Endorsement? No Thanks

Congratulations Mike, perhaps you will start a trend.  As many have said before me, follow the money and know where it leads before you go to the polls. 

It's good to be honest and not "beholden", especially in the political arena. 

Your blog message should go out to all of your future constituents and they'd be lining up to vote for you, I bet. 

Thanks,
JudyB

You are to be commended for the stand you have taken.   Wish more politician would follow your lead.   Money has lured many well-intention candidates into traps they cannot escape. 

Mike and fellow bloggers, I have to respectfully disagree.  I think this is the time to be a man, step up to the plate and speak to people you see as the opposition. 

I think you need to make your viewpoint heard to the segment of the population that employes the highest number of county employees behind the hospital and the school board.  Why whould you not listen to their issues, why would you not share your concerns?

You have stated many times how narrow minded (my words not yours, i am paraphrasing as you have done in the past) the development community is.  Why not confront them face to face. 

 I have watched as numerous retail and professional businesses have closed in the past 6 months.  Who does business at these establishments, the people who commute to Jax to work, or the people who work here on a day to day basis?

 Development is a sticky wicket.  Everyone likes it just the way it was the day they moved in...the proverbial NIMBY, but what is the solution.  YOu must have one, you have orated on the subject endlessly.  Why not share it with the people you think cause the problem?

 At the end of the day, if they did endorse you, you could say thanks but no thanks.  Or you can grandstand for your blogging buddies.

Mike - I believe I concurred with PBinCC in a private email.  I don't have any more to add to what was said in that comment:  Why Not?

You gave yourself the platform when you put yourself out there as a candidate for District #3.  Make it your own and speak from it.  Speak to the voters.

Thanks,
JudyB

If you are a candidate, why not respond publicly...why do you need to use private emails?

 Be open as a candidate...be willing to share...it is all about sunshine in Florida.

Mike I applaud your decision to stand by your personal convictions. Standing up for what you believe in and standing behind your decisions.

Don't think anything was said about not speaking/listening to voters.  The subject matter concerned endorsements.

Well, Paige, if I was like you and saw the Builders Association as narrow-minded opposition that needs to be confronted, my testosterone level might overrule my common sense and lead me right into that big battle. But builders aren't my enemies to be fought.

There isn't a fight brewing. It's an election. If they choose to support my opponent and do what they can to elect him or her, their decision does not require me to even dislike them, much less "man up" on a day their organization has set aside for a purpose in which I have no interest.

Development is a sticky wicket, Paige, and no one can point to "the solution." Anyone who says they have one is either yanking your chain, or a politician lying for votes. I thought I made it pretty clear, though, that builders are a vital part of any real attempt to do a better job at managing the county's growth. I also think they're more than willing to be a part of figuring out how to do a better job for Clay County. I do now and will continue to talk with them about various issues. I just don't want the group's political endorsement and won't waste their time interviewing for it.

I'm not sure what particular private e-mail response you're referring to. Off hand, though, I'd guess that I used private e-mail because it was my private, personal correspondence. Or because a private e-mail account is the only kind of e-mail account I have. Or because I'm not arrogant enough to assume that the public really cares about every thought I express to another private individual. But if you'd let me know exactly what you're referring to, I'll give you a specific answer. In public, too, if that's what you'd prefer.

Michael S. Mann

I personally as a voter see an endorsement buy a builders association to a candidate for a commission seat as a kiss of death. That has been the problem in this county for the past 35 years builders and developers have had certain commissioners on a puppet string. The BCC gave this county away to mega builders for an exchange of land for parks and a couple of schools. Big deal! They purchased the land in large tracks and when you break down the cost they paid by acre I am sure it ranged in the area of 20-25K an acre if that much. Now look at the mess we are left to deal with road construction, more schools needed, and the list goes on. Mike good for you. 

