Listening to the interviews and reading through both web sites and casually following the OKCTalk discussions it appears to me to be rather clear that Shadid would be, or aspire to be, the "independent" voice.

I take that to mean that he is not satisfied with the existing city council members and would attempt to influence some kind of different outcome. Although I honestly do not understand precisely source of his dissatisfaction or the differences in outcome he desires.

Swinton clearly would lend his voice to the side pusing the "status quo" at least as it pertains to MAPS which seems to be the largest single issue.

This isn't my ward but if I were unhappy with existing city government or at least the side that's been pushing the MAPS concept, then Shadid seems to me to be the clear choice. On the other hand if I were happy with what's been done then Swinton seems more plausible.

Betts and flintysooner, I see the issue of big money from undisclosed sources rather differently and more along the lines of Sam Bowman's remarks on March 1. I see a self-appointed committee taking it upon themselves to decide who our elected council members ought to be and for reasons that we don't know and at financing levels which are apparently (according to Sam Bowman) rather astonishing. There are at least two major problems:

(1) Transparency and Responsibility. Were I to be comfortable with a civic organization coming up with a slate of candidates, it would be one similar to what existed in the early to mid 1960s, the Association For Responsible Government, which was overtly public and transparent, which solicited citizens for input as to candidates, all of the leaders being publicly known, and anyone being able to join the organization by paying $1.00. The reasons given for favoring its own candidate and/or opposing another were public and consistent and did not vary from ward to ward. It financed and conducted the campaigns of its slate members from contributions received. I could live with that type of an organization which advocated for its slate and against their opponents. But Momentum is hardly that type of a committee.

(2) Bias and/or Conflicts of Interest. I completely agree with Shadid and think that the analogy he made in his own profession about drug suppliers made sense. But, more significantly (to me), there is a heck of a lot of money that the city will be spending with MAPS 3, Core To Shore, as well as other developments which will doubtless occur. I am unable to think that when/if the big money contributors favor or disfavor something in particular that the history of their contributions will be lost upon council members when making his/her own decisions on a matter at hand. "You don't bite the hand which feeds you," comes to mind. But, the worst case scenario could be like that which Tulsa blogger Michael Bates opined in Shadowy 527 jumps into Oklahoma City election (http://www.batesline.com/archives/2011/03/okc-shadowy-527.html):




It's obvious enough that there's some project that someone wants pushed through. Perhaps they want to steer funding to a favored developer or general contractor. Control over the Core-to-Shore redevelopment area might be involved. Voters just gave city government a big pot of money to play with, so it would be worth investing money in a campaign to get control of it.

Perhaps they want to clear away urban design and historic preservation obstacles, the sort that slowed down the undevelopment of Sandridge Commons -- tearing down historic structures, like the India Temple building, which once housed the State Legislature, for a 1960s-style open plaza, the sort that has never worked as a public place. Historic preservation has played a key, but underappreciated, role in Oklahoma City's resurgence, while too many people believe that the city's momentum comes from magically transferring money from citizens to contractors and basketball team owners.

Shadid, being unwilling to accept any PAC (and hardly any other financing, he largely paying for his own campaign) will be in a better position to be freed of such considerations when making his decisions. That doesn't mean that he would become a maverick but it does mean that he will be less likely to be influenced by a long list of supporters say, like those which we are well aware of that were involved with the recent SandRidge episode. I very much like his emphasis on governmental transparency and maximizing public input.

Swinton's remarks during the interview time and again came back to the list of those who are/were supporting him, except there is one problem with that: The members of that list who make up the Momentum committee are unknown.

Betts, you said, "I don't think the voters care that much about the money." I'm saying that, "they should." For me, the Momentum committee ITSELF is a major campaign issue and is a major cause for concern.

