WALTER SCOTT'S KILLER (EX-COP) GETS 20 YRS IN PRISON THANKS TO TRUMP

WALTER SCOTT'S KILLER GETS 20 YRS IN PRISON THANKS TO TRUMP:

BLACK MEN SHOULD NOT BE SHOT DEAD JUST BECAUSE THEY OWE CHILD SUPPORT.

BLACK MEN WHO OWE CHILD SUPPORT DESERVE FULL-TIME JOBS TO PAY THEIR DEBTS, NOT JAIL, NOR DEATH.

IF OBAMA WERE PRESIDENT, THAT WHITE OFFICER WOULD HAVE BEEN ACQUITTED.

IF OBAMA WERE PRESIDENT, WALTER SCOTT'S MOTHER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A CHECK BUT NO JUSTICE.

FORGIVENESS DOES NOT ELIMINATE CONSEQUENCES.

WHITE POLITICIANS CAN REPRESENT BLACK VOTERS FAIRLY & PROPERLY REGARDLESS OF PARTY.

TAKE HEED ATLANTA (MARY NORWOOD).

TAKE HEED ATLANTA (MARY NORWOOD).


Sources: ABC News, Youtube


***** White ex-cop gets 20 years for Walter Scott slaying


One by one, relatives of the late Walter Scott urged a judge to mete out a significant punishment for Michael Slager, the white former police officer who fatally shot Scott, an unarmed black man, in the back after a 2015 traffic stop.

Through tears, Scott's family told Slager they felt sorrow for him and the loss his young children would feel in his absence. In the end, a judge sentenced Slager to 20 years in prison, giving the Scott family the justice they had sought ever since a stranger came to them with the shocking video of Scott being killed.

"I forgive Michael Slager. I forgive you," Scott's mother, Judy, said as she turned toward her son's killer. "I pray for you, that you would repent and let Jesus come in your life."

Sitting just a few feet away, Slager wiped tears from his eyes and mouthed: "I'm sorry."

The punishment wrapped up a case that became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. Slager, 36, is one of only a few police officers to go to prison for a fatal shooting, and his sentence is by far the stiffest since the shootings came under extra scrutiny in recent years.

Attorneys for the former North Charleston officer said he shot the 50-year-old Scott in self-defense after the two fought and Scott grabbed Slager's stun gun. They said race didn't play a role in the shooting and Slager never had any "racial animus" toward minorities.

Still, Slager pleaded guilty in federal court to violating Scott's civil rights. As part of a plea agreement reached in May, prosecutors dropped state murder charges.

"This is a tragedy that shouldn't have happened," U.S. District Judge David Norton said.

Slager apologized to the Scott family, calling Scott's mother and brothers by their names.

"With my actions that day, Walter Scott is no longer with his family, and I am responsible for that," Slager said. Of their forgiveness, he added: "I am very grateful for that."

Slager's emotions stood in stark contrast to his stoic demeanor during his state murder trial when jurors deadlocked over a verdict. He has several weeks to appeal his sentence and will be housed at the Charleston County jail until he's assigned to a federal prison.

After the sentencing, Judy Scott and Walter's two brothers told reporters that, while they had made peace with the case, they remained adamant the officer should pay for his crime.

"Who are we not to forgive?" Rodney Scott said.

A bystander recorded the shooting on a cellphone, and it was shared around the world, setting off protests across the U.S. as demonstrators said it was another egregious example of police officers mistreating African-Americans.

Slager fired at Scott's back from 17 feet (5 meters) away. Five of eight bullets hit him.

The video was seized on by many as vivid proof of what they had been arguing for years: that white officers too often use deadly force unnecessarily against black people.

When the jury failed to reach a verdict in the state murder case, many black people and others were shocked and distressed, because the video seemed to some to be an open-and-shut case. Some despaired of ever seeing justice.

The shooting angered local African-Americans who complained for years that North Charleston police harassed blacks, pulling them over or questioning them unnecessarily as they cracked down on crime. But after the shooting, the Scott family successfully pleaded for calm, asking everyone to let the justice system run its course.

Two months after the shooting, a young white man killed nine black church members in a racially motivated massacre during a Bible study in Charleston. The family members of those victims struck a similar forgiveness tone after that attack.

Before Slager's sentence was handed down, the judge had to decide whether the shooting amounted to second-degree murder or manslaughter. Norton found that it was murder.

"No matter what sentence I give, neither the Scott family nor the Slager family is going to think that it's right," the judge said.

After the shooting, Slager picked up his stun gun and placed it next to Scott. Slager contended he was securing the weapon. Prosecutors think he put it there to bolster his self-defense story.

The judge also found that Slager obstructed justice when he made statements to state police after the shooting.

A pre-sentencing report for Slager found that he committed manslaughter and recommended 10 to nearly 13 years in prison. But the judge was not bound by that review.

If Slager had faced another state trial and been convicted of murder, he could have been sentenced to anywhere from 30 years to life in prison.

Convictions in police officer shootings are uncommon in the U.S. and prison time is even rarer.

South Carolina has been aggressive in charging white officers who shoot unarmed black people. Four have pleaded guilty in state or federal court in the past six years. But only Slager and former state trooper Sean Groubert, who shot a man as he tried to get his wallet during a seat belt violation check, will have been sent to prison. Groubert was sentenced to five years behind bars.

WHITE MAYOR WANTED IN ATLANTA (KASIM REED'S ASCENSION)

WHITE MAYOR WANTED IN ATLANTA (KASIM REED'S ASCENSION):

On Nov 7, 2017 registered Atlanta voters will elect a new Mayor.

In the video above I explain why Atlanta is ready for a new more diverse image and why Atlanta's next Mayor should be WHITE.

Incumbent Atlanta Mayor KASIM REED's future reach for the office of U.S. Senator is also discussed.

**** Could One Of These Rumored Candidates Be Atlanta's Next Mayor?

Although the Atlanta mayoral contest is less than one year away, the rumor mill is busy speculating about candidates.

Mayor Kasim Reed is unable to run for a third consecutive term, so the field is wide open. These potential candidates are making moves that are creating a bit of buzz:

• Ceasar Mitchell: The current Atlanta council president hasn’t formally declared, but has long been seen as a front-runner in the 2017 race. A long-established political action committee for Mitchell shows no signs of slowing, either, with an upcoming fundraiser in his honor.

• Kwanza Hall: The Atlanta councilman hasn’t officially filed to run, but says he’s formed an exploratory committee to seriously consider a bid. Hall has also stepped up the number of public appearances with Mayor Kasim Reed in recent months.

• Margaret Kaiser: The state representative announced a desire to run earlier this year, following Woolard’s announcement, and repeated recently that she’s still interested in the seat. But for now, Kaiser said she’s focused on her state district.

