is brown. Other Americans do no set out that way even though we are. Good luck on finding yourself.
Unbiased one madam. Keep adding good articles to the blogosphere
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