Betts and flintysooner, I see the issue of big money from undisclosed sources rather differently and more along the lines of Sam Bowman's remarks on March 1. I see a self-appointed committee taking it upon themselves to decide who our elected council members ought to be and for reasons that we don't know and at financing levels which are apparently (according to Sam Bowman) rather astonishing. There are at least two major problems:

(1) Transparency and Responsibility. Were I to be comfortable with a civic organization coming up with a slate of candidates, it would be one similar to what existed in the early to mid 1960s, the Association For Responsible Government, which was overtly public and transparent, which solicited citizens for input as to candidates, all of the leaders being publicly known, and anyone being able to join the organization by paying $1.00. The reasons given for favoring its own candidate and/or opposing another were public and consistent and did not vary from ward to ward. It financed and conducted the campaigns of its slate members from contributions received. I could live with that type of an organization which advocated for its slate and against their opponents. But Momentum is hardly that type of a committee.

(2) Bias and/or Conflicts of Interest. I completely agree with Shadid and think that the analogy he made in his own profession about drug suppliers made sense. But, more significantly (to me), there is a heck of a lot of money that the city will be spending with MAPS 3, Core To Shore, as well as other developments which will doubtless occur. I am unable to think that when/if the big money contributors favor or disfavor something in particular that the history of their contributions will be lost upon council members when making his/her own decisions on a matter at hand. "You don't bite the hand which feeds you," comes to mind. But, the worst case scenario could be like that which Tulsa blogger Michael Bates opined in Shadowy 527 jumps into Oklahoma City election (http://www.batesline.com/archives/2011/03/okc-shadowy-527.html):




It's obvious enough that there's some project that someone wants pushed through. Perhaps they want to steer funding to a favored developer or general contractor. Control over the Core-to-Shore redevelopment area might be involved. Voters just gave city government a big pot of money to play with, so it would be worth investing money in a campaign to get control of it.

Perhaps they want to clear away urban design and historic preservation obstacles, the sort that slowed down the undevelopment of Sandridge Commons -- tearing down historic structures, like the India Temple building, which once housed the State Legislature, for a 1960s-style open plaza, the sort that has never worked as a public place. Historic preservation has played a key, but underappreciated, role in Oklahoma City's resurgence, while too many people believe that the city's momentum comes from magically transferring money from citizens to contractors and basketball team owners.

Shadid, being unwilling to accept any PAC (and hardly any other financing, he largely paying for his own campaign) will be in a better position to be freed of such considerations when making his decisions. That doesn't mean that he would become a maverick but it does mean that he will be less likely to be influenced by a long list of supporters say, like those which we are well aware of that were involved with the recent SandRidge episode. I very much like his emphasis on governmental transparency and maximizing public input.

Swinton's remarks during the interview time and again came back to the list of those who are/were supporting him, except there is one problem with that: The unknown members of that list who make up the Momentum committee are unknown.

Betts, you said, "I don't think the voters care that much about the money." I'm saying that, "they should." For me, the Momentum committee ITSELF is a major campaign issue and is a major cause for concern.

I am curious if you agree with my assessment of the candidates though?

It has never made that much sense to me to be against someone because of support from an unrelated group but I certainly know that is an often used argument. Even if the group is nefarious which is not clear to me and even if those who support the group are equally sinister it doesn't follow that the candidate is evil.

Shadid reminds me of Walters who seemed to me to take contrary positions for the sake of being contrary.

flintysooner, I'll try (even that is beside the point that I was trying to make). You said ...


Listening to the interviews and reading through both web sites and casually following the OKCTalk discussions it appears to me to be rather clear that Shadid would be, or aspire to be, the "independent" voice.

I take that to mean that he is not satisfied with the existing city council members and would attempt to influence some kind of different outcome. Although I honestly do not understand precisely source of his dissatisfaction or the differences in outcome he desires.
I do think that he would be an independent voice and that that quality is important to him. To me, that means that he will analyze whatever there is to analyze independently, on its merits. My sense is that he sees some or a lot of city government as not being transparent and not having as much citizen input as he thinks should have occurred, but beyond that I'm not aware of anything in particular. Just as possible guesses, that might relate to how OCURA operates, or it might relate to things such as the promise that Mayor Cornett made at the Mayor's Roundtable meeting early in 2010 that opportunities would exist for citizen input to shape what MAPS 3 would be like ... but which opportunities never came to pass. But I really don't know. I don't see in him a need to be ornery for its own sake, though. He strikes me as a rational, reasonable, and thoughtful person.