• Peter Aman: The former Reed deputy and Bain & Co. partner has been quietly making the rounds across the city to chat with insiders about a potential run. He also moved into city limits in recent years, a clear sign of intent. This week, Aman said he’s “seriously considering” a bid. His most public move yet? Joining Twitter.

• Robb Pitts: The former Fulton commissioner and Atlanta councilman may not be done with politics. A spokeswoman for Pitts, who narrowly lost his bid for Fulton chairman in 2014, said he’s considering a run for mayor in 2017. Pitts ran for mayor in 2001 and lost to Franklin.

Sources:  AJC, Youtube, Wikipedia 

New York City's 2013 Mayoral Candidates: Quinn & Thompson (I Endorse Thompson!)

In 2009 Billionaire Michael Bloomberg Spent more than $100 Million of his OWN Money to keep his BLACK Opponent, Democrat & Former NYC Comptroller William C. Thompson from Capturing the Mayor's Seat.

Yes Bloomberg was so Opposed to a BLACK Man becoming the Next Mayor of NYC, he even "Convinced" City Council Members to change the rules making it possible for him to Bid for a Third Term.
And after much Schmoozing & Spending of his Cash, Bloomberg Mysteriously eked out a Win.
In fact he barely defeated William C. Thompson.

Well.....
Bloomberg's Third Term ends in 2013.
Thank You Jesus!
Sorry but at this point that's how I feel.

So who will New York City's Next Mayor be?

Here are the likely Candidates:

Christine C. Quinn (D): NYC Politician (She has some of the LGBT Vote)

William C. Thompson Jr. (D): Bed-Stuy Native & Former NYC Comptroller (He has the BLACK, Latino, LGBT, Educated, Middle Class Vote)

Bill De Blasio (D): NYC Politician

Scott M. Stringer (D): Manhattan Borough President (He has the Wealthy Manhattan Voters)

And...

John C. Liu (D): Current NYC Comptroller (He has the Asian Vote. i.e, China Town)

Which Candidate do you think Democrats & the Obama White House will throw their Weight behind?

Will it be the Well-Qualified BLACK Candidate: William C. Thomspon?

Or....

The WHITE LGBT Candidate Christine C. Quinn?
Stay Tuned.


View Larger Map


Sources: AP, CUNY-TV, NY Times, Youtube, Google Maps

Anthony Foxx Woos Charlotte's Gay Voters: 2011 Re-election Bid & Campaign Promises

Mayor Anthony Foxx Meets With Charlotte's Gay Community


Mayor Anthony Foxx became the first sitting Charlotte mayor to hold a public meeting with the gay community Wednesday night.

"I have the real pleasure of serving 720,000 people who live in this city," Foxx said. "Every single person has a unique background."

Several community members who attended the talk at the Lesbian & Gay Community Center called it a huge step toward acceptance and equality for a city that has long kept its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents at a distance.

"There is still this wide swath of conservatism in Charlotte," said Richard Thomas, chairman of the Mecklenburg Gay & Lesbian Political Action Committee. "The opportunity is phenomenal to now open that dialogue so that we can start change."

Many in the community are still angry with former Mayor Pat McCrory, who refused to send a routine welcome letter to greet attendees of the annual dinner for the Carolinas chapter of the Human Rights Campaign, a major gay rights advocacy group.

In 1995, former Mayor Richard Vinroot voiced his opposition to a city gay rights festival stating, "I don't wish to see us raise the level of exposure of the gay and lesbian movement in this city."

Teresa Davis, who moderated the mayor's discussion, drew a large round of applause when she held up a framed copy of the letter Foxx wrote welcoming the estimated 10,000 attendees at the Pride Charlotte festival in July.

The mayor covered multiple topics, including public safety, bullying in schools, and anti-discrimination policies.

Matt Comer, editor of Qnotes, a LGBT community newspaper, said the city still has a long way to go before members of the community feel included.

He and others peppered the mayor for much of the nearly two-hour conversation with questions and statements about why the city has yet to add benefits for domestic partners, like the county has done.

They pressed him to hold a public debate on the issue so that they, as voters, would know who they could support in November.

"At the end of the day it needs to be talked about. When is it going to be talked about?" said Riley Murray, 40, who lives in northwest Charlotte. "You're supposed to be our voice."

Foxx gave no firm commitments on bringing the issue to City Council or requesting a study. He said the city must consider that its budget is hundreds of millions less than it was a year earlier.

"I'm not going to sit here and say I'm going to support same-sex benefits without knowing the financial impacts," he said.

The council has debated the issue before in 2003, but City Attorney Mac McCarley said state law doesn't give clear approval for the benefits.

But a recent report from the UNC School of Government wrote that state law appears to give local governments authority to offer the benefits, though it hasn't been tested in court.

Last year, the Mecklenburg commissioners voted to offer domestic partner benefits to county workers in same-sex relationships in 2011. But it wasn't easy. Debate was heated and a public uproar ensued after Commissioner Bill James referred to fellow commissioner Vilma Leake's son as "a homo" after she discussed his death from AIDS as a reason to support the measure.




Gay Voters' Support For Republicans Nearly Doubled From 2008


Republicans made significant inroads among gay and lesbian voters in the midterm elections, with national exit polls for the House races showing that the GOP captured 31 percent of the vote of this group this year, compared to 19 percent in 2008.

The change from the last midterm elections in 2006 was not quite as large but an increase nevertheless. In 2006, 24 percent supported Republicans. Democrats' share of the gay vote rose from 75 percent in 2006 to 80 percent in 2008 and then dropped to 68 percent in 2010. Each year, approximately 3 percent of voters identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

"I have been very concerned over these last two years that the connection between the gay rights community and the Democratic Party is in danger of being broken, because I think expectations were set so high as a result of the 2008 election, and people are extremely disappointed," said Richard Socarides, a former assistant to President Clinton and senior White House adviser on gay rights.

Socarides said that the gay community recognizes President Obama has many pressing issues to juggle, but there's nevertheless frustration on his LGBT strategy.

"The president articulated in the early summer of 2009, when he had that event at the White House on the 40th anniversary of [the] Stonewall [rebellion] and had a couple of hundred people in the White House -- he said, essentially, give me two terms, and at the end of eight years, I will have accomplished for you what I said I would," said Socarides. "I think that some people come out of that as, we're not prepared to wait. And some people thought it was a bad strategy because they thought it was going to get harder not easier. You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to see this change coming in Congress a long time ago. So, I think that we as Democrats have a lot of explaining to do."

