OKC Mayor Race 2014

[zookeeper]

Sorry if this has been mentioned before. I saw Mick's campaign office in Mayfair Shopping Center today and am curious if that's just a neighborhood office or that is his main campaign headquarters. It looks very nice!

[bradh]

North HQ

[zookeeper]

North HQ

How many does he have? This is a good sign of a serious ground game. Some on the council have been surprised with defeats and then, too late, recognize the opposition had a ground game to go with the mailers. It's amazing how many think they can win just by mailing colorful brochures. Go Mick!

Edit: He has two. Found it here - http://mickcornett2014.com/contact/

[RickOKC]

Great post. But the the situation you describe doesn't just end with Mick being reelected.

I think I know what your answer will be, but... How does it end?

[ljbab728]

I'm thinking that if Ed truly wants to be a mayor he needs to move to Toronto. Even Ed might stand a good chance there against the current mayor. LOL

TIMELINE: Key events in Rob Ford?s tenure as Toronto politician | CityNews

[LuccaBrasi]

I have not been visiting this thread too often in the best interest of my blood pressure. That being the case, does anyone have some quick, and fairly simple factual bullet points of info that explicitly counter why Ed should NOT be Mayor? I inherently know why as do many of you on these boards, but I'm looking for simplistic factual info, not emotional, to use as ammunition against some of my neighbors who have guzzled the Ed Kool-Aid and are not near as savvy about local development and all things pro OKC.

The reason I ask is my neighbor invited me to an upcoming meeting where they have Ed coming to their house to speak about his campaign. My reply was absolutely no way would I attend and support. I asked if they were familiar any of the stunts he's pulled, such as infringing on Councilman Pettis by going into Ward 7 to drum up racial tension on the transit vote. Obviously my neighbor had no idea. I could argue with them all day, but then again, I'm not sure I have good factual data to expose some of his stunts.

Think of it like a 2 minute elevator speech to negate him as an option.

Thanks in advance for some good info.

[LuccaBrasi]

In addition to the above, I was recently at an event and spoke to several high ranking officials and citizens, many of which who are close to the Mayor's campaign. From what I was told, there is growing concern in the upcoming election. My question to them was "What do you think the chances are that the Mayor could lose"? The common reply was it's very real.

The main reason was simple......voter turnout. Many think OKC as a city, and the Mayor, are doing so well that many supporters will not go vote because they think "it's in the bag". Therefore, the call from high was it's imperative that anyone who wants to continue the momentum we enjoy today, needs to educate their families, friends, co-workers, etc, to get out and vote on March 4th. I was told if that happens, the Mayor should win decisively. As an example, there were several comments from some very connected people, that many in their network of influence, those who are not generally involved in city politics or development, had not planned to vote because the Mayor won so easily the last time. Those typical supports figure it's a slam dunk. Therefore, the discussion was centered on the importance of each and every one of us educating our sphere of influence, amongst OKC residents, to get out to vote so we are not faced with the alternative.

There were also several who noted that Ed has been quietly and successfully playing to both the far left, and the far right. One well connected man I know said Ed had managed to convince several highly conservative friends of his, that they should vote for him. I only articulate that because from the casual observer, one would not think of Ed appealing to a conservative crowd. A couple of people telling me this info said that Ed was very dangerous in how he manages to win supporters at the grass roots level, and at a level with those who will get out and vote to change the direction of this city.

To quote one elected official who commented to me, "If the opposition wins, it will be a disaster". I won't mention the name, but the comment shocked me almost beyond belief. That being said, they did articulate that it's still a 5-4 vote on the horseshoe, but at the end of the day, the reputation and accolades that OKC has been receiving, many of which are attributed to the Mayor, would all instantly dissolve, as well as the momentum of becoming a progressive city.

[warreng88]

I have not been visiting this thread too often in the best interest of my blood pressure. That being the case, does anyone have some quick, and fairly simple factual bullet points of info that explicitly counter why Ed should NOT be Mayor? I inherently know why as do many of you on these boards, but I'm looking for simplistic factual info, not emotional, to use as ammunition against some of my neighbors who have guzzled the Ed Kool-Aid and are not near as savvy about local development and all things pro OKC.

1) His stance on the MAPS projects and his flip-flopping from his campaign in 2011 until now. Here is a link to Steve Lackmeyer's article on him a few months ago:

Flashback: Ed Shadid on MAPS 3, Streetcars | News OK

Specifically look at the "Let's be clear - there are real differences" between he and Charlie Swinton which is the second picture and his MAPS stance.

2) His blatant lies about the MAPS projects and his attacking Mayor Mick for things he has down which are simply not true (i.e. not going to Police/Fire functions)

3) He is a know-it-all. He talks about going to two, three, four day conferences in other cities and learning about what they have done in relation to the streetcar or other projects MAPS is looking at and all of a sudden, he is an expert. He has no respect for the people who have done consulting work about these exact projects for 20-30 years or for the subcommittees who were chosen for their expertise in the fields.

