There is no question about it . . . Kansas City Mayoral Candidate Mike Burke is gaining momentum.
With the help of AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS we had a great discussion about last night's completion of the Citizens Association Endorsement process before any other news outlet in Kansas City.
The Dead Tree Media picked up the story later on . . . It's in today's paper as well.
But more importantly, what we've seen is that Burke is running a professional organization with a real understanding of how the endorsement process works in Kansas City.
By contrast, Henry Klein is an outsider and doesn't really mind that . . .
Jim Rowland had a cold during the CA meetings and wasn't at full speed but still made a lot of progress.
Deb Hermann might be too tied in to her "Northland Mob" to register much support on the other side of the river when it comes to actual endorsements.Still her public speaking prowess and makeover really has improved her chances and it's hard not to like her odds as the only female in the race . . . She's still running a close second.
And Sly James isn't doing bad by simply making a good showing at these events despite the fact that they are ruled by people with decades of Kansas City political experience and connections with ELECTED officials.
Still . . . It's important to understand how this town votes:
KANSAS CITY IS NOT A DEMOCRACY!!! THIS TOWN IS NOTHING MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS DELIVERING VOTES TO THEIR FAVORITES!!!
Given this fact of life, the endorsement process is more crucial than ANYONE would care to admit. Low voter turnout, a disengaged public and a lack of any new or exciting alternative voter movements have kept the status quo intact since the 50's.
More than anybody else, Mike Burke knows how to maneuver within the context of Kansas City's political reality. Through the forum and debate process, only Mayoral candidates who mimic and/or best him at the game plan he's put into motion will be able to compete.
Still early in this race, Mike Burke's political savvy and decades of connections have moved him ahead of the competition . . . For now.
Citizens did Funk a favor by creating a new narrative for his campaign. He may now squeeze by Burke in the primary...maybe. Sly will make it to the primary. Minorities can be very stimulated now after the federal mid term disaster.
ReplyDeleteAh. Todays obligatory TKC Mayorial analysis.
ReplyDeleteNow can we get on to more interesting stuff?
I have to wonder whether Jeff Roe is orchestrating some of the most vile comments on here in order to get the sane candidates fighting with each other, which leaves a lane to victory for Funk and Gloria.
ReplyDeleteBurke moves to the front and the developers have a toast over their steak dinners!
ReplyDeleteThe point is, there are several good candidates, all superior to Funkhouser and his weird wife.
ReplyDeleteAfter the debacle with Gloria Squitiro, I think it's going to be mandatory to know about a candidates spouse before we endorse them.
ReplyDeleteIf Burke can explain the $5 million he personally made from the Port Authority and all of his failed projects (Renaissance North, 80th and N. Brighton, Armour Apartments, etc.)that are still costing taxpayers lots of money each year, he may make it. He has lived large his entire life on public dollars.
ReplyDelete10:08 is a liar. Mike didn't make $5 million personally. Those dollars went to the King Hershey lawfirm. Mike earned a minimal amount. Mike is a highly respected attorney that could have made a lot more money. What about all of the years he volunteered on PIAC? Mike Burke is the best candidate.
ReplyDelete10:15 - thank you for the confirmation that $5 mill has been sucked from City residents to MIKE'S LAW FIRM! Who do you think profits from him being the front man in the firm getting those contracts...the secretary? Mike Burke is volunteering to keep his foot firmly in the door. He's what is wrong with this City!
ReplyDeleteand the other option is Mark Funkhouser? No way. I will much rather vote for somebody I know than somebody who has no clue how to navigate the political process.
ReplyDeleteDeb Herman all the way. Burke has zero personality, like our current mayor.
ReplyDeleteAs chair of PIAC, Mike moved public dollars to his development projects. He also moved dollars from neighborhood projects for Kay Barnes ritsy projects.
ReplyDeleteBurke is the wolf volunteering to guard the chicken coop!
ReplyDeleteBurke is proof positive that if you live long enough you get to rewrite history.
ReplyDeleteHe has NEVER run for public office. He was a political appointment to complete Ed Quick's term when he was elected to the MO Senate. Burke sold his soul for that appointment. Burke could not get support to run for his own term because of his poor performance and personal problems. He served only two years and left pretty embarrassed.
As Burke critizes the current condition of City Hall and basic services, remember, he was a HUGE supporter of Cauthen. Cauthen is responsible for the problems.
Deb Hermann's campaign is based on Funkhouser's 07 run.
ReplyDeleteDeb Hermann has no vision for Kansas City.
There is no reason she should be number #2 Tony. She doesn't come close.
11:01 -you're right - she doesn't come close to #2 - she's easily #1!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Herman is definitely the front runner AND most qualified.
ReplyDeleteWhen will Burke disclose how many Millions Rennaisance North has cost KC taxpayer? Don't give this guy a pass on his years at the trough!
ReplyDeleteOf course, Mike supported Wayne Cauthen. Wayne was an excellent city manager. Wayne got more done in six years than the last six managers had in all their terms collectively. Wayne is also supporting Mike and Mike is proud to have it.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Mike supported Wayne Cauthen. Wayne was an excellent city manager. Wayne got more done in six years than the last six managers had in all their terms collectively. Wayne is also supporting Mike and Mike is proud to have it.
ReplyDeleteKnowing how to navigate the political process of KCMO is not exactly leadership. In fact, quite the contrary! Picking and choosing the most lucrative butts to kiss is exactly what has gotten this city to the point at which it finds itself.
ReplyDeleteWhat policies or ideas has Burke proposed? What is he going to do about violence and murders if he's elected?
Suddenly becoming TKC's front runner because he got the fixed endorsement of a sclerotic bunch of self-appointed do-gooders at the Citizens'Association is a joke!
Since, apparently, there are no pollsters in Kansas City, no one has any idea who the front runner is. Maybe, that's a good thing.
ReplyDeletefor crying out loud -- Burke only carried the endorsement by one vote. Cheryl Bisbee has destroyed Citizens by playing both sides. I have known Cheryl for years and this is a real pattern for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna stick with Deb. If Mike is truly proud to have Wayne's Cauthen's support why did he say Schulte should be made permanent at CA? Also, I didn't remember Mike ever winning an election. Thanks for the confirmation. I don't think Hermann is a shoo-in, but Mike isn't going to be her competition in my opinion. I would put both Funkhouser and James ahead of Burke as challengers to Deb.
ReplyDelete6:14 here again: Any of you brainacs know the answer to this one? Has anyone ever won a mayoral race in Kansas City as their first campaign effort? Just curious and unmotivated to research for myself. This blog seems to have enough politicos reading it that someone might know who did right off the top of their head.
ReplyDelete6:17 Funkhouser did it his first run. Barnes had won several races, so had Cleaver and Wheeler. I think Berkley had too, but not as sure.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet my dinner there are polls out there. Just no one likes what they are seeing enough to release them. Bet that means the favorite whipping boy is in the lead.
ReplyDelete6:17, Thanks for your response. I forgot all about Funk! Okay, now I am more certain about supporting Hermann! If I am not mistaken, she got more votes than anyone else last election. (Granted she was unopposed, but she wasn't the only one. And she still got more votes.)
ReplyDeleteBurke's name I'd up north is barely double digits. Those that know him can't stand him because we remember Renaissance Norh, among his other lies. Hermann's is the true front runner. And she will win.
ReplyDelete