OKC Mayor Race 2014

[JPDrake]

Understand the importance of being afforded a 'say' in how we run our government.

Exercise your right to vote and use it. It's your right to vote; those who don't go to the polls, don't complain...

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

George Carlin once said that those who DO vote have no right to complain.

"On Election Day, I stay home. I firmly believe that if you vote, you have no right to complain. Now, some people like to twist that around. They say, 'If you don't vote, you have no right to complain,' but where's the logic in that? If you vote, and you elect dishonest, incompetent politicians, and they get into office and screw everything up, you are responsible for what they have done. You voted them in. You caused the problem. You have no right to complain. I, on the other hand, who did not vote -- who did not even leave the house on Election Day -- am in no way responsible for that these politicians have done and have every right to complain about the mess that you created."

Personally, I intend to vote in every election and thoroughly research my choice before casting a ballot. But so long as we live in a political system in which 50.000001% of the vote gets you 100% of the representation, everyone who was part of the 49.999999% minority or who didn't vote has every right to complain. I'm a progressive, but the Democrats do not represent me and neither do the Republicans. Everyone else in my immediate family is a registered Democrat, but I've opted to sacrifice my ability to vote in the primaries to maintain my principles. So, if the Democrats go and nominate some fool like Anthony Weiner for an office, and the Republicans throw in Michelle Bachmann, even though I didn't vote, I have the right to lament the fact that my choice is between Idiot A and Idiot B.

[LuccaBrasi]

THIS is the calibre of leader Oklahoma City needs to move even farther ahead the next four years.

We had two guests in from out of town who attended yesterday luncheon, both from two cities larger than OKC, and both were blown away impressed with the Mayor, and OKC in general, on all fronts. One of the guests had done his own light reading and investigation into our recent local politics and he could not believe "that other guy" would even stand a chance here. He asked why was this "other guy" being so divisive at a time when OKC has so such momentum and positive accolades. I thought it was interesting to hear the first impressions of a couple of out of town visitors.

[LuccaBrasi]

I forgot to mention, both guests also commented that our convention center space was kind of a joke. They chuckled as we were making our way through the parking garage and through the Cox space. They said "you guys" really do need a new CC. If not for one being on the drawing board, it would have been pretty embarrassing.

[Edgar]

That speech should be required viewing for anyone who is going to vote in the upcoming election and I would be happy to let Ed put any speech of his choosing next to it for comparison.

Sort of like a debate?

[SoonerDave]

Sort of like a debate?

Would there be a semifinal to determine Mick's opponent featuring Ed debating himself over his own contradictions?

[Plutonic Panda]

Sort of like a debate?

There is really no debate. Ed is a cocaine snorting, porn-watching, wife beating.... yeah I should stop

Mick on the other hand, has brought this city into the eyes of the global population. We have a real shot at truly booming and becoming the next great major city in the midwest thanks to him and the momentum keeps rolling.

[BrettM2]

Sort of like a debate?

Edgar, what would you like to see in a debate? You are either ignoring or ignorant of OKC's mayoral system. After everyone has explained it to you numerous times, you are embracing nothing short of willful ignorance.

[JPDrake]

There is really no debate. Ed is a cocaine snorting, porn-watching, wife beating.... yeah I should stop

Mick on the other hand, has brought this city into the eyes of the global population. We have a real shot at truly booming and becoming the next great major city in the midwest thanks to him and the momentum keeps rolling.

When in doubt, go for ad hominem...

[David]

Just listed to that State of the City speech, and wow does Mick come across well. I honestly got goosebumps at the bit about the phoenix.

[Edgar]

There is really no debate. Ed is a cocaine snorting, porn-watching, wife beating.... yeah I should stop

Mick on the other hand, has brought this city into the eyes of the global population. We have a real shot at truly booming and becoming the next great major city in the midwest thanks to him and the momentum keeps rolling.

