THE TKC SATURDAY NIGHT PLAYLIST!!! KANSAS CITY MAYORAL CANDIDATE SLY JAMES WILL MAKE IT PAST THE PRIMARY!!!
TKC research is scientific.
First thing I do is ignore most of the polls and EVERYONE associated with a political campaign.
And then I talk to people who vote but don't really care about politics i.e. most people.
During my many adventures in Kansas City I've heard so much gossip about politicos and their proclivities and to date I've never heard anyone say anything bad about former Marine Sly James.
Mayor Funkhouser is the first person to go negative on the subject of Sly and while other folks have been jealous of his campaign war chest, nobody has attacked his career as a lawyer and the respect he has earned from just about everybody with whom he has worked.
It may not be fair but more than anybody else (even people in politics) admit that Sly James is exceptionally friendly and charismatic. Personality goes a long way in a campaign where the incumbent Mayor is simply lying about his record. So far, nobody else has dared to question the character of Sly James. His reputation as a businessman, lawyer and member of this community is impeccable.
Again, what' s most important:
Everyone who meets Sly James seems to like him.
TIF concerns, the budget, infrastructure and debt management are all subject for debate among insiders but I notice that most people on a gut level just don't want to repeat the same level of contentiousness, infighting and embarrassment that marked the Funkhouser Administration.
So, with likability and an impeccable public perception about integrity on his side, one thing to me is clear . . .
SLY JAMES IS MOST LIKELY AMONG THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES TO MOVE INTO THE PRIMARY!!!
What's interesting to me is that Sly doesn't have support from many minority political groups but every person of color I meet seems anxious to vote for him.
In fact, when I hear worries about Sly's candidacy it's mostly from white people who don't believe that Kansas City will elect another African-American mayor.
I don't mind revealing that whenever I have a chance to vote for a person of color, that's what I do . . . What we're gonna find out is if Kansas City will continue to practice more traditional forms of racism or if a very likable man can win the hearts and minds of this contentious cowtown based mostly public esteem and his record of service.
To wit, so much Kansas City love for Sly James has inspired tonight's playlist.
As always, thank you for reading this week and have a safe and fun weekend!!!
dood.
ReplyDeleteyes, he's a good guy
ReplyDeleteGo Sly!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGot all four votes in this white household!
Nice guy but won't happen.
ReplyDeleteIts okay, you can elect a nice person to public office if you want.
ReplyDeleteThe reason Sly doesn't have the support of the "leaders" in the minority communities is that he has refused to play the same old "pay to play" game that is the way they "earn" their livings, has been going on for decades, and most of the other candidates have done this time around. And who has effectively represented those minority communities? Sanders Brooks? Curls? Terry Riley?
ReplyDeleteThe residents know when they've been had and when finally a serious candidate shows up who might actually respresent their best interests instead of the insider grifters. The same can be said for Ellington.
You can't end up in a new place if you walk the same tired well-worn path.
I couldn't agree more. It's a shame the Black Clergy has not come out to support Sly. Good for him for standing on principle and not contributing to the political welfare state of mind. It's time for us, the Black Community, to stand up and demand better from ourselves first and particularly our leadership. Time out for kowtowing to threats from newspapers like the Globe, political extortion by the usual Black Clergy, Freedom Inc., and apathy among Black voters. If we think better we can do better and we can have bettter. Sly is the best candidate for mayor regardless of his name, spouse, or experience who just happens to be Black. We, the Black Community, owe Sly the decency of using the same rubric we use for White Candidates. It's time to end the self-hate and internal racism. My family and friends support Sly because he is the right person for the job and the Mayor Kansas City so desperately needs.
ReplyDeleteMr. James is a bright and classy gentleman. He will make a great Mayor. I am lucky to have talked with him and I cant wait for tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThe reason African-American leaders have not embraced Sly is because he is not really a part of their community, never has been. Also, he may be 'blood-proven' on the battlefield, but not in government. He has never run, nor served as an elected official, just as Funk had never served in office up until four years ago, and you see where that got us. The third and last reason is that he cannot win in the end, pure and simple. They want someone who can win, and Rowland is in a very good position to do that.
ReplyDeleteTony, "I don't mind revealing that whenever I have a chance to vote for a person of color, that's what I do"
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite blogs to read is http://jimmycsays.com/, it is linked here on this blog.
Fitz is an thoughtful, circumspect, old school journalist with the record and chops to carry weight on any subject. He is a political animal like Tony and covers the same subjects as Tony.
