By Mark Blum, www.markblum.com
First of all, 'Some of my Best Friends are Republicans', but the current Republican challenger has nothing to offer residents other than a platform of "hey, we ain't the other guy"..
Crossing the line from 'endorsing' to openly advocating both in favor of a candidate and against another, the Syracuse Newspapers, famous for screwing the community, has devoted the past four Sunday Editorials anointing Ms. Mahoney to the position.
A week ago, I saw Congressman Walsh, County Executive Pirro, and Ms. Mahoney all standing at a platform lambasting Mayor Driscoll. There standing were three favored children of the three families that have dominated Syracuse politics and policies for the past one hundred years. If you want to see the effect of their leadership and ideas, take a look around you. Nobody has a birthright to public office. But, what does Ms. Mahoney substantively bring to the table? 'More police'? 'Destiny'? Everything to everybody?
The incumbent Driscoll is no better. Running an administration comprised of Michael Brown-esque barely capable managers, on his watch the City has slid fast into the gutter. The schools have a less than 50% graduation rate and 5 of them are among the worst in the State. At least we know why Superintendent Jones got out of town as fast as he did. But, instead of demanding the resignation of every member of the School Board, City residents are being asked to return several School Board members and the Mayor to office. Now famous for obstructionist policies, covering for illegal activities at the police department, inadequate policy for crime response, and stifling growth in every sector, Mayor Driscoll has not proven himself worthy of re-election. The test for an incumbent is not whether the challenger is better. An incumbent should have to earn his seat; not keep it by virtue of having already earned the job.
To quote one of our Nation's Founders and earliest Presidents, "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." (John Quincy Adams).
Do not vote for a candidate because you 'think' they will win. This is not a football game and you are not betting on the winner. No candidate is ahead, has a lock, is winning, or is going to win until the very moment the polls close. Before you flip that switch, regardless of the promises you made to your friends and family –¦ before you flip that switch –¦ did you do it because of party or because you think the candidate is going to win – or did you flip that switch because in your heart, you voted for the person you believe best capable of bringing Syracuse into the 21st Century and to build a world class legacy for the children of your great grandchildren.