Last time I looked there was a whole lot more to being a "man" then attending a function thats sole purpose is for an organization to determine which candidate they want to endorse, not solve the woes of the county.  Again, their agenda is to select a candidate to endorse not look for solutions to ensure the county grows equally on all levels at the same time.  Although I am sure there are many of them out there concerned with this, lets face it, it's not their job to "fix it"

I don't believe there is any Grandstanding going on here, well at least by Mike.  When the site started Mike Mann came here just like the rest of us, he was not a candidate for public office.  Is he supposed to leave now? 

There are at the very least, a few thousand members to MCS. There are no doubt several thousand more who read but do not join.  The citizens of Clay County are what this forum is all about so why not continue to participate as a Candidate the same way you did when you were just a private citizen?

This is one of those times when some cannot see the forest for the trees.  We all complain that our elected Officials are purchased with contributions and endorsements from the "movers and shakers".  What starts out as an honest desire to serve gets left to the way side because of the run for the office.  Doing what is right becomes a cloudy issue because "getting elected" becomes the focus.  The corrupting notion that without lots of money and lots of endorsements you won't get there is part of the problem. 

The Citizens of District 3 are being given a choice between Professional or Career Politician and an individual who is just willing to serve.  Those people who believe that most of what we have in Office are puppets for special interest will be relieved to know they have a choice.  The first sign that one exists is Mike continuing to stay in the blogs, not dissapear because he's now a candidate.  The second sign is staying away from any endorsements and/or contributions of organizations that are connected to the issues we are currently facing. 

No matter what a person does there is always someone just waiting to criticize, there are people out there who spend their whole lives just trying to find fault anywhere and in anyone they can. 

I don't see this as Grandstanding at all.  What I see is a man who outlined what he would and would not do to get elected following his plan and speaking out in a forum he belonged to long before he threw his hat in the ring for Commissioner.  Personally I would like to see more candidates or elected Officials coming to the blogs to speak to the people. 

I still respectfully disagree.  You have stated "that builders are a vital part of any real attempt to do a better job at managing the county's growth. "  I think as a candidate and someone who will potentially representing this voting block you should hear what they have to say.  You have stated that you have talked with them privately, why not hear what they have to say as a group, you may be surprised by the different answers.

As far as development and the county, I am sure you have found from the planning commission, the county is constrained in by the law in limiting development.  Until recently (the past 10 years) the state has used a very heavy hand in determining the county's ability to limit development.  How will you fix this?  Continuing to point fingers to the past is not a solution.

 I guess what I would really like to hear/read (this leads me to Angela's comment about a private email) is publicly what is your solution. 

 At least you have 6 votes from bloggers on these pages, if they live in your district

Magnum, it really has nothing to do with the amount of political influence the builders' endorsement may or may not have this election cycle.  It would be the same for any PAC.  If there's one out there espousing something I firmly believe in, I still don't want their endorsement.  It's the principle.  Love the support of the individuals, but groups are just politics.

C'mon Marsha.  Though it has nothing to do with do with campaigning, even I'll admit there was at least a little grandstanding on my part.  I do get some enjoyment out of occasionally taking the MCS stage.  Same kind of kick I used to get out of writing for newspapers where, incidentally, I expressed similar opinions about the detrimental effect of endorsements and other aspects of politics on effective government decades before I ever thought about being a candidate for any kind of public office.

I guess I could have declined the invitation in private and never mentioned it to anyone, instead of announcing it.  Or maybe just opened up my personal e-mail account to everyone, as PBinCC suggested, and let everyone read my response to NEFBA on their own.  But I enjoy discussing things with my "blogging buddies."

Michael S. Mann

Paige, the Interview Day is not designed for NEFBA or its members to tell me how they feel or what they think.  It's a process designed to get to know the candidates, to hear their views in order to decide who the organization will endorse in the upcoming elections.  It is wholly inappropriate, given my position on endorsements, for me to participate in that particular process.