There is plenty to debate. One candidate is a chamber lapdog who wants to mortgage the city's finacial future on a bad bet and the other is running to be mayor of OKC.

[SoonerDave]

There is plenty to debate. One candidate is a chamber lapdog who wants to mortgage the city's finacial future on a bad bet and the other is running to be mayor of OKC.

If the alternative is your Cocaine Cowboy, I'll take a chamber lapdog 100 times out of 100. That "chamber lapdog" has done more for the city in that speech than Ed has in his entire career.

[warreng88]

Edgar, why do you think the Chamber is so evil? Do you even know what they do or who they are made up of?

[betts]

Edgar is almost assuredly Steve Hunt and perhaps a couple others who help out. You can't tell him anything and he pops on occasionally, throws out random nonsense and posts links to videos of himself. Waste of time and energy.

[SoonerDave]

If the collective wisdom here is that Edgar is really nothing but a troll, could maybe I solicit a question why he's allowed to continue posting? I thought ongoing trolling or purposely being combative/not constructive was grounds to get 86'd, warned, whatever. And if that's not an appropriate question to ask here, apologies.

I have no problem with people having a different opinion on things, it can foster good discussion, but when it just becomes argument for argument's sake, that's neither constructive nor even enjoyable, but that's just me.

[Edgar]

We've told him. Many, many, many times. He doesn't seem to care how many businesses proudly have their Chamber sticker in their window. They don't count. Their dues aren't measured. And they voice isn't heard.

He's trolling, that's all he's doing.

Whatever the chamber omce may have been, it's morphed into an agressive lobbying organization that extorts concessions out of desperate towns because they're the sacred job creators and all, and we should kiss their ring. There seems to be no appreciation to give back to the civivzation that provides the opportunity- 766 as example, and they're going after the franchise tax next. No doubt why their patsy ag changed the title wording on the school shelter petition and is doing everything available to impede the drive. There is zero sense of commonwealth anymore. It's no holds barred every person for themselves.

[jerrywall]

There is plenty to debate. One candidate is an intelligent, educated, and charismatic leader who has been instrumental to building the city's bright financial future and the other is a wannabe community activist with rage issues who potentially performed medical services under the influence of illegal drugs, and historically has refused to participate in the democratic process of this city and wants to overturn and work against the will of the people, who is running to be mayor of OKC.

Fixed it.

[Edgar]

Edgar is almost assuredly Steve Hunt and perhaps a couple others who help out. You can't tell him anything and he pops on occasionally, throws out random nonsense and posts links to videos of himself. Waste of time and energy.

No I'm Edgar but i do enjoy the fresco menu at Taco Bell. What random nonsense have I've thrown out?- that a popular franchise was highjacked by special interests to get a pet project built that all voters rejected when polled, all evidence indicates it will wreck the town's finances, unless you live in a magical kingdom Mick inhabits. MAPSII an insult to the previous incarnations.

[warreng88]

Whatever the chamber omce may have been, it's morphed into an agressive lobbying organization that extorts concessions out of desperate towns because they're the sacred job creators and all, and we should kiss their ring. There seems to be no appreciation to give back to the civivzation that provides the opportunity- 766 as example, and they're going after the franchise tax next. No doubt why their patsy ag changed the title wording on the school shelter petition and is doing everything available to impede the drive. There is zero sense of commonwealth anymore. It's no holds barred every person for themselves.

House Bill 766 was from the State Senate, not the OKC Chamber. You know that, right?

[CaptDave]

Whatever the chamber omce may have been, it's morphed into an agressive lobbying organization that extorts concessions out of desperate towns because they're the sacred job creators and all, and we should kiss their ring. There seems to be no appreciation to give back to the civivzation that provides the opportunity- 766 as example, and they're going after the franchise tax next. No doubt why their patsy ag changed the title wording on the school shelter petition and is doing everything available to impede the drive. There is zero sense of commonwealth anymore. It's no holds barred every person for themselves.