Swinton clearly would lend his voice to the side pusing the "status quo" at least as it pertains to MAPS which seems to be the largest single issue.
That's what he says now, but my suspicion is that he is really a chamber type of guy, and that the chamber's agenda would be his also. Earlier he was clearly wanting to put the streetcar at the end of the MAPS list which, potentially, would make it expendable (just like the sports arena became in original MAPS ... put off to the end, it would not have been built but for the fact that the city voted to extend the tax to make that possible). My guess, and that's all it is, is that the chamber's highest priority is for the convention center to get done at the risk of anything else, which of course was the lowest in priority of polling done before the MAPS 3 vote. My perception is that Shadid feels more strongly that all projects should be done, and that the streetcar should proceed with dispatch so to keep open the possibility of receiving additional federal money associated with completion of the streetcar's Alternative Analysis. Jeff would be a better person to discuss this, though, than I am.


This isn't my ward but if I were unhappy with existing city government or at least the side that's been pushing the MAPS concept, then Shadid seems to me to be the clear choice. On the other hand if I were happy with what's been done then Swinton seems more plausible.
Yes, but subject to what I said above. Shadid says that not to complete all MAPS 3 projects, or to alter the existing council resolution, would be a breach of public trust. Swinton, in his interview, didn't even seem to understand that council had the capability of changing the projects which leads me to believe that he didn't understand the difference between the ballot and the concurrent council resolution. At least, that's how he sounded to me.


It has never made that much sense to me to be against someone because of support from an unrelated group but I certainly know that is an often used argument. Even if the group is nefarious which is not clear to me and even if those who support the group are equally sinister it doesn't follow that the candidate is evil.
If you are saying that the candidates shouldn't be measured by their supporters, I agree ... UNLESS a candidate is beholden to his supporters, and, as I've already said, I have concern that Swinton might have such an unspoken obligation.


Shadid reminds me of Walters who seemed to me to take contrary positions for the sake of being contrary.
As I've already said, I disagree with you on this one. To me, a comparison of Walters & Shadid is like comparing night and day, darkness and light, water and oil.

Best I can do.

Best I can do.
Pretty good as always. Thanks much.

I should also have added, this, flintysooner. Shadid probably does have more that he does not like than what he has said, else his interview remarks about not voting in city elections since 2004 because he felt disenfranchised would make no sense. But, about what particularly, I don't know.

I got this in an opposition letter that was forwarded on to me. It made me laugh so hard... I can't stop laughing. So scary... lol

"Now he (Shadid) wants to be your city councilman and is even advocating that your tax dollars be spent on 'green' areas to grow vegetable gardens."

What motive does the Chamber have for keeping its political contributions secret?

Am proud of you, at least you didn't get any factual information wrong (since you didn't include any).

RC, am sure they will be glad to hear they wasted their money in the campaign against him.

He voted the same way his constituents voted when it came to MAPS 3. He didn't lose by much at all just 447 votes.
Courtesy of Doug:

Nothing wrong re: facts or wrong info, other than the fact you can't read a budget!!

That's like saying "the bomb missed me by 10 feet".

Listening to the interviews and reading through both web sites and casually following the OKCTalk discussions it appears to me to be rather clear that Shadid would be, or aspire to be, the "independent" voice.

I take that to mean that he is not satisfied with the existing city council members and would attempt to influence some kind of different outcome. Although I honestly do not understand precisely source of his dissatisfaction or the differences in outcome he desires.

Swinton clearly would lend his voice to the side pusing the "status quo" at least as it pertains to MAPS which seems to be the largest single issue.

This isn't my ward but if I were unhappy with existing city government or at least the side that's been pushing the MAPS concept, then Shadid seems to me to be the clear choice. On the other hand if I were happy with what's been done then Swinton seems more plausible.

The best, easiest and number 1 way to decide who will will the runoff!!!, who's Public Safety backing.

