Smith & Didier Not Part Of Steve Shine's Spin Zone

This is the fifth in a series of posts concerning the 2007 elections

Republicans Tom Smith and Tom Didier blew away their opponents in seeking their return to city council. Both ran in districts where three candidates where on the ballot.

First district councilman Smith came away with 60% of the vote. Even with Libertarian Byran Peters grabbing almost 10% of the vote did not hurt Smith.

Third district councilman Didier swayed just about 62% of the voters to return him to office. While Debra McBride (D) tried her best, Didier's being responsive to those in his district was just too much to overcome.

For these two councilmen the "anti Kelty" vote was not present. The voters in their districts believed these where the two best people and voted for them.

The Harrison Square issue did not hurt either one. Smith had been opposed to it from the beginning. Didier, while guarded in his endorsement, voted for it.

The smoking ban appears to have played no roll in the voting. Smith supported the ban and Didier opposed it.

Republican Chairman Steve Shine, has stated that the loss suffered by John Crawford was tied to the Harrison Square voting is unfounded. Also to say the Libertarian candidates "stole" voters away is bogus. Voters who decide, on their own, found the Libertarian candidates more to their liking then what Crawford stood for.

Shine has attributed Crawford's loss to Matt Kelty's defeat in running for mayor. Had Shine and Crawford tried to work with Kelty, instead of trying to seal his defeat, Crawford would be returning to council in January. Both Crawford and Shine took their shots at Kelty and just maybe enough of Kelty voters decided it was time for Crawford to go.

While Shine may try to sell the Harrison Square and Kelty's problems as the reason for Crawford's loss just doesn't add up with people who look beyond the headlines.