I am no fan of the far right and blind adoration of "job creators", but you are so far off base the pitcher could roll the ball to first and pick you off. I've been to a few Chamber events and of course the large corporations in OKC are represented; but there are hundreds of small, locally owned businesses that make up the majority of the members. These people work hard and take enormous risks and are actually the people Ed claims to want to represent. The State Chamber does present ideas and lobbies for laws I disagree with but they are not the OKC Chamber. Just because you have bought some strange narrative that about the OKC Chamber, and keep repeating it, it does not make them evil or some kind of nefarious shadow government. Constantly railing against the OKC Chamber or using the words "chamber cabal" does nothing to enhance your already nonexistent credibility.

[CaptDave]

House Bill 766 was from the State Senate, not the OKC Chamber. You know that, right?

I doubt he does.

[PixAre]

There is plenty to debate. One candidate is a chamber lapdog who wants to mortgage the city's finacial future on a bad bet and the other is running to be mayor of OKC.

Says the person who has yet to bring up any reasonable discussion or factual information in this thread. Again, we are asking, what is Ed's platform exactly? We know what he wants to derail. But what does he want to do? Do you even know? And please don't bother with epithets on Mick's political affiliation or connection to the chamber. ANY person who ends up the Mayor's seat would have to work with the Chamber on projects. Economic development and promotion are part of the job.

As for this "bad bet" you are so fond of talking about, I recall with great clarity how Steve Hunt (you?) and David Glover (doubtful you since David would at least have the guts to show up here) were defiantly against the Ford/Chesapeake Center expansion and the financing of an arena. You opposed under no uncertain terms the expansion of the arena and retrofit in order to bring in an NBA team. Said team just crushed the Heat last night and will likely make a pretty deep run in the playoffs - yet again - bringing in tens of millions of economic development and added sales tax revenues - in the process. In the immortal words of Dr. Phil "How's that working out for you?"

Maybe when you start providing relevant remarks about what Ed actually stands for, people may lend you a bit (but only a bit) of credence.

[kevinpate]

Some people are too easily trolled. Someone said a post or three very positive regarding the mayor, and it's all buried under a bunch of posts wondering why one poster is so off base about something else, in this instance the city chamber of commerce.

Might be time to start leaving attempted all attempted derailments aside and just stay on the mayor race track. And in that light, y'alls current mayor is one of the better known mayors nationally. That bears some thinking on folks. OKC is a ways out of the top ten cities when considered by population, population growth, economic impact, and a passle of other criteria, yet has a mayor who is known, and known by name, as a mayor helping in a city that is doing great things, things that others wish to emulate.

When one has a candidate that is popular at home and elsewhere, it is probably in his best interest to highlight him repeatedly rather than respond to every off track effort to make him look bad.

Just saying.

[Bellaboo]

No I'm Edgar but i do enjoy the fresco menu at Taco Bell. What random nonsense have I've thrown out?- that a popular franchise was highjacked by special interests to get a pet project built that all voters rejected when polled, all evidence indicates it will wreck the town's finances, unless you live in a magical kingdom Mick inhabits. MAPSII an insult to the previous incarnations.

No, you are a Troll ! In a little over a month, it'll be over for you and el Shadid, The Doctor, the adult in the room and the Good Doctor.

[Urban Pioneer]

How many times have we gone over this difference in the CoC's??? Geez. Like I said, I'm buying Reynold's Aluminum stock.

[Edgar]

House Bill 766 was from the State Senate, not the OKC Chamber. You know that, right?

Oh yeah our ledge asks the chamber what bills they'd like written. The chamber promotes it.http://www.okcchamber.com/clientuplo...nt_october.pdf , on the taxpayers dime. Chamber head even admitted it'd be yet another blow to ed in Ok, but hey not as much as they're saying. People voted themselves a property tax increase to fund schools and whatnot. Now it's obvious they're going after the franchise tax, and judges they don't like. They did provide a good laugh with their candidate in Norman's last mayoral election. The mailers were special.