OKC Mayor Race 2014

[Urban Pioneer]

Meh, I wasn't talking about Ed. He obviously marches to the beat of a different drummer, and is apparently set on maintaining his efforts. Whatever. Doesn't look like he will have much steam. I was talking about the CITIZENRY of OKC, and about the posters on this board. Time to move on, at least as far as this particular election (and this thread) is concerned. If you want to debate the merits of the various subjects that Ed and others will be championing, there are (and will be) threads for that. This one should be tied up and left to rot in the sun.

And nobody has to tell me how divisive this campaign was. I was reading this thread and biting my tongue throughout the entire sordid affair. I know (very well in some cases) people who were directly involved and whose names and reputations were dragged through the mud. I also know well how particularly difficult and abrasive this episode has been for you Jeff, so I will give you a pass on the rainbows and unicorns remark obviously directed at the spirit of my previous post, which nevertheless I do take as a bit insulting. You know that I know better than rainbows and unicorns. You too guru.

Don't be insulted. I needed some context and you clarified what you meant. I totally agree and appreciate your sentiments. It is time for some healing, regrouping, and for this city to move into it's next phase of greatness.

Let's do it.

[mkjeeves]

Question?

Does the council have to approve a recall election for a vote on the MAPS III convention center if the petition for recall is validated or is this a done deal that the convention center will move forward with future tax collections?

I asked someone who is supposed to know this stuff and got an answer that makes sense to me but, of course, could be wrong.

If it gets validated it will be voted on. The council doesn't get to decide if the measure gets voted on or not. The council does get to decide when the voting will happen. Person did not think they had an unlimited time to put it off but did not know the time limits.

That means the council can play games with the voter base and try to stack it with other measures that may influence who will show up to vote. Or not.

[Urban Pioneer]

I have been told they will probably go for March 2015 if the petition is legitimate.

[CaptDave]

Ah - the next "conspiracy" is taking shape.......

Nothing can stop construction of the MAPS Virtucon CC!!

[mkjeeves]

That was from a political science PhD candidate, whose job it is to know how the mechanics work and what games can get played along the way. There may not be any other measures that would have any influence on turnout in OKC like there might be in other elections or other cities. Plus, no one in OKC politics would ever consider such a thing, right?

[soonerguru]

What did Ed say in his concession speech? Anyone see it?

[CaptDave]

Haven't found a video of it in its entirety, but the always reliable RDR has the "real" story!!

Losing to Cornett, Shadid says he will continue to fight for transparency and diversity is this 'Big League City' | Red Dirt Report

And for a little more fun.....what would we do without the RDR?

Despite loss, Shadid's star is on the rise | Red Dirt Report

I guess I am a "shady operative"! Who knew? Hard to be shady waving a sign like a crazy person at a busy intersection when it is below 20F!

Yeah I know giving the RDR clicks is kind of silly, and only encourages them, but I had to look!

[Laramie]

What did Ed say in his concession speech? Anyone see it?

Yes! You could sense his disappointment. He harped on the fact that Mick Cornett wouldn't debate him--it was his opinion that he would have exposed the mayor.

Dr. Shadid concedes: OKC Mayor Mick Cornett Wins Re-Election - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

IMHO, Dr. Ed Shadid had nothing to lose with a debate. Mayor Cornett had more at stake and more to lose with a debate that could have cast more questions and suspicions than a debate time would have allowed him to answer.

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Tier2City]

What's the story here?

And highlighting the obvious control the ruling oligarchy in Oklahoma has on the media. Shadid singled out former Oklahoma Gazette political reporter Tim Farley (now writing for Red Dirt Report), to highlight the unprecedented levels of suppression that the Oklahoma City media has endured under Cornett's autocratic rule.

“Tim lost his job on Friday at the Gazette because, he was told, the questions he asked the candidates were inappropriate even though he had received approval from his editors," Shadid told the stunned audience.

Sitting in the audience was the Gazette’s chief editor, Jennifer Chancellor, who interrupted Shadid and stated that what Shadid was saying was not true but added that she could say no more.

[soonerguru]

Haven't found a video of it in its entirety, but the always reliable RDR has the "real" story!!

Losing to Cornett, Shadid says he will continue to fight for transparency and diversity is this 'Big League City' | Red Dirt Report

And for a little more fun.....what would we do without the RDR?

Despite loss, Shadid's star is on the rise | Red Dirt Report

I guess I am a "shady operative"! Who knew? Hard to be shady waving a sign like a crazy person at a busy intersection when it is below 20F!

Yeah I know giving the RDR clicks is kind of silly, and only encourages them, but I had to look!

Wow. I think the marginalization of the Red Dirt Report is next.

[Tier2City]

Simply outstanding.

Despite loss, Shadid's star is on the rise

Andrew W. Griffin | March 5, 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY – It may take weeks or even months to fully assess, in the post-mortem, what ultimately happened Tuesday night when incumbent Mayor Mick Cornett was swept back into office with 66-percent of the vote, against the 33-percent that Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid received.

