In many ways, Ed Ford's campaign for re-election is representative of all the incumbents currently facing angry voters this year.
2nd District At-Large City Councilman Ed Ford was part of the local governing body that was constantly maligned by Mayor Funkhouser and local Conservatives but still essential in winning the victories touted by any political faction.
Undoubtedly, Councilman Ford took part in some controversial votes during the past four years. It was his vote against the hostile MAST Takeover by the Kansas City Fire Department that cost him support from Local 42 as that Union group has now endorsed Republican Allen Dillingham.
WITHOUT A DOUBT COUNCIL DUDE ED FORD FINDS HIMSELF IN KANSAS CITY'S MOST COMPETITIVE CITY COUNCIL RACE!!!
He seems concerned but not overly worried. The hard knocks the Democrats took in November caused him some concern but don't weigh on his mind that much.
It's worth nothing that outgoing Council Lady Beth Gottstein won her race with only support from two Districts and that could be the formula for an Ford victory.
Again, Ford seems confident and it's worth noting that this is the one City Council race that could see fireworks before it's all over. Ed Ford remarks, "The voters of Kansas City simply need to ask themselves if they need one more Council vote from Louie Wright and Local 42."
I asked twice for permission to use that quote because I didn't believe Council Dude Ford was going to make it so plain and speak directly against one of this town's most powerful special interest groups.
This is an interesting race exactly because a Democrat Union Group is supporting the Republican while the staunchly Northland Democrat Ed Ford seems to have greater traction South of the River and especially on Kansas City's Eastside.
My only (stupid) contribution to this race is constantly noting that Dillingham's campaign comes courtesy of his Daddy's money.
In the final analysis, this City Council race will help determine a lot in Kansas City Politics. We'll see if Union Votes cross over to support the GOP, if Kansas City progressives can out vote more entrenched Democrat interests AND just exactly how much anger this town holds toward incumbents who voted rather conservatively when it comes to the hostile government takeover of a public-private partnership.
A City Council race with so many contradictions could only happen in Kansas City.
As far as Councilman Ed Ford is concerned he says, "I am proud of what I accomplished and I stand behind all of my votes."
Meanwhile the rest of Kansas City waits to see where local Democrats will stand.
Developing . . .
Does that mean Ed Ford is asking Republicans not to vote for him? Since this is non partisan and he seems to keep injecting the partisan angle, I was wondering if that is his preference?
ReplyDeleteClean sweep NO incumbents.
ReplyDeleteVOTE NO incumbents
Unfortunately, incompetence and insider dealing are bi-partisan activities. But in the absence of having anything to say about municipal public policy, I guess harping on partisan politics is all both you and Ford have to talk about.
ReplyDeleteThis election is shaping up to be about the same personalities, egos, special groups, and name-calling that we've seen many times before.
Can't be surprised if the results are the same.
Ford was a Wayne Cauthen supporter who broke up the Public Works Department and lost many snow plow drivers. Don't like the way the streets look? Blame Ed Ford.
ReplyDeleteWhat are their ideas on all the crime in Kansas City?
ReplyDeleteFord stood against Funky on the big votes, so he deserves to win.
ReplyDeleteFord has been one of the most disruptive and divisive councilpeople. If re- elected he would serve SIXTEEN years on the council. Too long fir someone who has trouble getting along with others. His embarrassing stance on Cauthen (twice!) and the way he has tried to humiliate Troy Schulte numerous times is unforgivable. Even one if his supporters said publicly he thought Ford had learned his lesson about starting fights at the council... Hardly a ringing endorsement.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't support a "throw the incumbents" out mentality, Ford does not deserve another term, nor is he owed one, as he likes to say at forums.
Dillingham is a Louie Wright puppet with a head filled with saw dust. As such he has the support of the old Pendergast Era harlot known as "Dutch" Newman. Louie wants the key to the City Treasury and Dutch wants the ability ot awaard and pull liquour licenses.
ReplyDeleteIf Ford had voted with Louie and Funkhouser -- he would not have an opponent.