More conservatives have been speaking out in favor of gay rights as the issue becomes more mainstream amongst the general public, and Republicans perhaps sense some vulnerability and dissatisfaction with Democrats.

Of course, one of the central figures pushing for marriage equality is conservative attorney Ted Olson who, along with David Boies, argued the case seeking to overturn California's Prop. 8, which bans same-sex marriage. Former Republican National Committee chair Ken Mehlman made headlines recently when he came out as a gay man and signed on to help raise money for the marriage equality fight.

The Log Cabin Republicans have also been taking on a more visible role, bringing the suit arguing that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is unconstitutional. R. Clarke Cooper, executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, is proud of the fact that 12 of the 17 candidates the group endorsed went on to win their races. He said he believes that the reason Republicans performed better with the gay community in this election is because of the focus on the economy rather than social issues.

"Yes, Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be repealed, so we can have open service," said Cooper. "But if people can't pay their bills or there is concern about their investments, then there could be some overriding points there."

"We want Republicans who respect individual liberty and individual responsibility and champion that as conservatives," he added. "So that's the ideal, right? But knowing there are members of the party that don't fall under that definition -- or, as I like to say, we're working on them -- our guidance was, during this campaign cycle, if you have nothing nice to say about the gay community, say nothing at all. Just shut up. And talk about issues that do affect all Americans, like the economy. Everyone needs a job -- doesn't matter if you're gay or straight."

Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, agreed that the struggling economy and larger political trends likely played a major role.

"There is enormous fear and frustration among people all across the nation, and a factor is a rocky, stalled economy and high unemployment rate," said Nipper. "When the party in power doesn't seem to be making it better, some people make their anger known at the ballot box. Is that the case here? It's tough to know for sure without people actually saying why they voted the way they did."

Socarides also said that some people who identify as gay may have been "voting more on economic issues rather than rights issues."

Among Republican elected officials, there has so far been basically no activity. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) attended a fundraising event for the Log Cabin Republicans in September, but received flack from the religious right for doing so. Besides this move, Republicans have shown little interest in making gay rights a major part of their agenda, and one of the few Republicans supporting the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) -- Rep. Charles Djou (Hawaii) -- lost his seat on Tuesday.

Cooper, who had just returned from meetings on Capitol Hill before speaking with The Huffington Post on Thursday, had more hope for progress. He said that Republican leadership staff had told him the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would likely be taken up during the lame-duck session in the House, although the calendar had not yet been set. He added that his group was pitching ENDA -- which prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity -- to Republicans as a "pro-jobs piece of legislation."

"No one should be denied access to employment," said Cooper, "and that is a conservative talking point. I think we may have some opportunity there to gain some potential support or votes we haven't had in the past. And of course it helps we have some folks who are already in Congress, who are incumbent, who will help message that."

In the next Congress, he said the Log Cabin Republicans would be pushing a tax equity bill, to be introduced by Republican members. He also expected more Republicans and conservative Democrats to support the 2011 defense authorization bill -- which contains a provision to repeal DADT -- when it comes up, since the Pentagon will soon be finishing its review of the implications of open service for gays and lesbians.

UPDATE,

2:33 p.m.: Several readers have written in to point out that the sample size of gay, lesbian and bisexual voters for this poll was small. Liz Goodwin of The Upshot spoke with Hunter College Professor Ken Sherrill, who studies the gay electorate and said that after reviewing the full data, there was "a disproportionate drop in Democratic support among LGB voters compared to Hispanic, black, and young voters." "Though the sample size is still very small and thus there's a large margin of error, Sherrill now says the drop may be attributed to 'dissatisfaction with the pace of change on LGB rights over the past two years,'" added Goodwin.




Gay Voters Angry At Democrats Could Sway 2010 Election


Kate Coatar is seriously considering voting for Green Party candidates instead of Democrats, whom she normally supports. James Wyatt won't cast a ballot at all because he no longer trusts anyone to fight for causes important to him.

If Democratic candidates are counting on long-standing support from gay voters to help stave off big losses on Nov. 2, they could be in for a surprise.

Across the country, activists say gay voters are angry – at the lack of progress on issues from eliminating employment discrimination to uncertainty over serving in the military to the economy – and some are choosing to sit out this election or look for other candidates.

President Barack Obama's hometown of Chicago, with its large, politically and socially active gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, offers a snapshot of what some are calling the "enthusiasm gap" between voters who came out strong for Obama and other Democrats in 2008 and re-energized Republican base voters, including tea party enthusiasts who say they are primed to storm the polls.

It didn't help that the controversy over the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays erupted less than two weeks before the election, when a judge overturned it, then Obama's justice department decided to fight the judge's decision. On Thursday, the Defense Department declared that "don't ask, don't tell" is official policy but set up a new system that could make it tougher to get thrown out of the military for being openly gay.

"It's all talk and nothing's happening, and I'm just over it," said Coatar, 62, a church business manager who said she's as concerned about health care and homelessness as about gay issues. "I don't know who to vote for and the election is a week away."

Wyatt, 35, a maintenance worker at the Center on Halsted, a community center serving Chicago's GLBT community, said politicians only court gay voters at election time.

"Once they're elected, they're not fighting for things like civil unions or same-sex marriage or ending 'don't ask, don't tell' because they're hot-button issues," said Wyatt, who usually supports Democrats. "We're just used as a piggyback for them to get into office. It's absurd."

Whether or not that's the case, Wyatt isn't the only one who feels that way.

And in places like Cook County, Ill., where the gay population represents about 7 percent of voters, that could mean the difference between victory and defeat in some races, said Rick Garcia, director of public policy for Equality Illinois. One of those races is a much-watched and close battle for Obama's old Senate seat between Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk.

"If (candidates) can mobilize the gay community and get them out to vote, it could make all the difference in the world in some of these key races," said Garcia.

But volunteers who've been calling the 18,000 or so members of Equality Illinois to urge them to vote have been getting an earful. Many members say they won't vote or will vote against incumbents, regardless of their party affiliation or stance on gay issues.

This year's election is a stark contrast to 2008, when the gay community turned out in droves to elect Obama and help Democrats regain control of Congress.

"People were clamoring and very excited about the change that then-candidate Obama promised America," Garcia said. "Now I see lethargy at best and disgust at worst."

He said gains won under Obama, including in fighting housing discrimination, have not filtered out to many in the gay community because "the big issues have not appeared to change at all."

"But change takes time; sometimes it takes a lot of time. A lot of folks just don't understand that," said Garcia. "I am older and more seasoned, but most people are very disturbed with the administration ... and they're the hard ones to get out to vote.

"The message is huge: Don't take us for granted."