If Jim came out and said, "I don't mind revealing that whenever I have a chance to vote for a white person, that's what I do . . ., teh SHIT would ht the fan!
This blog, the KC Star, the Pitch and every sumbitch with a keyboard would call for a public execution.
Tony says it like we all at tea with him, nod our heads and ask for the crumpets.
Full disclosure, my whole family voted for Obama. I stil love the guy and think he is doing a great job, considering the mess he inherited. Those banks did have to be bailed out, even though I hate them. Fuck big banks. The galactically stupid war we are in, was not, and is not his fault. We are stuck for the foreseeable future there. I hate it too.
I also support Sly. His charisma charm and independence will be sorely needed to repair relations with our fucked up city council and our fucked up method of govt in this town.
Tony is just the same as your everyday, run of the mill, boilerplate meet on the street in Oklahoma Aryan Nation racist.
Pass the crumpets.
Tony, you're a part of LaRaza - will you vote for the slate or for the person of color?
ReplyDeleteVote for the best canidate. It doesnt matter what color they are. Kc is ready for Mr. James.
ReplyDeleteHell has indeed frozen over. Everybody likes a Personal Injury Attorney often referred to as "ambulance chaser".
ReplyDeleteShocking if it weren't for a few undeniable and inconvenient truths:
1. Every andidate wants to run against Sly in the General . Hmmm
2. No one is saying anything about him because- (See number 1)
3. Why isn't the AA leadership going for him? (See numero uno) That's for Tony.
4. Why isn't anyone questioning his civic involvement which is equal to Henry Klein? (See number one)
5. Why are people quick to point out Burke is a Development Lawyer which is a step or two above a Personal Injury Attorney? (See number 1)
So what does this all mean for Sly? It means he will make it through the Primary because all the campaigns share the same goal (See #1) and then his record of lawsuits, his lack of a civic resume compared to whomever his opponent is at a crutial time in our fiscal recovery, his probability of getting lost inside city hall without a guide, and other things will coming crashing in on him.
9:32
ReplyDeleteMakes some good points imo. No one in general is thrilled about thee personal injury lawyer aspect of Sly's resume, but, I still think he can overcome that and win.
He should, imo, embrace it, not run from it in any way and site his victories in court as evidence of his ability.
I wouldn't run from it.
I thought I had made up my mind who to vote for until I met James. He didnt have a negative thing to say about anyone. He promised to work hard and try to represent all of KC and move us forward. What a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteI'll take that bet. Let's meet someplace, each put up a thousand bucks, and you get it if he is in the top two, I get it if he's third or worse. Tell me where to meet. We could meet at a church and get a priest to hold the money, with the winner donating a sawbuck.
ReplyDeleteBe in touch, okay?
I'd just recommend that ou don't meet any of the revs in the basements of some of the black churches, or they'll leave with a whole lot more than a sawbuck!
ReplyDeleteAt least we have some good choices. Kc is ready for better times. At least with James I bet the city payout to legal claims will go away.
ReplyDeleteSly James...Imma vote for my man SLY JAMES!
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi! Sly is the man to get it done and our next great mayor!!
ReplyDeleteIve been to three mayoral forums with an open mind and James out shined all participants. It really wasnt even close. I forsee him being very approachable and a real asset for Kc.
ReplyDeleteI get the sense James has a strong and wide base of loyal educated registered voters exicted about his enthusiasm with KC's future.
ReplyDeleteWell Tony, it looks like you might not have the Funk to kick around anymore.
ReplyDeleteFirefighters want Funky Funk. No matter how nice a guy Sly may be, he has made it clear that he won't give Louie Wright everything he wants. Funk will! Fuggetaboutit!
ReplyDeleteI will vote for Sly and he would absolutely CRUSH funk in the primary. the only person he might lose to is Deb Hermann and she's so racist but the North is going to vote for her.
ReplyDeleteRank and file firefighters are not voting Funkhouser. There has been alot of talk at the station and it is anti-funk.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis week in review the knock on James was he didnt know his way around city hall. Acting city manager Shulte has the budget under control everyone acknowledges that. I think James can get on the elevator and push 29 and find his way.I also think he will find the city council floor and visit frequently. How exciting for KC.
ReplyDeleteAnd he didn't send me unsolicited bulk e-mail!