Nothing wrong re: facts or wrong info, other than the fact you can't read a budget!!

That's like saying "the bomb missed me by 10 feet".

On edit, removed to comply with Doug's request that the thread stick to campaign issues only.

Here are 4 more flyers, 2 for each candidate. Click on any image for a 1024 px wide view.

Ed Shadid 1 - front
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1a.jpg)

Ed Shadid 1 - back (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1b.jpg)

Ed Shadid 2 - front (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2a.jpg)

Ed Shadid 2 - back (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2b.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 1 - front (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1a.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 1 - back (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1b.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 2 - front (by Momentum)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2a.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 2 - back (by Momentum)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2b.jpg)

Looking at the last pair, the phrase, "Good cop, bad cop," comes to mind.

Whoops. Now that I know that Shadid is a vegetarian and lives in a solar-powered house, I may need to reconsider my support of him. :doh:

This week's Oklahoma Gazette article: Runoff Rundown (http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-11108-runoff-rundown.html) ... it is pretty much a miniaturized version of the interviews by Gwin Faulconer-Lippert this past Sunday, previously posted in this thread.

You know, I was already strongly backing Shadid, so I may be biased, but his mailers have a lot more meat on the bone than Swinton's. His attack pieces are legitimate and speak to the concerns of voters. Swinton's are just silly -- and they may actually get more people to vote for Shadid. There goes the vegetarian vote!

Seriously, Shadid doesn't live in a solar-powered house; I know that for sure. He may be vegetarian but who cares?

I love how sinister Charlie Swinton looks in those ads. He looks like such a corrupt good ol' boy.

Here are 4 more flyers, 2 for each candidate. Click on any image for a 1024 px wide view.

Ed Shadid 1 - front
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1a.jpg)

Ed Shadid 1 - back (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer1b.jpg)

Ed Shadid 2 - front (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2a.jpg)

Ed Shadid 2 - back (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer2b.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 1 - front (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1a.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 1 - back (by candidate)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer1b.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 2 - front (by Momentum)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2a.jpg)

Charlie Swinton 2 - back (by Momentum)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer2b.jpg)

Looking at the last pair, the phrase, "Good cop, bad cop," comes to mind.

Whoops. Now that I know that Shadid is a vegetarian and lives in a solar-powered house, I may need to reconsider my support of him. :doh:

It doesn't seem like the Swinton campaign itself is sending out much mail at all. The Momentum people have a real sense of humor though!

Those Swinton ads are the most idiotic thing I have ever said. Shadid's ads bring up actual concerns about things Swinton has said. Has Shadid ever advocated for the evil "green agenda?"

Is that a proper response for someone who suggests that OKC could put more focus on neighborhoods and sustainability? Talk about a no-sum game. Schiza...

Here's the latest installment of the Daily Show ... click any card for a 1024 px wide view ...

Mailer by Shadid, Front
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer3as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer3a.jpg)

Mailer by Shadid, Back
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer3bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidflyer3b.jpg)

Mailer by Swinton, Front
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer3as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer3a.jpg)

Mailer by Swinton, Back
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer3bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer3b.jpg)

It would seem that Charlie Swinton is learning a few tricks form the Momentum Committee.

Those Swinton ads are the most idiotic thing I have ever said. Shadid's ads bring up actual concerns about things Swinton has said. Has Shadid ever advocated for the evil "green agenda?"

Is that a proper response for someone who suggests that OKC could put more focus on neighborhoods and sustainability? Talk about a no-sum game. Schiza...

He did try to get the Green Party's endorsement/"nomination" when he ran for the House last year. He brought in Ralph Nader and did a couple other things with the Green Party. I can't see the mailers right now, but is that what they're talking about? I don't know Ward 2 very well, but depending on the constituency, that could be a big negative. If his campaign and Momentum are sending such things out, I guarantee you they are doing it with specific poll numbers and targeted voters. Doesn't mean it won't backfire, though. Even if people agree with the sentiment, they don't like to be treated like idiots.