Stats. Data. Numbers. Polls. In the end, it’s the people and the turnout that mattered. And really, it was the people. Clearly, Team Mick and their shady operatives outspent and overwhelmed the Shadista political insurgency – a people-centric movement that offered an alternative to the secretive, exclusive, moneyed, Coolidge-style, business-as-usual approach that was couched with heavy dollops of exasperating artificiality and vomit-inducing insincerity.

And that was only part of what we witnessed. More on that at another time …

Over these past few months of covering the Shadid campaign, I came to know a man who, as he put it last night, was “stripped naked in the front of the city.” Shadid never shied away from questions and he had many.

But Team Mick made sure their corporate wind-up toy avoided any and all discussion of serious matters. And this, with the yellow-bellied Mick Chickens constantly on his tail, asking that question for the ages: “Why won’t Mick debate?”

Shadid, fortunately, goes back to doing what he has been doing all along – serving Ward 2 and the citizens of Oklahoma City. Cornett, while re-elected as mayor, will have a decidedly diminished influence on the council. Sure, most of the council rubber stamps whatever Cornett says or wants, but what Cornett says or wants will now have a far more hollow ring and more people will be watching what he says and does. Every calculated move recorded and reported.

Let’s face it. Cornett is so 2004. Shadid is so 2014 and beyond. The future, man! Corporate lackey Cornett co-opts real ideas, as Shadid noted in his concession speech. Shadid, with added gravitas, pushes for fresh ideas and alternative ways of doing things. Shadid is proactive. Cornett is a reactionary. Shadid will answer any and all questions. Cornett literally runs away from anything harder than the usual softballs lobbed at him from the neutered press (and the ham-fisted, court-jester bloggers) around here.

Shadid is undeniably a rising star. Cornett’s chances to go beyond local politics are rapidly passing him by. He's like a professional athlete whose best days are behind him and he's worn out his welcome in Mudville. I suspect he is now kicking himself in the pants for listening to his Atwater-ish handlers and going through with this truthfully painful campaign where nearly every public appearance featured him grinding his toothpaste-commercial choppers and desperately clasping his sweaty, claw-like hands, while oddly reminding one of a cross between Spock and the Joker.

Sure, Mick Cornett did all right in the 5th Congressional District primary a few years back against his ideological clone Mary Fallin. So, why didn’t he jump in again this time? Perhaps because the pressure to answer real questions would have been far greater than it clearly was in this municipal election where journos lose their jobs for asking tough questions and upsetting the perfumed elites. I sense, after all of this, that Tricky Mick has hit the proverbial political ceiling and that after this Groundhog-Day-esque mayoral gig wraps up, he will go no further in pursuit of higher office.

The Jefferson Smith-esque Ed Shadid, however, will likely pursue higher office in the not-too-distant future. The governor’s office? Congress? Or perhaps a transition into national public service where he becomes a diplomat? For this bright, optimistic and idealistic fortysomething, the sky is the limit. As we have said before, Ed Shadid is where the country (and hopefully Oklahoma) will be in a decade’s time.

And in the meantime, you can count on Ed Shadid and his growing Shadista army to move Oklahoma City towards a more inclusive and brighter day. Viva Oklahoma City!

[Tier2City]

The Jefferson Smith-esque Ed Shadid, however, will likely pursue higher office in the not-too-distant future. The governor’s office? Congress? Or perhaps a transition into national public service where he becomes a diplomat? For this bright, optimistic and idealistic fortysomething, the sky is the limit.

You heard it here first - President Ed Shadid!

[soonerguru]

What's the story here?

And highlighting the obvious control the ruling oligarchy in Oklahoma has on the media. Shadid singled out former Oklahoma Gazette political reporter Tim Farley (now writing for Red Dirt Report), to highlight the unprecedented levels of suppression that the Oklahoma City media has endured under Cornett's autocratic rule.

“Tim lost his job on Friday at the Gazette because, he was told, the questions he asked the candidates were inappropriate even though he had received approval from his editors," Shadid told the stunned audience.

Sitting in the audience was the Gazette’s chief editor, Jennifer Chancellor, who interrupted Shadid and stated that what Shadid was saying was not true but added that she could say no more.

I've been told for a long time that Farley was / is in the tank for Shadid, and it's my understanding his "questions" were quite loaded.

[CaptDave]

That is typical of the entire DRED campaign, yet some act surprised when the Mayor's supporters return fire. It's their problem the return fire was precise when all they could do is "spray and pray" at Hudson & 7th. But no need to bother with them at all now - the only response ever needed is 66-33.

[soonerguru]

Anyone think Edgar writes for the Red Dirt Report?

[soonerguru]

That is typical of the entire DRED campaign, yet some act surprised when the Mayor's supporters return fire. Not our problem we could be very precise when all they could do is "spray and pray". But no need to bother with them at all now - the only response ever needed is 66-32.

Oh, but Shadid is a shooting star in politics! No, he didn't get as many votes as Steve Hunt despite spending nearly $1 million, but he is ascending!

