Stan Aten Analysis
Casie Pierce
                             

05/12/03   Election Results are not the Mayor's Fault!>

If Laura Miller's endorsement hurt, how come she did so much better in District 6 than me?  Her endorsement may not have got me elected, but it certainly was helpful.  My supporters may not have got off the rears and gone to vote, but most of them were big Laura Miller fans.  I am, too.

Here's how the precincts went in District 2.   A few precincts were split with other districts, so those numbers are a little skewed.  The important thing here is that Steve Salazar is a smart guy, and he can also count and see that many more people voted for the Mayor than for either of us in District 6.  He's the person more District 6 voters wanted to represent them, and Laura Miller's who wanted for Mayor.  They will work together just fine.

Since I don't have the break down of mail-in votes vs. walk in votes, it does look like a couple of precincts must have seen a bunch of harvesters to have turned out those numbers in Arcadia Park and Oak Cliff for Poss.   When you consider that I did not win a single precinct that Mayor Miller did not win, you have to assume that she helped me more than hurt me.

Laura Miller is one of the gutsiest women I have ever known.  She just goes with her heart.  She wants to make this city better and wanted some friends on the council who were as focused on a tighter ethics and reporting code.  She wanted some allies who would realize it is time for a new City Manager and Police Chief.

What is wrong with us that everyone thinks we should all be "playing it safe" and "making nice"?  There may be some who do not want to incur the wrath of The Dallas Managed News or that gossip rag, D Magazine, but it's worth the risk.  

Of the three who were endorsed by Mayor Miller, Mark Housewright may have had some backlash.  That endorsement galvanized Ed Oakley's team, who were already working like crazy.  Ed has made some very bad votes, and I was very unhappy with how he allocated the $4 million "discretionary" funds in the Bond Package that should have been to the new District 6, but he is a great campaigner.  When we ran against Craig McDaniel (a hundred or so years ago), Ed did not make the runoff.  Now, he has won important elections in 2 different districts.  Pretty impressive, regardless of how who you backed in either election.

There is no way Laura's endorsement hurt me.  I might have had even fewer voters get to the polls without her help.  She knew it was an uphill fight for me in a district with a 77% Hispanic population, but she took a chance.  Steve Salazar may have a grudge against the Mayor, but what about him and Dr. Elba Garcia on the same council?  That was the first time an incumbent councilman has been unseated since Lord Lori Palmer defeated Paul Fielding in the early 80's, at least 20 years ago.  Like Ed Oakley, Paul moved out of Oak Lawn and ran again in District 11 and was elected over the very popular Barry Barker (now deceased). 

It's unlikely Steve or Ed are going to be "after" the Mayor.  She's too popular in their districts.   She won 17 precincts in District 6, and Poss won 7.  Voters in Districts 3 and 6 will expect their councilmen to work with Mayor Miller.

There is so much work to do in this town, and I am not all sure anymore that it can be done.  It's for sure things would not get better had Laura Miller not been re-elected.

Here's what happened Saturday, May 3rd -- people did not vote.  That's all there is to it.  Steve Salazar and Ed Oakley got their people to the polls, and Mark Housewright and I did not.    

No one talks about the Mary Poss endorsements.  She endorsed Steve Salazar (what a long shot) and Gary Griffith.  Poss did not even win her home precinct.  Her endorsement may have hurt Gary Griffith.

Doesn't matter.  If you think one candidate is better than the other, you ought to pick your candidate, endorse him or her and work to get that person elected, whether you are the Mayor or a private citizen.

Playing it safe may be easier, but doesn't make it right.

Laura could have played it safe and stayed above the fray, but she took a stand.  If anyone was hurt by her endorsements, it would have been Laura Miller.   She knew that going in, but she did what she thought was right.

It's going to be a better council no matter what.  Bill Blaydes is so much stronger than Alan Walne.  He may not agree with the Mayor on every issue, but he will tell you what he's going to do, tell you why he's going to do it -- and then do it.  Much more decisive than Alan Walne.  He is just what we need.  I wish Greg Holliday had been running in a different district.

Looks like Lois Finkelman has selected Linda Koop as her heir apparent.  Of course, Linda will have to "move in the district to run".  Wonder what the DMN will say about that?  Then there's all of Linda's experience on city boards and commissions (currently DART).  Will the DMN think she's "too much of an insider"?

Another good thing about this council -- no more rivalry between Oakley and Housewright.  That was painful to watch.

The best thing about this council -- no Mary Poss and hopefully no Gary Griffith.  He will not be as much of a problem as Mpossible, but he would try to sabotage the Mayor at every opportunity.  He just needs to stay in Republican politics -- say as the County Chair -- and leave City Hall to the very smart and capable ROXAN STAFF.

For those of you inquiring about me -- I'm still tired, but spent the weekend playing with my dogs, cleaning house and digging in my yard.  Doesn't get any better than than.

Stan Aten has two interesting observations on the election results and what Mayor Miller should do or not do about it.

It's a good day in Dallas with Laura Miller elected Mayor for 4 years.