Tracy Baim, publisher of Windy City Times, Chicago's oldest and largest GLBT newspaper, and author of the new book "Obama and the Gays," said disappointment is showing up in another way: Some are refusing to donate money to candidates until they see progress, although it's difficult to gauge how much that has affected fundraising.

A message left Friday with the Democratic National Committee seeking comment was not immediately returned.

But many gay organizations are working hard to get voters to the polls, fearing they could face setbacks if Republicans retake control of Congress. Baim said Democrats and Obama still enjoy widespread support in some parts of the gay community, particularly among African-Americans and Latinos, and she believes the majority still will vote.

"People are disappointed but understand that this really is the best hope for significant change over the next several years," she said. "But at the same time, the anger is very real."

Robin McGehee, co-founder and director of the national gay-rights organization GetEQUAL calls the mood among gay voters a "disappointment canyon" but said they have no choice but to go to the polls.

She, however, is refusing to donate to or volunteer for any candidate this year. And members of her group are protesting wherever Obama appears on the campaign trail.

"We can't not take advantage of the right to vote, but that doesn't mean we can't vote smartly," said McGehee, of Fresno, Calif. "If I was a leader in the Democratic Party, I would be worried.

"Either we're important enough to fight for our equality or we're worth losing," she said. "Right now we're being treated like we're worth losing."








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Sources: Charmeck.org, Huffington Post, McClatchy Newspapers, WCNC, Google Maps

Jim Pendergraph Tricked Into Vice-Chair Role? 2011 Charlotte Mayor's Race Dirty Politics

Jim Pendergraph or Harold Cogdell For Charlotte's Next Mayor?

Why not?

Both Men have proven to be Excellent Leaders with the ability to work across Party lines with ease.

Both Men are well-versed & well-known in North Carolina's Political circles.

For example unlike Charlotte's Current Partisan Mayor Anthony Foxx, Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Commissioner Harold Cogdell (graduate of N.C. A & T University, N.C. Central Law School) a Successful Charlotte Attorney & Staunch Democrat, recently demonstrated how serious he was about working in an Bi-partisan political environment versus a Partisan environment.

When selecting new Leadership for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, Mr. Cogdell absolutely refused to support anyone for Vice-Chair other than newly elected Commissioner Jim Pendergraph, a Republican.

In fact Mr. Cogdell was even willing to challenge his extremely Partisan Board Member Jennifer Roberts for the Chairperson slot to help ensure Mr. Pendergraph be selected as Vice-Chair.

Cogdell's logic for such a well-orchestrated Political scheme?

He states he was "Damn Tired Of Partisan Politics!"

However he still cast a vote allowing Jennifer Roberts Queen of "Partisan Politics" to remain in her previous role as Chairperson.

As for the Sincerity of Mr. Cogdell's decision-making prior to & after the board's vote God only knows, nevertheless it was a Brilliant move....to help keep Jim Pendergraph from Running as Charlotte's next Mayor in 2011 that is.

Since I wouldn't actually mind seeing Jim Pendergraph elected as Charlotte's new Mayor, I can't say I fully endorse Mr. Codgell's actions, however one HAS to give him credit for having the Chutzpah to stand up against Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Queen of "Partian Politics" herself, Jennifer Roberts!


Now as for Jim Pendergraph's qualifications who can forget his previous stint in local Public Office as Sheriff of Charlotte-Mecklenburg?

A Role well deserved in which he functioned for 13 years!

In fact Mr. Pendergraph was an Excellent Sheriff who cultivated & developed an Extremely Diverse Staff.

Diverse in Race and Gender, especially as it relates to Advancement & Promotion.

Mr. Pendergraph a graduate of the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, resigned from his role as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Sheriff to accept a job offer with former POTUS George W. Bush's Administration as Executive Director of State and Local Coordination for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a division of Homeland Security.


Either Harold Cogdell & Jim Pendergraph would be an Excellent replacement for Anthony Foxx, who appears to be nothing more than a Puppet for President Barack Obama & the Obama Administration Agenda, with NO Original Leadership Ideas of his own!


How did I arrive at the conclusion that Mr. Cogdell may have participated in a Political Scheme to "trick" Jim Pendergraph into accepting the role of County Commissioner Vice-Chair as a means of keeping him out of the upcoming 2011 Charlotte Mayoral Race?

Because former Mayor Pat McCrory mentioned Jim Pendergraph as a possible candidate for Charlotte's next Mayor on a recent segment of WCNC's "Flashpoint" webcast.




Don't Hate The Messenger!

For those of you who don't know me I'm an Opinionated Native New Yorker, Proud Political Junkie with an God-given eye for picking Winners & a Keen nose for rooting out Political Corruption.

I'm also closely Blood-related to a Charlotte Politician currently serving in Public Office.

In other words I know Politics like I know my own name. Politics is in My DNA.

No Boasting just speaking facts.

Because of my God-given Political Perspective & frequently Spot-on Insight, many Local & National Political Figures have Retaliated against Me & My Family.

Terrible, Hurtful Retaliation!

Many have even tried to Stop me & Shut me up.

Did it work?

NO!

Why?

I was Created to be deeply involved in the Political Process in some form or another.

Except NOT the role of simply visiting Exit Polls during Election time like "Obedient" Sheep being led to a Slaughterhouse!

Yes I Vote during each Primary & Election but that is NOT the main purpose of my existence, that is as it relates to all things Political.

If you despise me or what I do, tell God!

By the way there is Only one. God Almighty!

Last time I checked he still runs the show.

Thus the reason why I Still Exist!


So let's revisit 6 reasons Why & How former Charlotte Mayoral Candidate John Lassiter lost to current Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx?


1.) Foxx hired David Axelrod's Political Consulting Firm and ran an Effective Grassroots Campaign.

2.) Lassiter hired an Ineffective Campaign Manager who refused to listen to Conventional Wisdom as it relates to Politics.

3.) North Carolina Democrats' Dirty Politics.

4.) Straight Ticket Voting by Black Democrats who reside in West Charlotte.

Ironically for all their Loyalty to the Mecklenburg County & North Carolina Democratic Party, Charlotte's Black Voters who reside in West Charlotte have received Very Little in return for their Voter Investment.

Just take a ride on over to Beatties Ford (James Mitchell's District) and check out how Horrible the place looks!

Its nothing more than a Southern Harlem in a Bad way.

The Old Harlem that is.

Not the New Harlem where Property Values have recently Skyrocketed due to Mayor Bloomberg Investments to Revitalize that area of New York City.


5.) Exit Poll Precinct Captains in Charlotte's Black Communities (mainly West Charlotte) turning Ballots into the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections after Midnight.

6.) John Lassiter underestimated Anthony Foxx's ability to use Dirty Politics in the race. Lassiter & his Ineffective Campaign Manager naively thought Foxx would "Never" do such a thing.


