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

**Lowell** · February-27-13, 11:28 AM

No huge surprise here, of course, but now official Duggan's candidacy insures that an already interesting political season will be even more interesting and, dare I say, more colorful.

Link to Article in Crains

The other night I heard that he had held over seventy, most in-home, meetings in this build up. He seems to be running a very focused campaign playing on the theme of being a turn-around specialist and has significant support both politically and financially.

For now he is speaking to potential supporters and the like. How will he hold up in a sure-to-be bruising contest? Fasten your seatbelts.

**Honky Tonk** · February-27-13, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

No huge surprise here, of course, but Duggan's candidacy insures that an already interesting political season will be more interesting and, dare I say, more colorful.

Link to Article in Crains

The other night I heard that he had held over seventy, most in-home, meetings in this build up. He seems to be running a very focused campaign playing on the theme of being a turn-around specialist and has significant support both politically and financially.

For now he is speaking to potential supporters and the like. How will he hold up in a sure-to-be bruising contest? Fasten your seatbelts.

And stock up on Valium.....

**Bham1982** · February-27-13, 11:46 AM

I guess there's nothing left to loot with Wayne County government, so time to shakedown Detroit taxpayers.

And yet another carpetbagger claiming to "save" Detroit from the unwashed masses. Is there no city resident with the qualifications and cojones to implement austerity and right-sizing?

**lpg** · February-27-13, 11:58 AM

Old Ed McNamara stll pulling the strings from the grave ??

**Hypestyles** · February-27-13, 12:04 PM

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** · February-27-13, 12:13 PM

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

**Danny** · February-27-13, 12:18 PM

Prediction for August Primary for Detroit Mayoral Election:

DUGGAN 65%

BING 30%

NAPOLEON 2%

CRITTENDON 2%

There will be a 3% marjin of error.

**kenp** · February-27-13, 01:03 PM

I cant imagine that he has a chance to win, should be an interesting race.

**ccal** · February-27-13, 02:47 PM

The campaign money would be better used if it were donated to charity rather than have it wasted on his campaign.

**corktownyuppie** · February-27-13, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by kenp

I cant imagine that he has a chance to win, should be an interesting race.

Really? Most politicos are have him finishing 1st or 2nd in the race. Will be interesting.

**detmsp** · February-27-13, 03:12 PM

I hate to say it, but he might be the best choice [[at least compared to Bing and Crittendon). I know all about the corruption and ties to McNamara... but at least the McNamara machine got things done. Look at the airport... lots of corruption and no-bid contracts, but a world class airport got built. Our city govt is already rife with corruption and is completely incompetent. I'd trade that for a govt that is still rife with corruption but also accomplishes things.

**Honky Tonk** · February-27-13, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by detmsp

I hate to say it, but he might be the best choice [[at least compared to Bing and Crittendon). I know all about the corruption and ties to McNamara... but at least the McNamara machine got things done. Look at the airport... lots of corruption and no-bid contracts, but a world class airport got built. Our city govt is already rife with corruption and is completely incompetent. I'd trade that for a govt that is still rife with corruption but also accomplishes things.

The KKK, [[King Kwame Killpatrick), accomplished cleaning out the City's bank account, lining his pockets, leaving the City broke. I'm not sure there's enough left to go around.

**brizee** · February-27-13, 03:44 PM

He's currently who I'll vote for if I'm still here. I also think the will Detroit elect a white candidate is so so so not an issue.

However since it would be disengenuous to just pretend like race wouldn't be a huge issue in his campaign...

I think a white leader would be good for Detroit. Not that he's any more capable than a black man, and that previous sentence hurt me a little to even type. But for some outsiders to both the actual city and the region, I think it would instantly change some people's perception of Detroit.

On a more positive note, the by districts council should be huge, and more representative too. Mexican hispanic or black it really doesn't matter to me. We could also do with a wider range of careers on the council. We need community/ethnic activists, engineers, doctors, lawyers, machinists/carpenters/journeyman. We need a diverse mix of viewpoints brought to the table.

**ccal** · February-27-13, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

The KKK, [[King Kwame Killpatrick), accomplished cleaning out the City's bank account, lining his pockets, leaving the City broke. I'm not sure there's enough left to go around.

Is one of his federal charges embezzlement?

**coracle** · February-27-13, 04:14 PM

Just imagine brizee that after 50 or so years of decline you end up with a combination of a white Mayor and a whte Gov. at the moment when Detroit reaches its nadir. Would I be disingenuous to think that color will be a huge issue in allocating the blame for everything, even though, as you say. they are no less capable than a black man? If there's a time to vote white this is it - it's made to order to save face by claiming an open mind after it's irrecoverable.
I am surprised by how vocally keen Duggan is to serve which leads me to think he might not be up to the challenge.

**Ltdave** · February-27-13, 08:12 PM

he'll never get elected....

**East Detroit** · February-28-13, 12:26 AM

There would be concerns about the city council working with him. Has he addressed that? Have any of them voiced opinions on him as Mayor?

And of course the other issue is the EM appointment probably coming soon... does this mean whoever is Mayor doesnt really matter? Or would the EM do the dirty work in shorter than four years and then hand the Mayor a cleaner slate to work with?

**KJ5** · February-28-13, 08:05 AM

Benny Napoleon will win.

**48202** · February-28-13, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

Prediction for primary:

Bing will not run for re-election.

**Bham1982** · February-28-13, 09:34 AM

I think Napolean will be the next mayor, probably in a landslide.

I don't think Duggan has a chance. I also agree that Bing will probably not run for reelection.

**Zacha341** · February-28-13, 09:37 AM

I think Duggan may have a chance. And no I will not be voting Napoleon.

**coracle** · February-28-13, 10:00 AM

I think Danny's got his margin of error screwed up. It should be 97%; and the 3% have got it right.
Duggan won't cut it because he's the wrong color.
Bing won't cut it because he can't.
The other two aren't in it from the start.

**Eber Brock Ward** · February-28-13, 10:05 AM

I think Duggan wins, he has enough kingmakers on his side already.

**Bham1982** · February-28-13, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Eber Brock Ward

I think Duggan wins, he has enough kingmakers on his side already.

What "kingmakers on his side" would influence a Detroit election?

Detroit elections are won in the black churches. Duggan isn't a good speaker, isn't charismatic, is an outsider, and, yeah, he's white. He's basically a younger, smarter, white Bing, with a big dose of corrpution.

**Wesley Mouch** · February-28-13, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Hypestyles

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.