Ford gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteIf Allen does have Dutch's support, I hope that Young Mr. Dillingham is not forced to "do" one or more of the Dutch's Dirty Daughters as a price for political support like so many candidates before him. That old spider Michelle is usually first to claim the attention of a young one.
ReplyDeleteAt least Ed Ford will stand for something.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen nor heard from Dillingham.
Gosh Deb. Trying to hide as 8:04. Just come out and say you hate anyone who supported Cauthen. That's why you convinced Baby Dillingham to run against Ed Ford. All that anger, tsk, tsk. And you want to be Mayor. I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteEd Ford has given a lot of pro bono time behind the scenes, sight unseen, to neighborhood causes.
ReplyDeleteHe's not afraid to stand up for what's right (as opposed to WHO'S right.)
Although I don't agree with him on everything, Ed Ford will get the vote from my downtown neighborhood.
I've never seen or heard of any civic commitment or public service from Allen Dillingham.
ReplyDeleteWhat's he done?
Dillingham is part of the Roe ticket that includes Funky and lil Annie Presley.
ReplyDeleteHow many of you bloggers ever watch Ed Ford in a City Council session? I have, and I don't know any of them, but Ed Ford comes across as the most intelligent of the bunch. He DOES deserve another term - esp. for having the stones to call out Local 42.
ReplyDeleteFuck the leaders of Local 42. Firefighters are OK. It is the leaders that think this town is their personal fiefdom.
ReplyDeleteGo Eddie!
Deli-ham says he has "always been taught not to sit on the sideline, but to get into the game and make a difference."
ReplyDeleteBut he does not list ONE SINGLE community or public service activity that he is involved with on his website.
So before he decided to run for Council, just exactly how did Deli-ham apply the lesson handed down to him from 7 generations of Kansas Citians?
Ed Ford has more integrity than anyone I know. He is honest, fair and intelligent. If there were more in public service like him we would be much better off! We're with you Ed!
ReplyDeleteWe're with you too, Ed!
ReplyDeleteSigned,
The Committee to Re-Elect Twelve Year Incumbents Who do Nothing but Throw Tantrums about the Mayor and His Mean Wife
People who oppose wrong doing do not always get along with their coworkers. I admire Ed for not backing down from any situation in which he became passionate or argued vehemently. He stood up for the citizens and taxpayers of Kansas City and he stood up for the employees of the excellent ambulance service, MAST. I have been to many city council meetings and have seen him argue passionately for other issues that were less than 'transparent', as so many politicians like to say.
ReplyDeleteI understand the anti incumbent sentiment. It is flawed, however, if you throw 12 NEW people in who do not understand the power of the big businesses and labor unions and could be easily swayed by the opportunities offered by them. Ed understand, Ed stands up to them. Vote for ED FORD!
Thank you Ed for everything good you have done for Kansas City.
Good for you Lesa, I think that is the first signed and intelligent comment in this blog's history.
ReplyDeleteExcept for Lesa is also with a special interest group(MAST) - so it's really no different than anyone else - "I'll vote for you if you do what I want."
ReplyDeleteWow, so much information that could be cleared up with a little fact checking. Look at Dillinham's campaign disclosures. His father's money is hardly buying the race. Allen has raised twice the money of Ford, and has Nutter's support too. Allen has been involved in public service a long time. Look at his employment record. Dillingham is no friend of Louie Wright. Take the time to read his positions to find out.
ReplyDeleteWhile looking at records, check out Ed Ford's. His fighting with Funk the the getting the 'girls' on the council to side with him on votes was divisive the first three years of his recent term. He was continually fighting with the mayor and even his Northland counterparts on issues, even those in the Northland. He voted against jobs at Honeywell.
While his position on the MAST pension is correct and admirable, his career in totality, especially the last four years, is not. Throw out the incumbents is not productive. Choose the best person from each race. In this case, it's Allen Dillingham.
12:35
ReplyDeleteSo where is his employment record? Not on his website.
So where is the information about his public involvement? Not on his website.
I find it curious that the primary tool that most people use to find more information about a candidate does not have this information.
Even more so when the candidate's own website says how important community service is.
Only work experience I could find was for the last 5 years on Midwest Democracy Project.