I like the idea of asking questions and getting the thought process going which is what made me like Ed as a Councilman a few years ago, but he would tear the city apart as Mayor.

[soonerguru]

In addition to the above, I was recently at an event and spoke to several high ranking officials and citizens, many of which who are close to the Mayor's campaign. From what I was told, there is growing concern in the upcoming election. My question to them was "What do you think the chances are that the Mayor could lose"? The common reply was it's very real.

The main reason was simple......voter turnout. Many think OKC as a city, and the Mayor, are doing so well that many supporters will not go vote because they think "it's in the bag". Therefore, the call from high was it's imperative that anyone who wants to continue the momentum we enjoy today, needs to educate their families, friends, co-workers, etc, to get out and vote on March 4th. I was told if that happens, the Mayor should win decisively. As an example, there were several comments from some very connected people, that many in their network of influence, those who are not generally involved in city politics or development, had not planned to vote because the Mayor won so easily the last time. Those typical supports figure it's a slam dunk. Therefore, the discussion was centered on the importance of each and every one of us educating our sphere of influence, amongst OKC residents, to get out to vote so we are not faced with the alternative.

There were also several who noted that Ed has been quietly and successfully playing to both the far left, and the far right. One well connected man I know said Ed had managed to convince several highly conservative friends of his, that they should vote for him. I only articulate that because from the casual observer, one would not think of Ed appealing to a conservative crowd. A couple of people telling me this info said that Ed was very dangerous in how he manages to win supporters at the grass roots level, and at a level with those who will get out and vote to change the direction of this city.

To quote one elected official who commented to me, "If the opposition wins, it will be a disaster". I won't mention the name, but the comment shocked me almost beyond belief. That being said, they did articulate that it's still a 5-4 vote on the horseshoe, but at the end of the day, the reputation and accolades that OKC has been receiving, many of which are attributed to the Mayor, would all instantly dissolve, as well as the momentum of becoming a progressive city.

How will the far right feel about his Green Party / Ralph Nader background?

[Bellaboo]

I think organizing groups and people to come protest the streetcar was insane. And some of these were from the suburbs. He probably denies it, but this was not a coincidence.

[OSUFan]

It is very simple: vote. If people get out and vote Mayor Cornett will win and easily. If they don't anything can happen.

[warreng88]

I drove down Hudson last night and saw Ed on his cell phone making calls with no one else in the building. The guy is working really hard to become mayor and I am terrified it might happen.

[LuccaBrasi]

It is very simple: vote. If people get out and vote Mayor Cornett will win and easily. If they don't anything can happen.

That is the key, getting people out to vote.

I know it is hard to defeat an incumbent, especially a popular one, and especially in a city with so many positive things taking place, not to mention those that could soon be announced. That being said, it amazes me that ES has been able to create the momentum as he has, or at least "appears" to have. I was not worried about him winning, or even being close, until I was in some of the conversations last week, which I already mentioned.

I was recently told that a prominent group of the Lebanese business community was planning to organize a fund raiser for Cornett. I asked a Lebanese acquaintance about it who told me that ES does not have much support within the Lebanese community, and quite frankly, their exact words were he was disliked. His take on it was ES did not stand a chance. Even so, my reply to him was he still needed to get out and vote.

[soonerguru]

That is the key, getting people out to vote.

I know it is hard to defeat an incumbent, especially a popular one, and especially in a city with so many positive things taking place, not to mention those that could soon be announced. That being said, it amazes me that ES has been able to create the momentum as he has, or at least "appears" to have. I was not worried about him winning, or even being close, until I was in some of the conversations last week, which I already mentioned.

I was recently told that a prominent group of the Lebanese business community was planning to organize a fund raiser for Cornett. I asked a Lebanese acquaintance about it who told me that ES does not have much support within the Lebanese community, and quite frankly, their exact words were he was disliked. His take on it was ES did not stand a chance. Even so, my reply to him was he still needed to get out and vote.

He's not even supported by members of his own family. I know. They've told me.

[PhiAlpha]

Anyone going to knock on doors for Mick on Saturday?

[kevinpate]

He's not even supported by members of his own family. I know. They've told me.

Based on knowing a bunch of different candidates and their families over the past several decades, that doesn't surprise me at all. Wouldn't surprise me if it were true for the current mayor either. Sometimes it's character based. Sometimes it's because kin don't want the bright lights and glass house exposure that will become theirs by default.

Unless they are out there and publicly and actively working against a relative, family aginners are an insignificant variable.

[betts]

Anyone going to knock on doors for Mick on Saturday?

I am, in the afternoon.