Come on!

It was a Political race & Foxx sought David Axelrod's Chicago-style Political advice!

What did they think Anthony Foxx was going to do to win?

Bake Cookies & hand them out to Charlotte's Voters?


Lassiter also allowed his Ineffective Campaign Manager & Anthony Foxx to trick him into foolishly campaigning together.

OMG! How Crazy is that?

Nothing wrong with Political Candidates Debating together to express their views on Voter related issues, however Candidates Should NOT campaign together!

After all there can Only be One Winner!

This slick Chicago Politics Strategy allowed Anthony Foxx who was actually the Weaker, Less Experienced candidate, to lean upon & pull from the Strengths of John Lassiter.

Foxx became more Confident, giving him the edge with Voters than.... he suddenly Slammed Lassiter with the hard hammer of Dirty Politics!

(By the way did I fail to mention that Anthony Foxx hired David Axelrod's Political Consulting Firm to help him win?)


Poor Lassiter didn't even see his Political career being destroyed because his Ineffective Campaign Manager who refused to listen to Conventional Wisdom, totally Ignored all signs of reality & the possibility of Lassiter losing to a Weaker, less Experienced Candidate.

Foxx painted Lassiter as a Cold, Greedy Politician who panders to Developers when in reality its actually Foxx who's the Cold, Greedy Politician pandering low to Developers with deep pockets.

These factors literally cost Lassiter the election & are the ONLY reasons why Anthony Foxx currently reigns as Charlotte Mayor versus the more Qualified, more Experienced John Lassiter.

I voted for John Lassiter & was very disappointed he didn't win.

However I have to admit that Lassiter ONLY lost because he & his Ineffective Campaign Manager basically handed the Mayor's seat to Foxx on a Silver Platter!

Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory would NEVER have made it that easy for his Political Opponent to win.

Back in 2008 McCrory's former Gubernatorial Opponent Bev Perdue ONLY beat McCrory because she rode President Barack Obama's coattails, North Carolina Democratic Party Dirty Politics & possibly Voter Fraud.

That's It!


So you see the 2009 Charlotte Mayoral Race wasn't about Racial Relations or Racism, as the Charlotte Observer wanted everyone to believe

Nor was it about Income or Social Status Levels. (Class Wars)

Instead it was All about Dirty Politics via the N.C. Democratic Party & Charlotte Observer, Black Straight Ticket Voters From West Charlotte & Democratic Party Precinct Captains (Black Communities).


Now as it relates to Charlotte's upcoming 2011 Mayoral Election I have No idea who will challenge current Mayor Anthony Foxx .

However everyone within Foxx's inner circle knows he's going to throw his hat in the ring again.

You see Foxx like his Political Mentor Barack Obama, loves being in the Limelight too much NOT to Run again!

Its also Financially beneficial for Foxx to remain on the Political Center Stage.

Why do you think Anthony Foxx has constantly been pushing that City-County Merger idea all year?

Its NOT about Saving Public Schools, "curbing Government Spending or Eliminating the Duplication of City-County Services".

(Did I fail to mention that AFTER Anthony Foxx became Mayor of Charlotte his Children started Attending Private School just like his Political Mentor President Barack Obama?)






Please!!

Its about Power!

Once some people have tasted Power they are afraid to let it go. i.e., Anthony Foxx & Jennifer Roberts.


Mayor Foxx pretends to be concerned about Constituent issues such as Public Safety when he's really ONLY concerned about his Narcisstic Self!



Don't forget Anthony Foxx is the guy who wasted Millions of Dollars in a Recession on an Unnecessary Streetcar slated to Only run 1.5 miles!




Foxx also sat on $3 Million in Stimulus Money originally allocated for Homelessness Prevention, during one of Charlotte's Coldest Winters ever (last year).



And it looks as if he's going to stick it to Charlotte's Homeless Population again this Winter.




All for the sake of Arrogance & Political Fame just like D.C.'s former Mayor Adrian Fenty. (Another one of Foxx's Political Mentors)

Last I heard Adrian Fenty was NOT re-elected!


As I was saying now Mayor Foxx is pushing HIS City-County Merger proposal so that he & his fellow Partisan Counterpart Jennifer Roberts can remain in Power FOREVER!

Or at least until one of them decides to run for a State or Congressional seat.

How do they do plan to carry out their little Partisan scheme?

If the City-County Merger proposal is ever realized, both Foxx & Roberts will put up a vote for longer Term Limits to avoid ever been run out of Office.

Since there are currently more Democrats serving on both the Charlotte City Council & Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, the Vote will more than likely Pass!

Now do you understand why I'm so vehemently opposed to Straight Ticket Voting & Gerrymandering??


Here's a list of Possible Candidates for the 2011 Charlotte Mayoral Race:

(A Bi-Partisan Council is Strongly recommended with a Republican Mayor.)


Edwin Peacock: current At-Large Charlotte City Council Member. (Republican)

Tariq Bokhari: Wells Fargo Vice-President of Wachovia Securities. (Republican)

Andy Dulin: current Charlotte City Council Member, District 6. (Republican)

Warren Cooksey: current Charlotte City Council Member, District 7 (Republican)

Nancy Carter: current Charlotte City Council Member, District 5 (Democrat)

Jason Burgess: Son of the Late Susan Burgess (Charlotte City Council's former Mayor Pro tem) & current At-Large Charlotte City Council Member. (Democrat)

Patrick Cannon: current Charlotte City Council Member Mayor Pro Tem (Democrat)

Jim Pendergraph: current Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Vice-Chair. (Republican)

Harold Cogdell: current Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioner Member. (Democrat)


Hopefully this time may the BEST, Most Qualified, Most Experienced Candidate actually Win without the use of Dirty Politics & what appears to North Carolina Democratic Party Voter Fraud Tricks via Precinct Captains in Charlotte's Black Communities!

I Can't tell you whom to vote for.

Those type of decisions must be made after spending much time in Prayer & researching each Candidate's Background and where they stand on Voter-Related issues.

Please Don't cast ballots for Candidates based upon such Superficial attributes as Political Party, Race, Education or Social Status.

Review their Public Service & Voting Records.

If necessary Double Check their Public Service records, Voting Records & Civic Duty Records.

DON'T just listen to what they say or get excited over a Polished, possibly embellished Resume.

Observe their Body Language. Watch how they treat Voters on the Campaign trail.

And Pray!!

For example Anthony Foxx loves to raise Taxes to create Revenue.

He Claims he doesn't yet while serving as a regular Charlotte City Council Member he voted for a 9% local Tax Increase.