My little corner of Ward 2, if you believe the neighborhood chatter and the yard-sign count, is pretty solid for Shadid.

What neighborhood do you live in, windowphobe?

Shadid's mailers are getting better and better. He's running an outstanding campaign. It will be very interesting to see how this turns out. Big money, TV and robocalls against a solid, organized, message-disciplined grassroots effort.

To me, the choice for Shadid is obvious, but it will be interesting to see if the voters of Ward 2 are the idiots Swinton seems to believe they are.

I could see this being very close either way between Swinton and Shadid. I can also envision Shadid winning this in blowout fashion if the youth vote is optimized. Ward 2 is a very liberal district.

He did try to get the Green Party's endorsement/"nomination" when he ran for the House last year. He brought in Ralph Nader and did a couple other things with the Green Party. I can't see the mailers right now, but is that what they're talking about? I don't know Ward 2 very well, but depending on the constituency, that could be a big negative. If his campaign and Momentum are sending such things out, I guarantee you they are doing it with specific poll numbers and targeted voters. Doesn't mean it won't backfire, though. Even if people agree with the sentiment, they don't like to be treated like idiots.

They may be using some targeting, but they're sending this to people I know for whom legalized marijane, more transit, and solar-powered houses would be a reason to vote for Shadid. By the way, Shadid does not live in a solar-powered house, and I doubt he uses solar power when he's conducting surgeries.

My instinct is that Swinton's people are using a real ham-handed approach that's not likely to work. If they are targeting, they're doing so very poorly.

Shadid's mailers are getting better and better. He's running an outstanding campaign. It will be very interesting to see how this turns out. Big money, TV and robocalls against a solid, organized, message-disciplined grassroots effort.

To me, the choice for Shadid is obvious, but it will be interesting to see if the voters of Ward 2 are the idiots Swinton seems to believe they are.

I could see this being very close either way between Swinton and Shadid. I can also envision Shadid winning this in blowout fashion if the youth vote is optimized. Ward 2 is a very liberal district.

If it's true Ward 2 is very liberal, and the type of mailers going out from Swinton are truly what people here are characterizing them as (again, I can't see them myself right now), then Swinton should go down in flames.

I just find it difficult to believe that Swinton and Momentum are running polls and still sending something like those mailers out. Those polls cost quite a bit and generally are pretty darn accurate. So, either they're just incompetent, they've got bad polling, or people here are underestimating Swinton and his campaign. But, given the near consensus here, it doesn't sound like the latter.

Alternatively, this could all be the doing of a political consulting firm just looking to make quick, big buck. That is, they're just sending a ton of stuff out, polling in large numbers, etc. for the volume billing. Unfortunately, there are a few of those out there just like that.

@Doug: I live in Mayfair Heights, one of those consarned urban-conservation districts.

Both Swinton and Shadid have spoken at our neighborhood-association meetings.

... and more ... click on images for larger views ...

Ed Shadid's March 23 Oklahoma Gazette ad
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/shadidad_gazette_march23s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/shadidad_gazette_march23.jpg)

Momentum Mailer for Swinton - Birds of a Feather - front
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer4as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer4a.jpg)

Momentum Mailer for Swinton - Birds of a Feather - back
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer4bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer4b.jpg)

Momentum Mailer for Swinton - What Does It Mean To Wear Green - front
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer5as.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer5a.jpg)

Momentum Mailer for Swinton - What Does It Mean To Wear Green - back
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer5bs.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/swintonflyer5b.jpg)

The above is a large fold-out card.

Since when is the Sierra Club an "environmental extremist group?" They're as mainstream as it gets these days.

I'm voting for Shadid. However, there's no such thing in NW Oklahoma City as a "very liberal district." It may have more liberal voters than most districts in Oklahoma City, but "very liberal" is a stretch. Though, it DOES include 39th/Penn area.

In a city council race it comes down to organization. Period. When it comes to a city council runoff election - it comes down to micro-organization. Who's more organized? That's the question. Often, direct mail is a huge waste of money in an election where few people turn out to vote. It comes down on who has put together the troops for a GOTV operation and who can execute. In this case, it's a toss-up. However, the power of the organized police and firefighters probably puts Ed over the top - if they go vote! And I hope they do.

