It was not one of democracy’s finest hours. Not the sort of democratic dynamic we like to lecture other countries about, that’s for sure.
More than 200 supporters turned out at the Columbia Restaurant recently for a fundraiser for incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White. THAT Kevin White. Of tapping-into-campaign-funds-to-buy-stylish-threads fame. Of being-on-the-losing-end-of-a-sleazy-sexual-harassment-suit renown. Of forcing-taxpayers-to-ante-up-for-resultant- court-judgments repute. Of turning-arrogance-into-an-understatement distinction.
Notably, the Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times and several TV stations covered it. Normally, that’s an impressive sign of name-recognition acknowledgement and success. Media coverage and free press are the coin of the political realm.
But, then, they also cover high-profile fires, deadly auto accidents and the latest after-hours crime scene at Club Mirage.
They covered the White fundraiser because, even in these times of consummate cynicism over the political process and curtailed budgets, supporters of White pique media interest. As in: “And you still want this guy to be re-elected?” As in: “And you’re willing to fork over your own money to advance this scruples-challenged career?”
One explanation may be the rationale that USF political science professor Susan MacManus pointed out the other day to the Tampa Tribune. “Historically, minority communities rally around minority candidates when it looks like those candidates are under attack,” she explained.
If that principle’s in play here, then the politics of race just absorbed another black eye.