On the other hand Jim Pendergraph, knows how to Successfully & Efficiently Manage a Large Organization without raising Taxes as a means of creating more Revenue.


As a reminder the purpose of this post is NOT to Politically Smear Mayor Anthony Foxx!

To the Contrary.

Its simply written to help Educate Charlotte Voters on the inner workings of Political Campaigns & the game of Dirty Politics.

I do NOT endorse/favor the use of Dirty Politics but to ignore or pretend that it exists is Foolish & Naive.

Politics always has & will forever be a Dirty Game.

Only the STRONG Survive!

Have a Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year full of Abundance, Favor, Forgiveness, Love, Peace, Prosperity and Wisdom!

See you at the Polls in 2011.

Psalm 5:12, Psalm 91, Psalm 127:3, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 54:13, Isaiah 54:17, Luke 1:37, I Corinthians 13:13 & Revelations 12:11






Jennifer Roberts Remains Charlotte-Mecklenburg Co. Board Of County Commissioners Chair In Surprise Vote; Pendergraph Still Vice-Chair


Jennifer Roberts was unanimously re-elected as Mecklenburg County commissioners' chairman on Monday, overcoming a surprising effort to oust her from the position.

And in an unusual split in the leadership roles, Republican Jim Pendergraph was elected as Vice-Chairman of the county board.

The votes - which occurred during a swearing-in ceremony for the new nine-member board - came hours after Democrat Harold Cogdell told some commissioners that he thought he had enough votes to become chair instead of Roberts. Some said he struck a deal with the four GOP commissioners that would have also made Pendergraph the vice chair.

The apparent deal raised eyebrows because - with few exceptions - the chairmanship of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners has been held by the member of the majority party who received the most votes in the at-large race.

Roberts finished first in November's election, followed by Pendergraph and Cogdell.

On Monday, however, Republican Karen Bentley nominated Cogdell as chair.

Democrat George Dunlap was critical of the nomination and the reported deal between Cogdell and Republicans. At one point he said he would only vote for Cogdell as chair if he "denounced the Democrat party... and declare that he is a Republican."

But Cogdell said there was no deal-making and took himself out of the race. He then said he'd be willing to support Roberts as chair and Pendergraph for the number two leadership role.

Cogdell said the issue had never been about him being chair, and suggested he was only trying to send a message about how partisanship can hurt decision-making.

"Everything comes down to Partisan Politics," he said. "I'm sick and damned tired of Partisan Politics because what has happened is people aren't communicating anymore... No party has a monopoly on good decisions."

The discussion Monday night was at times heated and often confusing. At one point it was unclear if commissioners could continue debating on the chairmanship.

"And you wonder why I don't want to be chair," Cogdell said, drawing laughter.

Replied fellow Democrat Vilma Leake: "We don't want you, either."

Roberts, who earlier voiced concerns that board members had not approached her about any issues they had with her leadership, later thanked her colleagues for selecting her as chair.

"There is no one more surprised than I at this moment," Roberts said.

She also told Cogdell that if he had a point he wanted to make in the future, to give her a call.

Monday's swearing-in formally kicked off what will undoubtedly be another challenging year for the county.

Mecklenburg, as well as many other local governments, is still struggling with lingering effects from a recession that led to layoffs of county workers and deep cuts to services like schools and libraries.

Some have said it could be years before the county's tax revenues return to the levels of a few years ago. On top of that, the county in 2011 is resetting property values for the first time since 2003, with many homeowners worried about the impact on their tax bills.

Many commissioners said Monday that the board generally reaches bipartisan - and often unanimous - consensus on issues. But the board split along party lines this summer in approving the 2010-11 budget, and next year's budget also could be divisive.

During this year's elections, many Republican candidates said they wanted to find more ways to cut spending while setting a "revenue neutral" tax rate, where the county collects the same amount of money through property taxes as this year - even if tax valuations change.

But Democrats were leery of committing to any budget decisions, saying it could be months before the county gets numbers on property tax values and sales taxes.

On Monday, all commissioners forecast tough decisions for the board. Republican Neil Cooksey said the county had gotten rid of a lot of "low-hanging fruit" in the past two budgets, and said he'd like to do a department-by-department look at expenses.

Another issue looming in the next year will be how to redraw local election districts once the results of the 2010 Census come in.




Roberts "Mysteriously" Re-elected Commission Chair, Pendergraph Named Vice-Chair


Jennifer Roberts was unanimously elected chairman of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners tonight, overcoming an effort to nominate fellow Democrat Harold Cogdell to the post.

Also tonight, Republican Jim Pendergraph was elected vice chairman of the county board. This is Pendergraph's first term as commissioner.

Roberts admitted her re-election tonight came as a surprise, because Cogdell was believed to be making a run for the top leadership role on the board. Some commissioners said Cogdell had agreed to support Pendergraph as vice chair if the board's four Republicans backed him as chair. But Cogdell said tonight there was no deal made.

Cogdell was nominated for chair tonight by Republican Karen Bentley, but asked that his name be withdrawn.

Republican Neil Cooksey then nominated Roberts as chair, Pendergraph as vice chair.




Cogdell To Colleagues: "I Have Votes To Unseat Roberts"


Hours before tonight's vote on who will lead Mecklenburg County commissioners, commissioner Harold Cogdell Jr. has told two colleagues that he appears to have the votes to unseat chairman - and fellow Democrat - Jennifer Roberts.

"He has decided that he's going to seek the chairmanship ... and he thinks he has the votes for it," Democratic commissioner Dumont Clarke told the Observer.

Cogdell, who previously served as commissioners' vice chair, could not be reached.

On a board that will have five Democrats and four Republicans, Cogdell has apparently been trying to line up the GOP votes in a deal that would make Republican Jim Pendergraph vice chair.

Commissioner George Dunlap said Cogdell told him today he would vote for Pendergraph if the board Republicans back Cogdell as chair.

Pendergraph said today he expects Cogdell to win.

"I'm probably going to vote for Harold," he said. "We're all smart enough we can add to five. No one's going to challenge someone unless they feel they can win. And I'd be surprised if he doesn't."

Roberts said this afternoon she still hadn't heard from Cogdell, despite having left several messages.

"It's all up to Harold," she said when asked about her chances of re-election.

Roberts, the leading vote-getter in last month's election, is trying to win a third term as chair. It was unclear today how the votes will fall.

Democrat Vilma Leake, who said she was "still praying" over the decision, said she's "going to do what's right."

On her Facebook page, Roberts has said she hoped Cogdell would not give in to "a personal power play."

In a Sunday post, she added: "I have been re-reading Julius Caesar to remind myself that ambition is as old as mankind. I will continue to stay strong no matter what happens, and to know that there is a higher power than any of this earthly stuff."





