It’s one of the many nice things about Toledoans. We tend to forgive and forget.
That trait is especially pronounced when it comes to city politics. Carty made a career out of the tendency of T-Town voters to forget his missteps and forgive his transgressions. Which brings us to the topic we’ve pondered through recent columns: Who is best positioned to run against the incumbent mayor, Mike Bell?
We’ve already given the lowdown on folks most likely to succeed who can run from the cover of their current elected position, including Auditor Anita Lopez, State Rep. Michael Ashford, and County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz. We started to write this column about other heavy hitters likely to explore a run, including Councilmen D. Michael Collins and Joe McNamara.
Those speculations will have to stay on hold. The more we delve into the ins and outs of the likely 2013 race, we can’t fight the nagging feeling that the entire exercise is merely academic. We’re starting to wonder whether Ol’ Bell Bottoms can be beaten after all.
Comeback kid
Yeah, we know, this is a complete turnaround from the first installment weeks ago. Back then we wrote that his lack of transparency in economic development, problems with perceived cronyism in the Department of Neighborhoods, and alignment with the unpopular SB 5 initiative of Guvnah John Kasich amounted to, and we quote, “three strikes and you’re out,” end quote.
Lately we’ve been having second thoughts, remembering how often we counted Carty out only to be surprised repeatedly by the ultimate comeback kid of swampy politics. Is Bell and his floundering reputation on the rebound, with months to go before the oh thirteen elections begin to suck up wind?
Consider. The neighborhoods thing is particularly old news, barring any future indictments stemming from continued investigations, especially since a complete house cleaning at the top levels. Issue 2 is likewise gone with yesterday’s Google search, and unless Bell foolishly aligns himself with the likely “Right to Work” anti-union initiative this year, will also be forgotten.
In the meantime, Bell can point out how effective his team has been at collective bargaining. While at times the relationship was downright combative, all city unions have reached steeply concessionary agreements, reducing or eliminating the bane of previous budgets, employer pick up of employee pension contributions, while also freezing wages.
When it comes to economic development, he can point to the massive investment in the GM Powertrain and Chrysler plants, putting thousands back to work, along with recovering budget numbers that actually produced a surplus in oh eleven. The beginning of construction on the long anticipated Marina District would all but seal Bell’s legacy.
His recent embrace of family benefits for city employees engaged in domestic partnerships will certainly put to rest any notion that he is a Repuglican at heart. His sorely needed investments in road, water and sewer infrastructure in tough economic times will dwarf those of his predecessors. He is slowly rebuilding safety forces with a constant infusion of new classes, and his police force continues to update to use the latest technology.
His administration has arguably done more with less than any in recent history. And besides all that, Bell remains a likeable, friendly, just-plain-folks persona in Toledo.
For many Toledoans he remains larger than life.
Perhaps those of us deep inside city politics are too caught up in the policy wonk crowd to see the reality as perceived by the average T-Town voter. Because they still seem to love Hizzoner.
Psych out
Maybe instead of speculating on who-can-win, the better question is how. Any of the above possible opponents can run a credible campaign emphasizing differences with the incumbent mayor. But can they convince voters not to like Mike?
That’s a deeply psychological question rather than a political one. Can any
opponent effectively pin blame on Bell himself for foibles and faux pas? Will voters instead forgive and forget and go with the warm fuzzies they get when Bell smiles and shakes their hand? What will win, policy, feelings, or some unknown amalgam of the two?
Which brings us to the top of the column. We have short memories, leading to long careers for folks like Carty who can make people feel good whether or not voting for them was in their best interest.
Do we like Mike enough to give him four more years?