[CaptDave]

Best quote from the news coverage - Cornett when asked if he had a message for the Shadid camp had none but said, "the voters sent them a message"

[CaptDave]

Oh, but Shadid is a shooting star in politics! No, he didn't get as many votes as Steve Hunt despite spending nearly $1 million, but he is ascending!

Fortunately he reached apogee at 33%......

[betts]

OMG. That is absolutely hysterical. Hysterically badly written. Oh well. I'm sure he's not being paid for that.

[betts]

I'm thinking high office is a good idea, so high he's out of state. I wouldn't wish him on San Francisco but he seriously would have a far better chance there than here.

[CaptDave]

I will say a race for the CD5 seat between Shadid, Lankford/TW, and the (D) nominee would be quite a show! Someone should suggest it! I'll pop the popcorn.

Sorry for contributing to this veering away from the topic of the day......Cornett wins.

[gopokes88]

Simply outstanding.

Despite loss, Shadid's star is on the rise

Andrew W. Griffin | March 5, 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY – It may take weeks or even months to fully assess, in the post-mortem, what ultimately happened Tuesday night when incumbent Mayor Mick Cornett was swept back into office with 66-percent of the vote, against the 33-percent that Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid received.

Stats. Data. Numbers. Polls. In the end, it’s the people and the turnout that mattered. And really, it was the people. Clearly, Team Mick and their shady operatives outspent and overwhelmed the Shadista political insurgency – a people-centric movement that offered an alternative to the secretive, exclusive, moneyed, Coolidge-style, business-as-usual approach that was couched with heavy dollops of exasperating artificiality and vomit-inducing insincerity.

And that was only part of what we witnessed. More on that at another time …

Over these past few months of covering the Shadid campaign, I came to know a man who, as he put it last night, was “stripped naked in the front of the city.” Shadid never shied away from questions and he had many.

But Team Mick made sure their corporate wind-up toy avoided any and all discussion of serious matters. And this, with the yellow-bellied Mick Chickens constantly on his tail, asking that question for the ages: “Why won’t Mick debate?”

Shadid, fortunately, goes back to doing what he has been doing all along – serving Ward 2 and the citizens of Oklahoma City. Cornett, while re-elected as mayor, will have a decidedly diminished influence on the council. Sure, most of the council rubber stamps whatever Cornett says or wants, but what Cornett says or wants will now have a far more hollow ring and more people will be watching what he says and does. Every calculated move recorded and reported.

Let’s face it. Cornett is so 2004. Shadid is so 2014 and beyond. The future, man! Corporate lackey Cornett co-opts real ideas, as Shadid noted in his concession speech. Shadid, with added gravitas, pushes for fresh ideas and alternative ways of doing things. Shadid is proactive. Cornett is a reactionary. Shadid will answer any and all questions. Cornett literally runs away from anything harder than the usual softballs lobbed at him from the neutered press (and the ham-fisted, court-jester bloggers) around here.

Shadid is undeniably a rising star. Cornett’s chances to go beyond local politics are rapidly passing him by. He's like a professional athlete whose best days are behind him and he's worn out his welcome in Mudville. I suspect he is now kicking himself in the pants for listening to his Atwater-ish handlers and going through with this truthfully painful campaign where nearly every public appearance featured him grinding his toothpaste-commercial choppers and desperately clasping his sweaty, claw-like hands, while oddly reminding one of a cross between Spock and the Joker.

Sure, Mick Cornett did all right in the 5th Congressional District primary a few years back against his ideological clone Mary Fallin. So, why didn’t he jump in again this time? Perhaps because the pressure to answer real questions would have been far greater than it clearly was in this municipal election where journos lose their jobs for asking tough questions and upsetting the perfumed elites. I sense, after all of this, that Tricky Mick has hit the proverbial political ceiling and that after this Groundhog-Day-esque mayoral gig wraps up, he will go no further in pursuit of higher office.

The Jefferson Smith-esque Ed Shadid, however, will likely pursue higher office in the not-too-distant future. The governor’s office? Congress? Or perhaps a transition into national public service where he becomes a diplomat? For this bright, optimistic and idealistic fortysomething, the sky is the limit. As we have said before, Ed Shadid is where the country (and hopefully Oklahoma) will be in a decade’s time.

And in the meantime, you can count on Ed Shadid and his growing Shadista army to move Oklahoma City towards a more inclusive and brighter day. Viva Oklahoma City!

Was stolen from Fox News or were they being serious?

[jerrywall]

It sort of reminds me of this...

We Are The Victors | Robot Chicken | Adult Swim - YouTube

[LakeEffect]

Wow. I think the marginalization of the Red Dirt Report is next.

To marginalize it means it was respected and considered worthy in the first place...

[soonerguru]

LOLing right now about DRED calling out the Oklahoma Gazette from the podium of his concession speech -- and arguing with the paper's editor, who happened to be in the audience.

I'm sure that's going to really help him with coverage going forward.

Seriously, though, have you ever heard of such a thing?