For you to assume that this particular decision in any way implies my disregard for the individual builders of Clay County or the organization is a mischaracterization of my position.

I don't really care about pointing fingers, except as examples of particular points I'd like to make.  Even then, it'll be the process I'm pointing fingers at, not the people.

I don't have all the answers to proper growth management, Paige.  Not now in the campaign, nor will I have them afterward if I'm sitting on the County Commission.  You want an answer to how I intend to "cure" the ills of the county's rampant and ill-planned growth?  OK.

Do as much research, ask as many questions as possible from people who know the answers or how to get them, think outside the box and explore possibilities, then use some common sense unburdened by the usual politics involved in government decision to make what I think is the best choice available for Clay County on each specific, individual issue that appears before the County Commission over the next four years.

I do have some specific ideas about Growth Management, and I'll announce them when I'm ready and in the forum I choose, but my "plan" as a County Commissioner is really not that difficult a concept to grasp.  Don't play politics and just do what I think is right at the time each issue is addressed.

Again, what e-mail and why do you think a private citizen who is a candidate for office should open his or her private correspondence to the public?

Michael S. Mann

Main Entry: 3grandstand
Function: intransitive verb
: to play or act so as to impress onlookers
- grand·stand·er noun

Ok Mike, I thought this was about your convictions and sharing them.  If you feel you meet the definition of grandstanding that is yours to claim.

I have had the opportunity to sit in some of these type of political interviews.  In most cases, the interviewers do want to hear your point of view.  They also want you to hear their point of view.  Everything is a process, sometimes you learn more from the process than the end result.

 The only email I was referring to is the one Angela mentioned where she stated you had something similar in an email.  I never said I wanted you to open all of your personal emails to the public.  I understand you have a campaign time line...I did not mean to interupt it.

Whipped out the dictionary on me, huh?  OK, grandstand is not the best word for me, because I'm not acting a part.  In fact, the reason I don't want any political group's endorsement is that I don't want to act like a politician just to get elected.

I really was just poking fun at myself for being a natural ham and occasionally enjoying the knowledge that I have an audience.  I've had various stages before, with audiences as small as a couple of dozen at a comedy club to nearly a quarter-million listeners on radio,  Rather than get nervous like many people, I actually have fun with it.  Must be a trait inherited from my radio-announcer father.

But whatever the stage, from a newspaper editorial to a blog contribution, from moderating debates between political candidates to talking sports over the airwaves, I've never played a role.  Never acted.  DeNiro I'm not.  It's always just me, talking about what I know or think or feel.

I'd choose the words to describe myself more judiciously now, Marsha, but then I'd just be another poltician.  I'd rather explain my bad jokes or ill-chosen words.

Michael S. Mann

Paige

Stop picking on Angela! I believe it was Sunflower that gave her opinion to Mike in a private email.

Yesterday Magnum Force stated I started a blog that I did not start. That I provided information that was not correct. THAT WAS NOT TRUE.

Now PBinCC states  (this leads me to Angela's comment about a private email). I did not mention any private emails in this blog. THAT IS NOT TRUE.

Please I am already a phantom on the blogs. Is it necessary that I be given credit for everyone else's work too.

Sorry Mike for jumping in your blog. Just needed to clear up a few details.

My comment in this blogs remains the same.

Mike I applaud your decision to stand by your personal convictions. Standing up for what you believe in and standing behind your decisions.

Thanks Pioneer!

If the e-mail to which you were referring, Paige, is actually the one from Sunflower, then I can give you the specific reason I haven't made it public.

It was private communication and none of your business.  Nor anyone else's business, or they would have been included as parties to the correspondence.  No reason to complicate it any more than that.

Michael S. Mann

Angela,

I apologize! No harm meant.

Accepted! :>

At best, politics is a pot shot...No matter what philosophical position a candidate may take on any issue on any given day, the electorate decides how well you chose. Your chances are 50-50, Mike.