Jennifer Roberts, Part Of The Problem


I think I’m done cutting Roberts any slack on this DSS mess. For her to obstruct and slam the attempts of other commissioners to find out what is going on with county’s massive, $200m. DSS operation is too much.

And for Roberts to suggest that a closed session airing of DSS’s dirty laundry is not her preferred way to go is an insult to the intelligence of all Mecklenburg County taxpayers.

The only reason Commissioner Bill James and the other GOPers are suggesting the closed session route is in response the “disclosure” stonewall County Manager Harry Jones has erected around the investigation — a construction effort aided and abetted by Jennifer Roberts. Fine. Let’s hear DSS chief Mary Wilson answer questions in open session. Super. Next.

It will also be interesting to see if Commissioner George Dunlap’s confirmation that a federal grand jury probe is underway of DSS shakes anything new loose. Why it took a full month for the probe’s existence to be reported remains a mystery, but at least everyone in town has caught up to the story.

However, it would be wrong to assume that the probe will result in any indictments, both as a matter of fairness and institutional inertia. Prosecutors are political animals and will require some slam-dunk, smoking gun type evidence of wrongdoing for them to move on a DSS devoid, until very recently, of adult supervision of its funds.

On the third hand, not all gross mismanagement rises to the level of criminality. This is why the county commission must itself reestablish public trust in one of its largest ongoing budget expenses. Jennifer Roberts needs to help that process or get out of the way.




Jennifer Roberts Warns Harold Cogdell Of "Implications" If He Tries To Take Her Seat

In a surprise move, Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Commissioner Harold Cogdell is apparently trying to unseat fellow Democrat Jennifer Roberts as board chair by striking a deal with Republicans.

The maneuvering carries implications beyond the chairman title. Roberts sent commissioners an e-mail this week asking them to avoid "back room" negotiations in which they would support board members for a leadership post in exchange for votes on budget spending priorities.

On Friday, Roberts said Cogdell has promised Republicans he would vote to make Republican Jim Pendergraph vice chair if they support his bid for chairman. Democrats hold a 5-4 majority on the panel.



"Harold Cogdell will come round to realize that now is not the time for a personal power play," Roberts said on her Facebook page. "It is not time to be divisive and to succumb to personal ambition and backroom deal making that does not serve those who elected us."

Cogdell declined comment. Pendergraph, Mecklenburg's former sheriff who won his seat in November, also refused to discuss the matter.

"We'll have to see how it plays out," Pendergraph said before declining further comment.

Commissioners will reorganize the board, electing a chair and vice chair, during a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

The commission chair, typically the most visible leader of the majority party, will help set Mecklenburg's agenda as the county confronts budget deficits and resets property values for the first time since 2003. The position pays $27,962, about $5,000 more than pay for other commissioners.

Cogdell's challenge represents a potential setback for Roberts, who has been board chair for four years. On Thursday, she said she had met recently with the board Democrats and all of them - including Cogdell - pledged to reappoint her. But Roberts said neither Cogdell nor board Republicans have returned phone calls.

She said if Cogdell wins, it would serve as a distraction to commissioners and erode trust with the public, since Roberts was the top vote-getter in the November general election. Cogdell finished third behind Pendergraph.

Historically, Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Commissioners have selected the candidate receiving the most votes as chair and the second-place finisher from the majority party as vice chair.

But a break with tradition is not unprecedented. In 1997, commissioner Hoyle Martin helped oust fellow Democrat Parks Helms as chairman and won the vice chair post for himself. Republican Tom Bush replaced Helms.

Four years ago, Helms said he wanted to serve as board chair, despite Roberts' winning the most votes in the at-large race. Roberts said she met twice with Helms before he withdrew from consideration.

An attorney and former Charlotte city councilman, Cogdell won his seat on the board of commissioners in 2008, and served as board vice chair, even though fellow Democrat Dan Murrey finished with more votes.

On Monday, Roberts sent an e-mail to commissioners saying she would vote for Cogdell to remain vice chair. "We trust and understand each other," Roberts wrote. She also said Pendergraph wants to claim the post.

Her e-mail also warned commissioners against secret deal-making.

"I understand there has been back room conversation about Vice Chair," Roberts wrote. "There may be promises being made but I would encourage everyone to remain flexible on any budget promises, as there is so much we do not know yet about our challenges ahead."

On Friday, Roberts said she was "disappointed" Cogdell would challenge her for the chair position.

"There will be implications he has not considered," she said. "I am hoping he will change his mind."


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Sources: Charmeck.org, Daily Kos, John Locke Foundation, McClatchy Newspapers, Meck Deck Blog, NCheroes.org, WCNC, Google Maps

Carol Moseley Braun vs Rahm Emanuel: Black Voters

Carol Moseley Braun Adds Heavy-Hitters To Campaign


Former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun has given her mayoral bid a big but potentially controversial boost -- by signing a pair of seasoned campaign architects with winning track records and close ties to Mayor Daley and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The surprise hiring of Victor Reyes -- Daley's onetime political enforcer and Hispanic Democratic Organization chieftain -- and Mike Noonan, a former Madigan political aide, could allow Braun to climb into the top tier of mayoral candidates.

But it also could prove a stumbling block in efforts to establish her independence to voters looking for change.

"Many people are looking for someone who can represent the interests of those people who have been denied access in the past," said Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th). "When you bring in an organization that is thought to be tied at the hip with those people who were in power, that leaves a bad taste in the mouth."

Reyes, who was implicated but never indicted in the city hiring scandal, said he signed on with Braun because her polling numbers are better than all of the other black candidates combined and because he firmly believes she has the best chance to build the coalition it will take to win.

Noonan will serve as Braun's campaign manager. The former director of Madigan's legislative campaigns, Noonan helped elect Lisa Madigan attorney general and Todd Stroger County Board president and piloted Ald. Bernie Stone's successful 50th Ward re-election bid in 2007.

Reyes' will be a senior adviser. Noonan and Reyes work together at Roosevelt Media, a media and political consulting firm.

"You can't win for mayor without a coalition," Reyes said. "I've talked to some of the Hispanic candidates. They believe Carol can get into the runoff and that she will be much more progressive on issues important to the Hispanic community. Twenty percent of votes cast will be Hispanic; 42 percent will be African American. If you put those voting blocs together with gays and women, that's a winning coalition."

Sources said a recent poll conducted for black business leaders showed former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel in the mid-20s; Sheriff Tom Dart at roughly 12 percent; Braun at 11 percent and state Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) at 5 percent.

"Carol is demonstrating that she has the deepest and broadest support among African-American candidates," Noonan said.

African-American aldermen struggling to find a consensus black mayoral candidate were troubled by Braun's move.

