Let's celebrate a great mayoral campaign
With 11 days to go until the Nov. 3 election, it's time to say something to both men running for mayor: Thank you.
Charlotte voters find themselves in the middle of an excellent mayoral race. Two extremely well-qualified candidates - Democrat Anthony Foxx and Republican John Lassiter - have been engaged in a campaign that's been a credit to both.
Not since then-City Council member Sue Myrick knocked off incumbent Mayor Harvey Gantt in 1987 has a mayor's race here seen such strong candidates and active campaigning. In part, of course, that's due to the lack of an incumbent: After 14 years Mayor Pat McCrory is bowing out.
But it's also due to the candidates' strengths. Both are remarkably smart, well-spoken (they're lawyers) and well-informed on city issues. Both have clean records, and - far as we can tell - no skeletons rattling in their closets. Neither is a party extremist or likes to demagogue the issues. If anything, they're too serious-minded. But, hey, we are not complaining.
Some folks say Foxx and Lassiter are too much alike. Maybe they'd prefer them to go after each other with fist-pounding rhetoric and dirty tricks. In truth, they have significant differences in background, views and priorities. They're just not shouting at each other - for which we are grateful.
Yes, there was a dust-up last month, when Lassiter pulled out of a debate over the format, and a Foxx campaign volunteer paraded in front of Lassiter's headquarters in a chicken suit. And there have been some sharp remarks by each.
But compared with 1987 this campaign may as well have been scripted by Emily Post. "City gets taste of tough politics," read one 1987 headline. Myrick supporters mailed out an ugly anti-Gantt cartoon. Myrick called Gantt "nearsighted" and "self-serving" and accused him of peddling influence. Boos and catcalls broke out during at least one candidates' forum.
Of course, there's still time for insults and innuendo this year. We hope that doesn't happen.
Instead, the candidates are appearing almost daily at forums and debates, many open to the public. If anything they risk over-exposure.
If you haven't already seen them, there's still time before Nov. 3. Go. Listen. And make a point to vote Nov. 3. You're not likely to have a chance like this for years.
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Sources: McClatchy Newspapers, Charlotte Observer, Google Maps
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