ReplyDeleteJust got a call from Deb Hermann's camp going negative against Mayor Funkhouser and "Mark" Burke. From some third party group. They were promoting Deb. Won't be enough Deb.
ReplyDeleteSomeone lay out in detail Sly James' plans to solve Kanas City's problems. Haven't heard anything but one liners from him and every other candidate running.
ReplyDeleteThe only person to give any detail is Funk and Deb and they have no clue how to move Kansas City forward.
This was the first level headed thing I've heard TKC write in awhile. Funk was driving around Westport today in a truck with his big lawn signs attached blaring "we got the funk." It was obnoxious and goes to show where his priorities are - slogans, not constituents. At least James is actually talking to people, and he developed a policy plan long ago and has been consistent, unlike the rest. I'm so ready for this race to be over... it's one of the least exciting elections I can remember. The mayor is weak because of the way our city gov was formed, and the city manager and civic groups really hold the power and get things done. I think Sly would look good cutting ribbons and visiting with civic groups, and that's pretty much all the mayor does in this inefficient city.
ReplyDeleteAnybody but Rolands . Keep Pat Gray out of the City.
ReplyDeleteDon't vote for the Pat Gray payroll say no to Rolands.And the E tax.Stop the payoffs to Gray.
ReplyDeleteSorry 6:55pm. Sly James also contracts out to Pat Gray for certain parts of his campaign.
ReplyDeleteTypical double cross. More reason to vote against Rolands
ReplyDelete"more traditional forms of racism", are equivalent to "whenever I have a chance to vote for a person of color, that's what I do"
ReplyDeleteWith Rowland you get Glorioso.
ReplyDeleteWhy no picture of his wife?
ReplyDeleteJust saw James on late news. He sure had a big crowd around him.
ReplyDeleteYou heard me.
ReplyDelete6:00 pm, no one in Deb's campaign is robo calling. If you got a call about Funk or Burke, don't lay the blame on Deb. Could just as easily be from Rowland or James.
ReplyDeleteWith Rowland you get Glorioso and with Burke you get Glorioso. Burke and Gaglioso were part of Kay's cabinet. Burke recently go Gaglioso a cushy PR job on the Metro North Mall redevelopment project. Gaglioso will initiate himself into many administrations. The only two I see saying "no" to him are Deb and Sly.
Sly James all the way Baby. Forget the haters. Sly is the man with a well oiled political machine. Today, I had someone knock on my door for the 2nd time. I got another call. And I already have a ton of mail from him. Sly went hard in the paint. I heard he had volunteers everywhere yesterday and today. Rode by the campaign office and the lights were still on. I ain't seen the lights on at Deb's yet. Sly James who? Sly James the Mayor.
ReplyDeleteAnd he was at the Peachtree too. That's my mother...shut yo mouth.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess the Black & Italian restaurants are supporting him. Interesting "Bed Fellows", Sly James, Papa Lew's, Peachtree, & Jaspers. Sly has a good following. Tuesday will be interesting. So much for the lack of familiarity in the Black community.
ReplyDeleteAnd he has a song...
ReplyDeletehttp://soundcloud.com/thephantom816/sly-james-master
LOL @ 11:18 !!! A well-oiled political machine ehhh? That was the funniest joke of the evening!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you are that "pro-sly" and they knocked on your door and called you multiple times that tells all of the other experienced camps that they have no clue how to administer a canvas team.
10:59 Please get your head out of the sand and reread my post about the Robo call. They dinged Funkhouser and Burke and then asked me to vote for Deb Hermann on Tuesday. You are trying to say Rowland or James would pay for calls asking people to vote for their opponent? Just goes to show how blindly people follow candidates. It kills me when candidates say they are running a possitive campaign and then use thrid parties to attack their opponents or let thir supporters do it. Their campaign is everyone involved in it and unles she calls back around or makes a public statement that those calls don't represent her view of her opponent, she supports what they said.
ReplyDeleteDeb put most of her Nutter money into "independendent" committees that her lobbyist campaign manager has control of, so she can claim that SHE is not going negative.
ReplyDeleteThey called me and could barely speak english. Had trouble getting started. Acted like they were terrified when a person answered the phone and waited for them to start speaking. Fumbled through and couldn't remember Burke's name. Had to pause and check. Really dumb. Maybe a GED classmate of Deb's
ReplyDeleteIf elected, will Sly require more black managers at city hall or will he pick the best candidates? We have very high ranking diverse, yes women too, people in high places with no clue because of their race and gender.
ReplyDelete