'This is the city I love ... I'm running for mayor' - Duggan Officially In

[Hypestyles]

Curious. I'll say this: Detroit needs the right mayor, and not simply "a white mayor" as some conservatives have offered as a tactile gesture that the city is "genuinely ready" to embrace reinvestment on various fronts and a presumably more "cordial" tone in its interactions with various suburban locales and state government in Lansing. For sure, Duggan has the connections to raise the money its going to take to sustain a year-long campaign, and so far anyway, he's had the social savvy to build up support from various potential kingmakers in city politics. Hopefully the grassroots engagement that he has publicized will continue, and he will genuinely listen to the concerns of neighborhood residents.
I hope that Duggan's stance on Detroit's financial emergency isn't just to score cheap political points with urban residents who don't like the idea of an EM. The track record of EMs in Michigan is mixed, to be fair. But also, anyone who is going to be the next mayor is going to have to take an honest hard look at the city's fiscal and bureaucratic state of affairs. For over 50 years now, tax policy in America, from the federal level to the state level to the local level has seen more accommodations and loopholes for big business and the affluent, demanding less of them while by default demanding more of the working-middle class and the poor. Suburban sprawl was in part subsidized by federal dollars. Manufacturing moved to rural and unincorporated communities, as well as to foreign countries. Urban cores, by default, have been decimated. Only in the past 10 years have we finally seen the "ultimate" consequences of these independent-but-collaborative socioeconomic events, which is the insolvency of municipalities. When the remaining residents of a city are largely poor, many of whom are unemployed or underemployed, this means that there will be a lower overall tax revenue to help facilitate city services.
Whoever ends up winning the mayoral election will have to face the likelihood of some form of state receivership already being in place by the time he or she takes office. On that note, real solutions, not rhetoric, will help to make Detroit a better place to live.

[Danny]

YAY! Mike Duggan for mayor of Detroit. He will win the election in the bag.

[Danny]

Prediction for August Primary for Detroit Mayoral Election:


DUGGAN 65%

BING 30%

NAPOLEON 2%

CRITTENDON 2%

There will be a 3% marjin of error.

[48202]

Prediction for August Primary for Detroit Mayoral Election:


DUGGAN 65%

BING 30%

NAPOLEON 2%

CRITTENDON 2%

There will be a 3% marjin of error.

Prediction for primary:

Bing will not run for re-election.

[Wesley Mouch]

Curious. ...snip...
I hope that Duggan's stance on Detroit's financial emergency isn't just to score cheap political points with urban residents who don't like the idea of an EM. The track record of EMs in Michigan is mixed, to be fair. But also, anyone who is going to be the next mayor is going to have to take an honest hard look at the city's fiscal and bureaucratic state of affairs. For over 50 years now, tax policy in America, from the federal level to the state level to the local level has seen more accommodations and loopholes for big business and the affluent, demanding less of them while by default demanding more of the working-middle class and the poor. Suburban sprawl was in part subsidized by federal dollars. Manufacturing moved to rural and unincorporated communities, as well as to foreign countries. Urban cores, by default, have been decimated. Only in the past 10 years have we finally seen the "ultimate" consequences of these independent-but-collaborative socioeconomic events, which is the insolvency of municipalities. When the remaining residents of a city are largely poor, many of whom are unemployed or underemployed, this means that there will be a lower overall tax revenue to help facilitate city services....snip...

Much truth -- but also much excusing those who have failed too. Both sides need reform. Not just pointing at the other and deflecting blame.

I too was surprised to hear Duggan's stance on EFM. It probably is necessary to get elected, so after the election he'll likely act differently, as Obama has with drones and OBL. There are things you need to do that would never pass popular election.

Does he really believe it? I do wonder. More important -- will it work. If he can really get reform done through politics? I don't see a willingness in labor or administration to do things a new way. But if there's any chance for non-EFM, its Duggan.

[Honky Tonk]

Much truth -- but also much excusing those who have failed too. Both sides need reform. Not just pointing at the other and deflecting blame.

I too was surprised to hear Duggan's stance on EFM. It probably is necessary to get elected, so after the election he'll likely act differently, as Obama has with drones and OBL. There are things you need to do that would never pass popular election.

Does he really believe it? I do wonder. More important -- will it work. If he can really get reform done through politics? I don't see a willingness in labor or administration to do things a new way. But if there's any chance for non-EFM, its Duggan.

First of all, I don't give a rat's @ss about his skin color, and take offense to such posting for both black and white candidates. You're either competent, or your not. End of rant. I can feel caution flags going up when I read about Duggan and his background. He's promising a lot of stuff and it sounds "nice", but an EFM not being needed really raises my eyebrows. That's a tall tale. Still, I'm willing to hear him out, and see what his "plan" is to bring life and stability back to Detroit. If his plan sounds feasible, I'm willing to give him a vote. I've been through this before, the "knight on white horse" scenario, with past candidates. Whoever gets my vote has to have a realistic, working plan, and not just provide feel good lip service. So far, I'm not really impressed with any of them.

