Here’s a suggestion for local candidates – especially incumbents: Try a lot harder to make prominent political forums. The prospects for good government – if that is not to become an oxymoron – demand no less.
Tampa’s Tiger Bay Club is a prime example. Its candidate forums – from school board to governor — are often televised and typically covered by print media. It’s an opportunity to put a candidacy – or incumbency – on display to political junkies and, via the media, to the public at large.
Unfortunately, in an era of base-pandering campaigns and image-enhancing strategies, it’s considered an unnecessary risk by some candidates.
If John McCain can speak to – and take questions from – the NAACP and Barack Obama can engage American Legionnaires, then District 6 County Commissioner Brian Blair — who is running countywide — can answer a few adversarial questions at Tiger Bay.
OK, it’s not his crowd, by and large. So what? Is a script always necessary?
One of the most important – and perplexing – issues in a county commission race today is the relationship between the county and the city. On balance, this one’s dysfunctional.
There are political and ideological divides, geographic and economic differences. Rural and urban stereotypes are unflattering and counterproductive. It’s enough to obscure that we do have more in common than in conflict.
If ever there were a time to eschew ugly, partisan politics as usual, it is now. It ever there were a time for a candidate to make his case across the entire county, it is now – during Hillsborough’s growth crucible.
If ever there was a time to show up where they don’t love you, it’s now.
“No guts, no glory, no re-election” should be the refrain.