Know this . . . MO State Rep. Jason Kander has the most coveted e-mail list in all of Kansas City politics. Over the weekend he sent out the following e-mail blast supporting Sly James in the Kansas City Mayoral Primary. I was impressed by the digital mailer because it not only noted plans to go door knocking in this hideous weather but also revealed a deep personal admiration for Sly James.
Please consider Sly James for Mayor
Dear Friends:
With the Mayoral primary approaching quickly (February 22nd), you’re likely beginning to look more closely at the candidates. This afternoon, I’ll be “walking and knocking” in our district with my friend Sly James. Since we won’t be able to personally get to every voter’s door, I’d like to take a moment to share with you my knowledge of Sly.
I have known Sly for years and I can say without reservation that he is one of the best people I know. No caveat. No category. Just one of the flat-out-best people I know.
I admit my bias stems from a profound personal respect for the man. I know that he’s more than just another name on a ballot. He’s Marine MP (once a Marine, always a Marine). He’s a small business owner. He’s a leader in the legal and non-profit community, and he’s a professional mediator. I believe that the collective breadth and depth of these experiences will serve Kansas City well when Sly is Mayor.
But Sly is more than a resume. He has made an incredible, positive difference in the lives of countless Kansas Citians over the past few decades, and he has done it out of instinct and passion. All across Kansas City, people have stories of Sly’s mentorship and help. One-on-one, person by person, our friends and neighbors have stories of Sly’s selfless acts to improve their lives without asking for anything in return.
Until recently, Sly has never sought a public office. He has done good works not for public recognition, but because they are an extension of his very person. He cares about bringing people together and improving his community.
Sly James is a natural leader, a good man, and a doer. Like any other Kansas Citian, that’s what I want in my Mayor.
I am inspired by Sly’s vision of a single Kansas City where historical markers like Troost or geographic ones like the river bring our community together instead of driving it apart. I believe that among our Mayoral candidates Sly is uniquely positioned to unify our city and get results for all of us – north, south, east, and west.
We are blessed with several good candidates for Mayor and you have a difficult choice ahead of you. I ask only that you’ll give Sly James every consideration. If you do, I believe you’ll see him as I do.
To learn more, I encourage you to visit SlyJamesForMayor.com.
As always, thank you for your support and for all you do to improve our community.
Sincerely,
Jason
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Please keep fluffing Rep. Kander. It only makes him think he is a deep and effective player in Kansas City politics. In reality he only represents a State Representative District and is one of 57 Democrats in a House with 106 Republicans.
ReplyDeleteKander's wife WORKS FOR SLY JAMES' CAMPAIGN. Why are you not reporting this Tony? More importantly, why isn't Mr. Ethics "I'm a war hero" Kander disclosing this?
ReplyDeleteJames has class.
ReplyDeleteAnd Kander has none.
ReplyDeleteI think Sly has the leadership skills we need and is very likable and personable. But he lacks the knowledge of the internal workings of City Hall (just like Funky).
ReplyDeleteThat means he'll either have to rely on others (READ: LACKEYS) to tell him what should be done or we'll have another learning curve a la the Co-Mayors.
KC needs someone who can hit the ground running. And I don't think Sly can do it.
The LAST person we should consider voting for is someone who knows how this city hall "works". It reminds me of the great scene in the movie "The Sting"; we already know how to get drunk!
ReplyDeleteWhat you need is an outsider like Mr. James with some moral courage, leadership skills, even-handed personality, and the ability to tell the same old crowd that the public's business is going to come first at 12th and Oak for the first time in a very long time.
Funk isn't a disaster because he's an outsider. It's because he's a clueless outsider with no leadership skills, can't get along with anyone, thinks only his ideas are worth considering, talks down to everyone, and allows his wife to be an unbelieveably disruptive and costly influence in the mayor's office.
Mr.James is none of those things.
10:49- Way to go Josh Lyman wannbe.
ReplyDelete10:49- Way to go Josh Lyman wannbe.
ReplyDeleteHey 7:54 AM, show me anything that proves Kander's wife "works" for Sly? I just looked over his finacial statements and don't see her anywhere. By work, do you mean volunteers? Big difference.
ReplyDeleteDiana Kander doesn't even work for political candidates anymore. Good idea or bad, I think Jason's endorsement is sincere.
ReplyDeleteWho's Josh Lyman?
ReplyDeleteDepends. Will Sly say the city is not hiring enough blacks to high management positions and get more discrimination lawsuits? I'm betting yes.
ReplyDeleteDiana Kander isn't being paid by the James campaign (so far as I know), but she's definitely been the force behind it since day one. That doesn't mean that Jason can't endorse the guy, or that his endorsement isn't sincere. But it does mean that this is not "news," even by the standards of this blog.
ReplyDeleteSly come across very well. I think he looks like he is up for the job.
ReplyDelete12:18PM. You think everything shows up in an MEC Report? You're dumber than you sound. You also sound like a self-promoting attorney spouting technicalities. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteLet's say you're technically correct and Diana doesn't work for Sly (like Gloria doesn't work for Funk). If she's active in Sly's campaign in any way than Jason needs to disclose that or better yet not get involved at all. It's called a conflict of interest.
There should be an in-kind donation disclosed.
ReplyDelete