[betts]

Vote and get the vote out. I talk to everyone I know about the mayoral election and stress the importance of voting. I plan to contact everyone I can the day before the election to get them to vote.

[krisb]

What does vulnerability have to do with anything? That's not a strength. Honesty is a strength. Integrity is a strength.

Have a look. Shadid supporters seem to understand that this election is more about human values than politics as usual.

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown...erability.html

[krisb]

I love politics and hate them at the same time. It is really interesting, though, to see people attack other people they don't even know, because of who they support for mayor. Also, why is this thread not in the politics section?

You're a breath of fresh air, my friend. I can't stomach these "discussions" for very long which is why I've stepped back a bit.

[Urban Pioneer]

Have a look. Shadid supporters seem to understand that this election is more about human values than politics as usual.[/video]

How can you support someone who "uses" people to get elected and think that Ed brings "human values" to equation?

Many of his original chief supporters left after the Ward 2 election. I'm shocked that doesn't resonate with you that something may be literally wrong with the man. We are good people. We care about this community. What we discovered is that Ed is a party of one.

I suspect in due time you will too.

[Midtowner]

I'm not in Ward 2, but was excited to see Shadid beat Swinton. I very much did not appreciate the fact that the establishment felt it was entitled to own Ward 2 and that it would certainly own Swinton. I was so glad to have someone on the council who wasn't afraid to walk in lock-step with everyone else.

Now that Shadid is on the council though, he has latched on to groups who if he had been anything close to associated with, he'd have lost Ward 2 in a landslide. His tactics since then and the fact that he's challenging a VERY popular and very effective mayor is just puzzling--and then people actually support the guy. I can't understand it. I can understand the "not this MAPS" folks because those idiots are just looking to find anyone to attack this city's momentum to favor their own agendas (more money for police/fire and then the weirdo Tea Party element which would and will turn on those police/fire folks the second they can).

Someone explain how any of what Shadid is saying makes any sense. I just don't get it.

[BrettM2]

Have a look. Shadid supporters seem to understand that this election is more about human values than politics as usual.

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown...erability.html

What does that video have to do with the OKCU mayoral race? What evidence do you have that Cornett lacks human empathy or emotion? Is that something that Shadid has monopolized?

Here is what concerns me: who will continue OKC's success? I have no doubt Cornett will, as he has for several years now. What I've seen of Shadid though... It doesn't speak to progress. He's flat-out lied about his position, invaded other wards (and cities) for support on issues, and continues to show no inclination (or ability?) to solve problems rather than cause them.

[Laramie]

I have not been visiting this thread too often in the best interest of my blood pressure. That being the case, does anyone have some quick, and fairly simple factual bullet points of info that explicitly counter why Ed should NOT be Mayor? I inherently know why as do many of you on these boards, but I'm looking for simplistic factual info, not emotional, to use as ammunition against some of my neighbors who have guzzled the Ed Kool-Aid and are not near as savvy about local development and all things pro OKC.

The reason I ask is my neighbor invited me to an upcoming meeting where they have Ed coming to their house to speak about his campaign. My reply was absolutely no way would I attend and support. I asked if they were familiar any of the stunts he's pulled, such as infringing on Councilman Pettis by going into Ward 7 to drum up racial tension on the transit vote. Obviously my neighbor had no idea. I could argue with them all day, but then again, I'm not sure I have good factual data to expose some of his stunts.

Think of it like a 2 minute elevator speech to negate him as an option.

Thanks in advance for some good info.

Strong supporters of Dr. Ed Shadid are going to ignore any factual information you supply them about him. You mentioned that they invited you over to attend an upcoming meeting with Ed as the speaker? You absolutely refused their invitation. Do you honestly think that they are going to be swayed by facts and figures you supply them about Dr. Shadid?

Keep the good relationship you have with your neighbor, just avoid conversational topics about relationships, religions & politics.

Mick Cornett will repeat as mayor of Oklahoma City...

[betts]

Have a look. Shadid supporters seem to understand that this election is more about human values than politics as usual.

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown...erability.html

I don't consider lying a worthy human value. Nor do I consider ignoring the wishes of your constituents in favor of your own agenda an admirable or human value. I don't think sneaking around a peers' back and trying to subvert his constituency a human value. I don't consider forcing another councilwoman to recuse herself when your rationale for doing so is purely political admirable. I don't consider generating the cult of the personality an admirable human value. And frankly "politics as usual" has created a total turnaround in local and national attitude towards Oklahoma City. That's what has generated the almost astounding Renaissance in Oklahoma City. Ed has done nothing I can admire. Even his involvement with the boulevard involved him taking credit for a movement started by others.

He hasn't sold all that he has and given it to the poor. So I'm waiting to see real evidence of those human values. All I've seen are campaign promises and we already know how much we can trust those.