ReplyDelete2007 - Current
Government Relations Director, The Builders Association/ Kansas City Chapter
2005-2007
Department Director, State of Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards
Hardly a glowing record of either accomplishment or public service for a 40 year old.
ARE YOU DAFT???
ReplyDeletePLEASE DO look at the entries on the campaign disclosure.
You think he made these connections through his own enterprise and hard work?
I don't. These are FAMILY CONNECTIONS.
Limited work history (except as a political appointee and a lobbyist).
ReplyDeleteNo public service.
What's this guy done that's HIS?
Best way to decide who should be elected is to hand a snow shovel and a contractor's phone number to every candidate, have them shovel the side streets, and whoever does the best, WINS!
ReplyDeleteMy streets are dry, have been since Wednesday afternoon. I notice many KC streets have been kinda sorta bladed by they were arleady snowpacked so theyre not dry, they're just covered with tamped down snow.
Good thing out of city workers don't vote on the eTAX, for they surely will think their one percent isn't doing anything for THEM, other than making sure the office toilets flush.
As to Local 42... lets make em do some work for a change. Put PLOWS on the FIRE TRUCKS so instead of staying cozy, they earn their keep.
It's a little odd that Ed Ford is against (correctly) the MAST pensions going into the City employee pensions. But then explain why he is committed (his own word) to the downtown hotel project that the City can't afford? It's a good bet that it is tied to Ed's support from the Heavies. Would you like that bunch, with the charming Ed Desoigne and the gracious Bridgette Williams (both of whom live in JcCo) calling the shots? Because that's what a vote for Ed will mean.
ReplyDeleteNot sure of where this vote falls, but let's be fair and look at both candidates, warts and all.
1:21, please expand on how family connections are more onerous than cronyism and political paybacks?
ReplyDelete2:06
ReplyDeleteThe question was "is Allen trading on Daddy's money"?
The question was not about "which is more onerous"?
So tell me, 2:06, which is more onerous: cronyism and political paybacks unearned and derived from family connections or cronyism and political payback derived from personal accomplishment and history of public service?
Both are bad. But to say Dillingham's family is wrong to donate to him is unfair. Burke is pouring money into his campaign and no one bats an eye. If Ford were putting in his own money or family, would you really care?
ReplyDeleteAnd it's very disingenuous of Ford to try to besmirch Dillingham with his crack about Local 42 when Ford has taken money from the Heavies and from companies that do construction gigs with the city. How much " personal accomplishment" is involved by taking contributions from companies you have helped feed?
Ford is his own man and you have to respect that.. Or maybe you don't. Either way, he's been one of the few responsible public servants of late.
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight according to Ford...a vote for a Republican is a vote for the unions. He really does think KCMO voters are idiots doesn't he? The bad thing is he is probably right. Let's be honest, most of the voters are like Tony and will not consider voting for anthing that doesn't have a "D" behind their name regardless of candidate. Those same people also fail to recognize how that thought process has given us the less than stellar representatives we have today.
ReplyDeleteTrading on a family name?! That's outrageous!!! That's like your mom is running for city council for the 4th district at large and you start a blog to trash her opponents and...
ReplyDeleteuh.... sorry, Tony... More boobs, please?
I don't call incessant fighting with the mayor and other council members being your own man. I call it being hard headed and not playing well with others. Probably eats paste and runs with scissors, too.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the lead paint chips.
ReplyDeleteSweet... tasty...
Well the Heavies just endorsed Ford and no surprise. He carried Cauthen and CIMO's water, he supports a huge hotel downtown that will saddle the city with enormous debt, and he panders to their special interests. Then there is the Gray/Glorioso connection to the Heavies and Ford. So much for Ed being his own man. He's owned by Ed DeSoignie and crew.
ReplyDelete3:48 HAS BEEN READING THIS BLOG FOR FOUR YEARS. YOU FAIL AT LIFE.
ReplyDeleteRanking Kansas City Mayoral Candidates Based on the Quality of their Campaign Sites
ReplyDeletehttp://kcrag.com/?p=198
2/4/11 6:28 AM
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Clean sweep NO incumbents.
VOTE NO incumbents