Globe poll: Menino would win in a landslide
By adamg - 5/9/09 - 10:34 pm
A city in love with its mayor. Of course, a lot can happen in six months. Like Yvonne Abraham could personally introduce every single Bostonian to the three other guys who want to replace Menino.
Comments
sigh
So very sad...
Poll
Great.
Meeting the mayor makes a
Meeting the mayor makes a huge difference to people... other politicians should take note (not a swipe at the other challengers they seem to be willing to press the flesh as well.) Many of our new politicians think big speeches where hundreds/thousands see them at the same time is good enough that they do not actually have to meet people in person. I would like to see where they are 16 years from now. That personal touch is huge, and should not be underestimated.
Agreed
When I was entertaining the idea of eventually running for an office like city council (outside Boston), I'd already planned to literally knock on the doors of most of my constituents. Just me, and an assistant to watchdog the time.
I don't know whether people don't realize how important that is, or they just think they can win without that huge investment of effort.
I've had to give up plans of eventual public office, so I guess there's no harm in sharing this SUPER-SECRET STRATEGY of ACTUALLY MEETING CONSTITUENTS. :)
And ...
On a related note, 70% of Bostonians responded to the survey saying they had been personally approached by City Councilor Doug Bennett.
I know people who vote for
I know people who vote for people because "they seem like a nice guy" heck if I'm not educated on the choices I do the same thing (every so often someone runs for the equivlant of dog catcher or something, I just don't care to be honest.) Someone shows up on your door step, talks with you, pats the dog, gives you a bumper sticker and is nice about it, thats someone the average person may just vote for. If the other guy tries a negative campaign on the door knocker the little old ladies he spoke to will look at the ad and think "he/she is such a nice person, they even came to my door. Who is this other guy attacking him/her why hasnt he been to my house? I can not believe they are making up this about that nice young man/woman who came to my door." People like what is familiar, and whats more familiar then someone right in front of you shaking your hand and smiling?
Plus
In addition to helping you win the election, meeting people might also give you a better sense of who your constituents are and what is important to them, so you can be more effective when you get the job.
And, if you have a heart, meeting them will *personalize* them for you. They're not just voters and abstract groups; they're a multitude of individuals, and you have some responsibility to each one as well as to the collective.
Poll not surprising
The two major contenders have not given the public a reason to unseat Menino. Yes, six months is a long time, but both Flaherty and Yoon better find a strong message and stick to it if they want to have any chance whatsoever.
Why have Bostonians not met them?
Flaherty has been a CITY WIDE councilor for 9 years and yet is never seen in the neigborhoods. I have personally seen him more on the Cape then at local civic meetings. Yoon also has little involvement in the actual neighborhoods of Boston. No excuse.
Yeah sure, Menino is
Yeah sure, Menino is EVERYWHERE. He's at every dog kennel opening and ribbon cutting and parade and of course at baby'e christening. I swear its because his staff keeps him the hell out of the office so he doesn't get in the way. The guy is an inept oaf and I truly beleive that people are finally going to realize it in time to vote for someone else.
Whit
they want the interest groups
Flaherty and Yoon are working on the interest groups. I don't discount your observations, but I wonder if they can really win the handshaking race.
The only citywide issue is the economy and I haven't heard anything from Flaherty, Yoon, McCrea or even Menino that makes me think they can improve the economy.
Thats great...
...but you dont become Mayor of a City like Boston without looking past the special interests and actually spending time with its people. Swaying special interest groups is not how Boston votes. Hitting the streets is what does it. Being seen, being active. Mayor White was considered saint of a man because little old women knew him and working class men respected him. This is a provincial City. Everything is local. In many areas its Family, Parish, Neighborhood. An elected official who does not bother coming into these areas to find out what is going on will never fall in good favor with voters. Some people like to use "shaking hands" as if it is a dirty word. Its not. It goes beyond pounding the flesh. Its connections to individuals and neighborhoods. Flaherty and Yoon running for Mayor any other way shows what actual respect they have (or dont have) for the residents of Boston.
Menino shakes hands, does little
Menino comes to my neighborhood and doesn't do what we ask, although he's not particularly harmful. As an incumbent he can muscle enough unions and interest groups his way, and that's enough to get elected. His opponents aren't proposing anything that will improve conditions in the city beyond what Menino has done.
True 9 years in has given
True 9 years in has given Flaherty plenty of time to glad hand his way up and down the streets of Boston during festivals and civic events. If you want to be mayor you should be the type of person who goes to those things, not because you want to be elected but because you care about them and like to visit all of the events. Like it or not Menino has added representing the city at dozens of events a week to the job description.
Yoon in the neighborhood
PaulParisi says that Sam Yoon "has little involvement in the actual neighborhoods of Boston". I don't know about other neighborhoods, but he has been all over Boston's largest (Dorchester).
Larry Davidson
Really?
I live in Dot and have only seen him at 1 civic association meeting in over 2 years. I have only missed 1 in that time. Are my eyes lieing to me?