"There will be certain people in the community who are very skeptical about her choice of teams because of their close alignment with the [Daley] administration. It certainly will hurt her in some quarters," Lyle said.

Daley's approval rating tumbled to a record low of 35 percent before he announced last month that he would not seek re-election.

Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) added, "Carol is a 5th Ward resident, traditionally an independent ward. To go with the old guard standbys is a little disappointing."

Ald. Carrie Austin (34th) said she's willing to give Braun the benefit of the doubt: "She's probably trying to get the best one to run a good campaign for her."

The Hispanic Democratic Organization was at the center of the scandal that culminated in the 2006 conviction of Daley's former patronage chief on charges of rigging city hiring, promotions and overtime to benefit pro-Daley armies of political workers.

Reyes was implicated first as an unidentified "co-schemer" in the alleged conspiracy to reward soldiers in the mayor's political army, then by name in a court filing.

The document described allegations that Reyes continued to exercise substantial influence in personnel decisions, even after he left City Hall in 2000; held meetings in his City Hall office to arrange promotions for politically active employees, and gave marching orders to pro-Daley armies made up of city employees.

He was never indicted and refused to discuss the scandal Thursday.

"I've led a career based on helping to empower the Hispanic community. I've done it for 20 years. I'm going to continue to do it," Reyes said.

Braun's spokeswoman, Renee Ferguson, said the former senator chose Noonan and Reyes because she must build an organization from "ground zero" and is determined to "reach out to all communities."

She's not concerned that the taint of the scandal will tarnish her campaign, Ferguson said.

"When they investigate you and investigate you and bring millions of dollars to bear and you're not indicted, you don't go down -- that means you're cleared," she said.










Emanuel Makes It Official: He's Running For Chicago Mayor


Rahm Emanuel officially announced Saturday what everyone has known since he quit his job as White House chief of staff, hugged President Barack Obama and returned to Chicago: He's in.

To the surprise of no one, Emanuel, who has long talked about his desire to be mayor, told a packed auditorium at a school on Chicago's North Side that he is running to succeed retiring Mayor Richard Daley. The election is Feb. 22.

Emanuel represented the city's North Side in Congress before he went to the White House. He has been actively campaigning in the city since his return about two months ago.

"Only the opportunity to help President Obama as his chief of staff could have pried me away from here," Emanuel said Saturday. "And only the opportunity to lead this city could have pried me away from the president's side."

Since his return, Emanuel also has been courting donors who can add to the $1.2 million left from his congressional campaign fund.

He is one of about a half dozen candidates who have either formally announced or are about to.

State Sen. James Meeks and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis have similar events scheduled Sunday, and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun is expected to announce in the next week or so. Former city schools President Gery Chico and City Clerk Miguel del Valle have already declared they're running.

But Emanuel has emerged as the front-runner, in part because of his money and national profile and because other high-profile candidates, such as Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, have dropped out.

During his announcement speech, Emanuel pledged not to raise taxes and to award city contracts to the lowest bidder.

"Our first responsibility is to make the tough choices that have been avoided too long because of politics and inertia," he said.





Carol Moseley Braun's Campaign Reveals Anti-Rahm 'Strategy': Provoking His Temper


This weekend, Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Danny Davis and Carol Moseley Braun are all set to formally announce their bids for mayor. But, as most Chicagoans know, the campaign season has already begun.

On Thursday, CBS 2 Chicago's Jay Levine spoke to Braun Strategist Mike Noonan--who admitted an interesting campaign move on the air:

"It is standard practice in politics for those who are known to have short tempers, to be pushed because, you know, when a guy like that's buttons are pushed we expect to see a reaction and that kind of reaction is what we believe the people Chicago are not going to like," Noonan said.

Noonan, a former political aide to House Speaker Michael Madigan, also helped McCook Mayor Jeff Tobolski defeat Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica in the Nov. 2 elections. Peraica ended up being arrested toward the end of the campaign, so perhaps Noonan knows a thing or two about inciting aggressive behavior.

But, as Levine said following the interview with Noonan, Chicago has yet to see Emanuel's temper, calling him a "model of reason and restraint."

"So much for a plan to address the challenges the city faces," Emanuel's communications director Ben LaBolt wrote in an email to HuffPost Chicago, in response to the Braun campaign's plan.

Even CBS 2 anchor Walter Jacobson seemed perplexed by Noonan's statement:

"That does not sound like a very smart strategy to me, letting us all know that what Braun plans to do is try to provoke Emanuel into a fit of temper, why tell us all?"

Emanuel has had limited contact with reporters since he returned to Chicago, and barely batted an eye when someone threw an egg at him in the Little Village neighborhood this week.




Carol Moseley Braun Announces Mayoral Exploratory Committee



Former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun announced Monday she is forming an exploratory committee to begin collecting signatures in the race for mayor.

A citizen's group called Carol for Chicago announced plans for a petition drive to push for Moseley Braun for mayor, and she was there to confirm she will form an exploratory committee.

As she greeted her supporters at the press conference, she said she wanted time to meet with potential voters and find out what issues are important to them.

Moseley Braun also touted her work on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and experience running a business, saying she will be well prepared to help the economy of Chicago and foster growth.

She also said, on the issue of violence, it is important to get to youth early and help them find jobs and good role models.

Moseley Braun was the first and only African-American female elected to the Senate, and served one term before she was defeated by Republican Peter Fitzgerald in 2000.

She was a prosecutor in the U.S Attorney's Office and served in the U.S House of Representatives before becoming senator.

Moseley Braun suffered some political setbacks when she was investigated for some missing campaign funds, a friendship with a Nigerian dictator and had an unsuccessful presidential campaign.

After serving in the Senate, Moseley Braun served as the ambassador to New Zealand and has lately been running Ambassador Organics, an organic beverage company, selling pesticide-free coffee, tea and spices.

All candidates for mayor must file 12,500 valid signatures by Nov. 22 to appear on the ballot in February.





African-American Chicago Mayoral Vote Could Be Splintered

A group of African American political activists in Chicago got together to try to find one strong African American candidate to back for mayor. The process--a bit drawn out--did not yield that result.

Chicago Sun-Times report on the coalition deciding to back Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) after announcing a few days before their top two finalists--former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) and Board of Tax Review's Larry Rogers.

Meanwhile, state Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago), is running for mayor no matter what. Rogers is the least known of the four and its not known if he would have the resources to run on his own.

Moseley Braun is running no matter what.

So instead of one African American candidate, there are at least three. That's now how Harold Washington won election as Chicago's first African American mayor.


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Sources: Chicago Sun Times, Huffington Post, MSNBC, My Fox Chicago, Politics Daily, Youtube, Google Maps