I'm hearing from people in the district that Shadid is marshaling an army of volunteers. I'm also hearing somewhat anecdotally from people I know who live in the district that they're getting lots of door-knocks from Shadid volunteers and that Swinton has absolutely no ground game.

I must say I hate the idea of Oklahoma City reducing it's military spending.

I must say I hate the idea of Oklahoma City reducing it's military spending.

And don't forget we're getting ready to legalize marijuana too. LOL

I must say I hate the idea of Oklahoma City reducing it's military spending.

Interesting point...don't know if it was made in jest or not (given the one right after it) but reducing OKC's military spending could have an impact on Tinker. Don't forget that OKC is giving Boeing an incentive package for bringing those military related jobs here.

I got a letter from the Swinton Campaign today thanking me for my vote in the first election. I did not vote for either of these guys. I think that one letter has convinced me to vote against him. What a jerk to assume I voted for him.

A major story appears in this morning's Oklahoman (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-council-ward-2-fundraising-documents-display-candidates-differences/article/3551958) written by Michael Baker. Here it is.




Oklahoma City Council Ward 2 fundraising documents display candidates' differences
City Council candidate Ed Shadid has decided he will not accept donations from special interest groups. His opponent Charlie Swinton, on the other hand, is proud to accept donations from a wide-ranging number of interests.

BY MICHAEL BAKER
Published: March 26, 2011

The fundraising documents filed Friday for the Oklahoma City Council Ward 2 runoff election next month highlight a big difference between the two remaining candidates.

After the March 1 primary, a field of six was whittled to two. An April 5 runoff between Charlie Swinton, a senior banking officer, and Ed Shadid, a doctor, will determine who will succeed Councilman Sam Bowman.

As of last Sunday, Swinton had collected more than $100,000 and Shadid had raised more than $75,000 in campaign donations.

Shadid has decided to mostly self-finance his campaign. While he has accepted endorsements from the local firefighters and police unions, he has not accepted donations from any political action committee or group. The bulk of his donations are checks he has written his own campaign.

“When a politician receives a large amount of money from a financial benefactor it introduces an element of bias, whether it's conscious or subconscious it makes it difficult for that politician to interpret the data effectively for the taxpayer,” Shadid said. “You don't have to give me money for me to hear your voice.”

Swinton, on the other hand, is proud of the wide-ranging support displayed in fundraising documents. Hundreds of individuals and several businesses, labor and other interest groups have given to his campaign.

“I wish I was a doctor and could write my own checks, but I'm not,” Swinton said. “We're very proud of the fact we have over 300 people that I do I think shows broad-based support throughout the community.”

How much money?

The campaign finance reports, filed with the Oklahoma City clerk's office, cover fundraising through Sunday.

Shadid has raised $78,725 and spent $66,541. Shadid is his own biggest contributor, writing checks to himself for $65,000.

Swinton has raised $104,356 and spent $63,808. At least $13,000 raised can attributed to PACs or other special interest groups.

Swinton's totals do not include money spent by the Committee for Oklahoma City Momentum, which is making independent expenditures in running its own campaign in support of the candidate.

So far, Oklahoma City Momentum has spent more than $400,000 running campaigns supporting Swinton and three other candidates, according to documents filed late Friday. (Emphasis supplied)

Where the money comes from

Swinton and Shadid defended their different fundraising philosophies.

Swinton's top contributors were the Chesapeake Oklahoma PAC and Aubrey McClendon, chief executive of Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp., each of which gave Swinton $5,000. Larry J. Nichols, executive chairman and chief executive of Devon Energy Corp., also gave $5,000.

Other PAC contributions to Swinton include $3,000 from the Oklahoma City Retired Firefighters, $2,000 from the Oklahoma Municipal Contractors Association PAC, $1,000 from the Southwest Laborers District Council PAC and $500 from the Cox Communications PAC.