[Wesley Mouch]

...snip... but an EFM not being needed really raises my eyebrows. That's a tall tale. Still, I'm willing to hear him out, and see what his "plan" is to bring life and stability back to Detroit. If his plan sounds feasible, I'm willing to give him a vote. I've been through this before, the "knight on white horse" scenario, with past candidates. Whoever gets my vote has to have a realistic, working plan, and not just provide feel good lip service. So far, I'm not really impressed with any of them.

Plan? Sure you need a plan. But its more important to have the ability [[or power) to implement the steps. I can write a plan that says there'll be a 10% improvement in productivity in some department. But can I make that happen? No.

An EFM, EM or bankruptcy judge is given powers to get things done. And without the usual consequences. That's the secret ingredient. Plan? Who cares. Ability to shove things down people's throats -- priceless.

Or am I wrong? Maybe if Duggan develops a great plan, and shows the way out -- he'll get stubborn union management on-side and also get bondholders to believe that a haircut is the best they can hope for? Who knows.

[Honky Tonk]

Plan? Sure you need a plan. But its more important to have the ability [[or power) to implement the steps. I can write a plan that says there'll be a 10% improvement in productivity in some department. But can I make that happen? No.

An EFM, EM or bankruptcy judge is given powers to get things done. And without the usual consequences. That's the secret ingredient. Plan? Who cares. Ability to shove things down people's throats -- priceless.

Or am I wrong? Maybe if Duggan develops a great plan, and shows the way out -- he'll get stubborn union management on-side and also get bondholders to believe that a haircut is the best they can hope for? Who knows.

I agree about the "ability" part. My objection is these "feel good" speeches about solving all the issues AND having a cup of coffee ready for me every morning when I wake up. What if his "plan" is to jack-up taxes for those already paying into the system, because he needs more revenue? How do you like him now? No, I need to hear how you're "planning" to accomplish these pie-in-the-sky promises you're making @ election time. My other issue with him is his "ties" to former regimes. His campaign manager is a staunch Kilpatrick supporter. He has others from that camp too. This concerns me. The story is in Deadline Detroit. I tried to post the link but their site is currently down.

[webband1]

I agree about the "ability" part. My objection is these "feel good" speeches about solving all the issues AND having a cup of coffee ready for me every morning when I wake up. What if his "plan" is to jack-up taxes for those already paying into the system, because he needs more revenue? How do you like him now? No, I need to hear how you're "planning" to accomplish these pie-in-the-sky promises you're making @ election time. My other issue with him is his "ties" to former regimes. His campaign manager is a staunch Kilpatrick supporter. He has others from that camp too. This concerns me. The story is in Deadline Detroit. I tried to post the link but their site is currently down.

So because Conrad Mallett gave $1,000 in charity money to Kwame, he's a "staunch" supporter? Did I miss where Mallett was screaming that Kwame was innocent? Regardless, Mallett is not Duggan's campaign manager. Mallett is still employed by the DMC. Duggan's campaign manager is Bryan Barnhill, formerly Charles Pugh's chief of staff, is his campaign manager.

In the bigger picture, I think we need to recognize that because Detroit isn't really that big a town, that all the politicos tend to be connected in one way or another. Benny Napoleon will no doubt have former Kilpatrick backers supporting him. Others will have supporters who used to work for Ficano, McNamara, Young, etc. Does having a prominent supporter who used to be close with a disgraced official or allegedly corrupt official automatically ruin that candidate?

[Honky Tonk]

So because Conrad Mallett gave $1,000 in charity money to Kwame, he's a "staunch" supporter? Did I miss where Mallett was screaming that Kwame was innocent? Regardless, Mallett is not Duggan's campaign manager. Mallett is still employed by the DMC. Duggan's campaign manager is Bryan Barnhill, formerly Charles Pugh's chief of staff, is his campaign manager.

In the bigger picture, I think we need to recognize that because Detroit isn't really that big a town, that all the politicos tend to be connected in one way or another. Benny Napoleon will no doubt have former Kilpatrick backers supporting him. Others will have supporters who used to work for Ficano, McNamara, Young, etc. Does having a prominent supporter who used to be close with a disgraced official or allegedly corrupt official automatically ruin that candidate?

It doesn't "ruin" the candidate, but as I posted, it does make me wonder. There is the quote from Detroit News "Mallett is a long-time Kilpatrick friend and former aide" that doesn't make me rest any easier. The News's words, not mine. I would prefer whoever came into office, was serious about the task @ hand, and had no former affiliations or alliances. This being Detroit, and not a big town, I'm probably living in a dream world. I find this years stock of candidates, again disappointing.