This is the first of a series of posts on the 2007 election
While standing at Republican Party Headquarters last night, Councilman John Crawford stated on a local radio station that he believed his defeat was a result of his stance on Headwaters Square, the smoking ban, and republican mayoral candidate Matt Kelty's issues. While there is no denying that these may have played some roll in his defeat, there where other issues that contributed to his defeat.
Crawford drove away former supporters by his actions on council. One was when he introduced a special clause into law that made smoking within 100 feet of any property line of the local hospitals. He angered both smokers and nonsmokers that worked within the walls of the hospitals. It was not the smoking issue, but one of hospitals using local government to strong arm the conduct of employees. For some of them, this was the very issue why they would not vote for Crawford.
While the sign ordinance was not discussed during the campaign, it did cost Crawford votes. The local real estate agents and realtors had asked council to hold up passing the sign ordinance to see if there was some way they could allow for real estate signs showing directions to open houses. Crawford was the one who spoke out it was a waste of time to even consider such. Of the hundreds of real estate agents doing business in Fort Wayne, this was the very issue why some of them would not vote for Crawford.
Matt Kelty had his share of issues to deal with. Sadly, some of those came from within the Allen County Republican Party. With the likes of Sam Talarico, Jr. in the highly publicized media event jumped across to support democrat Tom Henry did not fair well with some republican voters.
The average republican voter has long thought of Crawford as a leader among the elected officials. His standing mute, thus endorsing Talarico's behavior, told the conservative wing of the party that he really was not the leader they thought he was. For some, this was the issue as to why they could not vote for Crawford.
Crawford used a council meeting to chastise and hold Matt Kelty up to contempt, over a radio spot sponsored by some outside political PAC. This ad ran on an extremely small market share local radio station. While many found the radio spot distasteful, but id did not break any laws and it did not contain any lies. For some, this use of a council meeting to further a personal belief was the issue as to why they could not vote for Crawford.
The media did not pick up on it, for whatever reason, Crawford's campaigning manager was his young teenage son. To some, this was making a mockery of importance of having a good knowledgeable campaign manager. For a few, this was the issue as to why they could not vote for Crawford.
Some believe the issues Matt Kelty faces did not help the republican party, across the board. However, looking at what other republicans did in the voting that would be error in thought. They held their own. The negative Kelty effect was minimal in their success.
Crawford has stated his support of Harrison Square, the smoking ban, and the sign ordinance are things he strongly believed in. While this may be true and he should be respected for standing by his convictions. However, it was not what many of the voters believed in.
Crawford stood tall on these issues and should stand tall in accepting his own defeat.
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5 comments:
Kelty had little or nothing to do with Dr. Crawford's loss. Although I commend Dr. Crawford for doing what he believed was right, what he believed was right was inconsistent with Republican Ideals and his base. The Smoking Ban is evidence of a belief in big government controlling our life, the sign ordinance hurt business and again supports the power of big government and Harrison Square is more of the same.
Dr. Crawford's votes on council cost him the election, not Matt Kelty's problems.
Bender and Brown both support Harrison Square and Brown is a supporter of the smoking ban as well. It was definitely a complex race and I agree there wasn't a single issue that led to Crawford's defeat.
I believe Ozzie Mitsen was his actual campaign manager...
Jeff, if his man was Ozzie was then every TV spot Crawford ran was wrong.
I don't get that last comment?
Crawford stood tall and out spoken on the Smoking Ban. He is the one who championed it.
Crawford stood firm in his support of Harrison Square. He even made comments about those who did not support it.
Crawford is the one who stood tall about sign ban. He sited Supreme Court decissions to cut off debate. However, had he been open he would have told his fellow council members the very law they passed will not pass a court chalange.
So those are the issues he stood tall on and he should stand tall in those are the things that got him defeated.
A few votes here and a few votes there add up to enough votes to get defeated.
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