“I think as people have heard where we stand on the issues, they're willing to step up,” Swinton said. “I don't have financial resources to fund the campaign myself, so I have to raise the money.”

While Shadid himself had supplied his campaign with nearly 83 percent of its money, four other donors, contributing a total of $2,750, also have the last name Shadid.

“I want to hear everybody's proposals,” he said. “Everybody will know I haven't taken any money from any of their competing interest either.”

I don't yet have copies of the actual reporting forms, but I'll get them and will post them here when I do.

In the earlier Form C-1, Swinton was not shown as contributing any money to his own campaign, while Shadid was substantially funding his own campaign by his own resources. Swinton is far from impoverished and one would think that he would be willing to put up just a little of his own money to finance the campaign for the office that he seeks.

ON EDIT: Supplemental information and Forms C-1 for Swinton and Shadid are reported in an associated on-line (only) article by Michael Baker at this address. (http://blog.newsok.com/politics/2011/03/25/oklahoma-city-ward-2-election-money/) He does not yet include reporting forms for the Momentum Committee though he says he'll have that there shortly.

Doug, thanks for the info and the links. Michael Baker has been doing some great reporting on the City Council elections.

Both Shadid and Swinton have knocked on my door, so evidently Swinton has some sort of ground game.

Why I'm for Shadid. Pure opinion. Read it if you want: http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2011/03/ward-2-why-im-for-shadid.html

Hey Doug, can you post that PROGRESS poster from your blog? Very cool!

Is this what you mean?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidposterdiamond.jpg

@Doug: I live in Mayfair Heights, one of those consarned urban-conservation districts.

Both Swinton and Shadid have spoken at our neighborhood-association meetings.
Thanks, windowphobe. What is your take on their presentations and how they were received?

Just because I've got a little of the devil in me, I put this collage together for my Shadid support article ... note the qualification in the lower right hand part of the center card ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/pickacard.jpg

The center card modified Swinton's original ... http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swintonflyer3b.jpg

I should have at least a couple of additional mailers up later today.

Swinton may be a nice guy, but the way he campaigns leads one to believe he's a total scumbag. And yes, that is the poster I was talking about!

Here are 3 Shadid mailers that I received yesterday. They have a common theme, I would say ... character. I don't know whether they've been mailed yet or are about to be. Click on a thumbnail for a larger view.

Common Ground

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_commonground1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_commonground1.jpg)http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_commonground2s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_commonground2.jpg)

Accountability


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_accountability1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_accountability1.jpg)http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_accountability2s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_accountability2.jpg)

Independence

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_independent1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_independent1.jpg)http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_independent2s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadid_independent2.jpg)

Heard from a Shadid campaign person the above mailers are not being sent out because they think there is voter fatigue and they do not want to add to it. Friends talking with friends who can vote will make the difference. Get motivated this final 8 days.

Just got this short form to fill out from the Shadid campaign, they said to email to friends and forums, please share, they need to ID voters and helpers this last week. I can fell the real momentum going for Shadid.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHh0WE4xbVRUZFJqVHZuWHJSUjl4VlE6M Q

I got a letter from the Swinton Campaign today thanking me for my vote in the first election. I did not vote for either of these guys. I think that one letter has convinced me to vote against him. What a jerk to assume I voted for him.

Think I got the same letter. But it was a generic "Dear Ward 2 Voter:". They are playing a numbers game, by sending out to registered voters (and possibly just those who voted, but not sure if that info is available to candidates). While Swinton did get more votes than any of the other candidates individually (but not enough to avoid the run off), it would seem on the surface that a voter most likely voted for him than not. If you voted for him then you have been thanked. If you didn't vote for him, the misplaced thanks probably isn't going to change your mind (to make you a supporter). In other words, they haven't lost anything by alienating you (you weren't a supporter anyway). More voters collectively didn't vote for him than did. But the question is, how many of those that voted for the non-run off candidates have thrown their support to Swinton? I haven't heard endorsements either way.