A couple of science observations: Taking donations from active political donors does not necessarily mean a candidate is "beholden" once elected to office. I have seen decisions go against people called "special interests" in spite of the donation to a campaign. It happens. And there are plenty of occasions where an active donor contributes to a campaign and the candidate doesn't win. I don't perceive that as "wasted" money, either. It's simply financial support.

If a person is fiercely independent and comfortable in their own skin - as an elected official, he or she would have no issue accepting the money and making the right decisions during the elected term. The money is support for that strong candidate.

If a candidate does not have a core self-esteem, then I think the ability to influence with donations exists...but not because of who the donor is.

The same premise is true for me with the PAC interviews, Mike. If you've got nothing to hide or lose, what does it matter?

As a candidate, I attended a forum sponsored by the American Family Forum in 2006. This was not my group. It's not that I don't hold many of the same values as their members hold. I do. But the fact is, I'm a single parent and single parents are generally frowned upon in ultra conservative populations.

I'm OK with my single-parent status so I go and I talk about being a single parent and what that means to me. Not going was an option. But not a good one for me because, first, they are members of the community and I'm a candidate for public office. I want to learn their issues. I think that happens best face to face, not after the election takes place and you may be seated on the dias as a commissioner.

Secondly, while the idea of doing things differently is admirable, interviewing with a PAC is not the same as accepting an endorsement. You could interview and if the endorsement is offered, decline the money. I think the interview process is a healthy (and humbling) exercise in running for public office. It holds your feet to the fire and directs you to think about all the issues you'll be facing if elected.

What do you say to the T-U (or in our case MCS) editorial board when they call for candidate interviews prior to an election?

Just a few thoughts from the other side of the fence.

Karen Lake

I've been sending emails to Mike since I read one of his columns years ago in a local publication.  I apparently made a mistake when I mentioned sending him an email on this blog - it won't happen again (mention of an email).  Guess what??  I shall continue sending emails to anyone, anytime, whenever I get the urge to express an opinion that is not meant to prompt a blog discussion!

When Mike is a Commissioner, and I email him through the BCC, then it will be public record, and available to everyone.  In the meantime, this is much ado about nada.

Thanks,
JudyB 

The term has a negative connotation to it in it's definition.  The problem with trying too hard to not act like a politician is that some can view that as an act as well.  As a Journalist being judicious about your choice of words is second nature is it not?  Those who look for reasons to call you that dirty word "politician" will find them either way regardless of what you do.  That is why.....

"This above all else to thine own self be true"

Karen, this'll have to be one of the many issues in local government and political theory on which we'll just have to disagree.

I'm fully aware that some of the decisions I make while campaigning for County Commissioner are definitely not lifted from the guidelines of "The Science of Winning Elections."  I've explained my position on competing for PAC endorsements.  That's not a campaign strategy, it's a personal belief I won't change just because it might improve my chances of winning an election.

And I agree that special interest money does not necessarily guarantee an elected official has been purchased and will automatically bow to the wishes of the campaign contributor.  Of course, without that special interest financial aide, then there's no possibility of that happening.  That's the position I've chosen to maintain.

By the way, if the T-U or MCS wants to hold candidate interviews, I'm all for it.  Happy to talk with them or other groups interested in the District 3 election this year.  But if, like the NEFBA, the interviews are just part of an endorsement process, I'll be declining to participate in it, too.

Last time I checked, I had been outraised $36K by one opponent to my $1,000.  Plus, there's a third candidate in the race.  And you think I've got a 50-50 shot?  Well, I must not be doing everything wrong.

Michael S. Mann

Mike

My reference to a 50-50 shot was related to the decisions you make as a candidate not your chances of winning the race. For example, your decision to stay away from PAC interviews has a 50-50 chance at being successful. It'll either work for you or it won't. Hindsight isn't perfect vision. When it's over, you'll still second guess some of your choices and their consequences.

/K