Click here to see Heather Knight’s report on what it’s like to be on the trail with mayoral candidate Joanna Rees.
I don’t know, this campaign stands out as the biggest ego trip out of all the dozen or so “serious” candidates.
I say that for two reasons.
1. We’re paying for it. Hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of our money goes to her campaign, which then goes into people carrying her name all over town. I think Joanna likes having her name all over town whether or not she has a chance of winning this race. Of course other candidates are getting a piece of the millions being given out this cycle as well, but Joanna is the standout. Did she have to fill out a form or something to claim that she needs the money? (Isn’t that what campaign financing should be all about? I mean, if you commit a crime, the govt. will provide you with a public defender for free, if necessary, but you at least have to claim that you need the help. What the govt. doesn’t do is say, “Oh, you’re a millionaire, but no matter, go out there and hire any lawyer in the world to defend you and then we’ll pick up the bill.”) Based upon what I’ve seen, without public financing she wouldn’t be running. But prove me wrong, Joanna, by giving back our money.
2. Our money isn’t being spent effectively - now that’s the other thing. Those Rees’es Pieces, those kids who are all over the place. What do they make, minimum wage? Sure seems that way. Let’s take a look, below.
“All right, strike a pose to ensure you’re ignored for the entire AM drive, log into FaceBook (or I guess these days it’s Google Plus) and ACTION.”
“OK, that’s a rap, go see payroll.”
“Now, I want you to distribute these fliers in the Western A. But don’t just leave one leaflet as a piece of garbage on the ground – no no, leave five at a time, that way you’ll quintuple your productivity. Hurray!”
And be sure to show up to the mayoral forum two hours early, you know, to get the word out:
Now, let’s hear from JR herself:
“‘I’m not a Meg Whitman - in no way,’ Rees said flatly…”
That’s right: Meg had a more effective campaign because she was spending her own money.
Plus, Meg had a chance of winning.
So let’s look forward to hearing from more college kids getting paid (all, most, some – how much per hour, I don’t know) to hold up signs (and not just one, get an extra long stick and then staple an extra four JOANNA! signs down the shaft) to stand outside of forums and think of ways to amuse themselves.
Sometimes, you run for office not to win but just to “get your name out there.” Well, Mission Accomplished, perhaps over budget (mostly our budget) but ahead of schedule. I got it – high functioning, go-getter alpha female with very good genes, but what else do you have? You gotta give the people something. What, you’re “not an insider?” Well, you’re going to need to do more than that, is all I’m saying.
Where JR’s path will lead to down the road in 2012 and beyond, I know not.
Oh well.