Just got this short form to fill out from the Shadid campaign, they said to email to friends and forums, please share, they need to ID voters and helpers this last week. I can fell the real momentum going for Shadid.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHh0WE4xbVRUZFJqVHZuWHJSUjl4VlE6M Q

So impressed with this campaign. Best I've seen on the local level in years. His mail pieces have been pitch perfect. Swinton's have been a disaster. If he can somehow get more young people to vote this thing is over.

Andrew Rice just endorsed Shadid.

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/profile.php?id=578371726

Think I got the same letter. But it was a generic "Dear Ward 2 Voter:". They are playing a numbers game, by sending out to registered voters (and possibly just those who voted, but not sure if that info is available to candidates). While Swinton did get more votes than any of the other candidates individually (but not enough to avoid the run off), it would seem on the surface that a voter most likely voted for him than not. If you voted for him then you have been thanked. If you didn't vote for him, the misplaced thanks probably isn't going to change your mind (to make you a supporter). In other words, they haven't lost anything by alienating you (you weren't a supporter anyway). More voters collectively didn't vote for him than did. But the question is, how many of those that voted for the non-run off candidates have thrown their support to Swinton? I haven't heard endorsements either way.

They are most likely sending to voters who have voted in either 3 of the last 4 municipal elections or 4 of the last 4. That information is available to anyone who wants it from the election board. If they send their mail to anyone else, it's simply a waste. 98% of those who didn't take time to vote in at least 3 of the last 4 races will not vote in this election, especially given it's a runoff.

So, Swinton and Shadid, if they are running competent campaigns, are targeting only those people. At this point, it simply becomes a voter-contact game, followed by GOTV on Monday and Tuesday. No mail piece, unless it is a "nuke," will alter this election from here on.

Did they deign this with the express intent of being hard to read?


Is this what you mean?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidposterdiamond.jpg

As to the diamond, I think that it's very cool.

I've been updating my blog posts with regard to this election and have (among other things) come up with the following summary of contributions/expenditures:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/ward2summary.jpg

Here is Momentum's spartan 3/25 C-1 filing showing contributions/expenditures between 2/16 and 3/20/2011:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/momentum_form_c1.jpg

Did they deign this with the express intent of being hard to read?

Sometimes, good design is an element that requires interpretation, particularly if it's a stand alone poster that apparently this design is used for.

I personally really like the "WPA" aesthetic.

I think the PROGRESS poster was designed to appeal to the young, "hipster" demo that votes when it's hip to do so, which is to say, somewhat sporadically. Shadid is a pretty cool guy, though, and this will definitely appeal to that crowd. His standard mailers have been much more conventional -- but very appealing aesthetically.

Nonetheless, the "diamond" poster has gone viral on Facebook, so it seems to be having the desired effect...

Andrew Rice just endorsed Shadid.

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/profile.php?id=578371726

That should have a huge impact in Ward 2, particularly if he does any campaigning for him. It would be nice if Jim Roth and McAffrey would, too. I'm sure they're embarrassed at this point to be associated with that clown.

Shoot, Rice's endorsement may have just changed my mind against Shadid.

That should have a huge impact in Ward 2, particularly if he does any campaigning for him. It would be nice if Jim Roth and McAffrey would, too. I'm sure they're embarrassed at this point to be associated with that clown.
Swinton's Form C-1 shows that McAffrey donated $1,000 to Swinton's campaign. That surprised me, given an anti-gay mailer that Momentum did, as well as it's push pull survey. While he may regret his contribution, I doubt that he will say that he's changed his mind.

Here are the candidate's ads in the March 29 Gazette ... click on ads for larger views.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidad_gazette_march29s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/shadidad_gazette_march29.jpg)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swinton_gazette_march29s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/CityCouncilElections/swinton_gazette_march29.jpg)

Where is Charlie's goals? What does he want to do and how is he going to do it?

Where is Charlie's goals?

Freedom, jobs, public safety, keeping messicans out, jobs, 9-11.

Money wins

Candidates raising the most money either won the Oklahoma City Council primary or made the runoff.

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-11205-money-wins.html