@BlogKCThe race between Beth Gottstein and Doug Gamble for 4th District At-Large has become the most contentious of the election. First there was Beth’s alleged allegation that Doug hired Jeff Roe. Shortly after that Beth’s campaign changed course by replacing campaign manager Pat Gray with Enrique Chaurand, although there is rumored to be some debate over whether Gray was fired or walked away. Then rumors that Beth was telling people Doug was a Republican, despite an endorsement from GLBT Democats.
Most recently, Joe Miller reports that last night Beth randomly slammed Doug for his 5% stake in a company applying for TIF to redevelop the Plaza Holiday Inn into an office building.
Yup. It totally backfired on her. I was on the fence in that campaign, not sure whether I’d vote for Gottstein or Gamble. After Gamble totally kicked ber butt during the forum by providing answers of substance to her vapid platitudes (my fave was “I want to bring together the haves and have nots.” Um, isn’t she a rich socialite or something?), I was pretty much leaning hevily toward him
But her nasty little attack made up my mind. The crowd hated it and it totally backfired on her.
I’ve talked to the guy several times. I don’t think he’s a Republican or a Democrat. (I’ll let you read between the lines on that one.)
It’s OK to discuss a candidate’s TIF ties. It’s something important that voters should know about. The media should have informed peole that Janice Ellis lived in a TIFed condo while running for mayor.
Unfortunately the way Beth did this was shitty and classless. It reeks of cowardice and desparation to do it at the last minute. Even more so because Doug has been usually been quick to disclose it himself at most debates going back to the beginning of the campaign. Beth made it sound like she was dropping a bombshell, but anyone who has followed the race already knows about. It was obvious that she was just trying to score some cheap points and not interested in a sincere discussion of the issue.
bksider is correct on the facts. Although I may not agree on their interpretation of whether it backfired or if Gamble provided a better counter. I do wish the funkettes like bluegirlkc would at least make a little effor to educate themselves before yelling the usual “fire’ on all these forums. It’s got to be embarrassing. And the prejudicial slurs like “isn’t she a rich socialite, or something?” Come on, she’s Jewish. Isn’t that what you really meant? I’m not a Gamble fan, nor a Beth fan. My guys out of this race. So my beef rest with ye of little intellegence or whose compendium on social and ethical and religious tolerence consists of little more than a newsprint coloring comic book of “My Favorite bible Stories”.
You gotta love a guy who calls all of us “ye of little intelligence” while spelling intelligence incorrectly (see above).
“I do wish the funkettes like bluegirlkc would at least make a little effor to educate themselves before yelling the usual “fire’ on all these forums. It’s got to be embarrassing.”
Stan,
Arrogant much?
I read up on the candidates and go to numerous candidate forums before I vote. Pray tell, does Stanny have a better idea on how a voter should get informed? Is there a Stan Koolaid that will give me all the answers?
And, no, socialite doen’t mean “Jewish” (little defensive, are we?) – it means rich + doesn’t work. The Kansas City Star called Gottstein a socialite (see link below) but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to track down her personal info. Maybe I’ll ask her for her income tax returns and bank statements at the next forum. (Oh, and I have no idea what your reference to Bible stories is supposed to mean, but I’m not Christian and I have very little use for any info about any candidate’s religion as long as they don’t plan to foist it on me while they’re in office, a la GW.)
I was simply offering my opinion on Gottstein’s last-10-seconds slam at her opponent. I agree that TIF info needs to come out, but the way she did it was nasty and showed very little class.
Oh, and just a little hint, Stanny. If you plan to insult other posters’ i-n-t-e-l-l-i-g-e-n-c-e, you should at least learn to spell the word. Maybe you can copy it down form my post and keep it on a crumpled sheet of paper in your pocket for next time you want to spout off. (Oh, and here’s how you spell tolerance: t-o-l-e-r-a-n-c-e.)
http://buzzblog.kcstar.com/?q=node/245
Funny … I never knew “rich socialite” was a anti-semitic slur. Classist maybe.
So far I haven’t heard of her faith being an issue. I’ve heard she’s uninformed about the issues, and she’s decided to go negative against Gamble. But I’ve yet to hear anyone say she shouldn’t be elected because she Jewish. Just because Gottstein has been fairly criticized doesn’t make her critics anti-semitic.
And if anti-semitism were so rampant, shouldn’t we be seeing bigoted remarks being made in the 4th in-district races?
In short, “ye of little intellegence” Stan, cram it.
I have been to several forums with both candidates. I literally sat in between them at the Volker neighborhood forum.
Ms. Gottstein attacked me for disagreeing with her about legal challenges to the light rail ballot proposal. Mr. Gamble attacked me for being a KU man. (grin)
Doug Gamble has shown me nothing but class in this campaign. The TIF issue in my opinion is a non-starter. Joe Miller correctly points out that it’s a 5% stake in a development.
I am completely confident that any nastiness in this campaign is not coming from the Gamble camp. For that matter it’s probably not coming from the Gottstein camp either. There are lots of people out there with a stake in the makeup of this council. Don’t let rumor and innuendo muddy the water. Go to a forum. Go to their websites. Make your own informed decision.
The TIF issue in my opinion is a non-starter. Joe Miller correctly points out that it’s a 5% stake in a development.
Can someone explain Gambles TIF involvement? I have seen some folks say he made money on the deal and others say the TIF didn’t make him a dime, because the project isn’t completed.
Anyone know what the real story is?
Doug is in the pocket of the anti-transit Westport/Broadway council…
Go to their websites. Make your own informed decision.
Easier said than done. Less than two weeks from the election Beth still has virtually zero information on her web site. The Internet the primary means of information gathering for an increasing number of voters, so not using it ot promote your candidacy is in effect writing off a growing part of the electorate.
Yeah, I noticed that too…but it doesn’t ensure that those who give more information are necessarally being honest…
I am more concerned with substance and even inference than I am with spelling. Patrick, no, “rich socialite” in and of itself is not an anti-semitc comment, it’s and ignorant comment. Just like “cram it” is an immature comment. As for those who are preoccupied with my correct spelling, when it’s required, I fall back on spell check like most who use a computer rather than a Smith-Corona typewriter with a dictionary at their side these days. When someone says,”besides, isn’t she some rich socialite?” I have to wonder what the heck is that supposed to mean? Do you have to be “poor bum” to have any credibility? I can only conclude it’s form someone with some huge chip on their shoulder. I have to wonder if one is pre-judgemental becuase of one’s alleged economic status, what’s next? Race? Gender? Religion? Sexual orientation? As for information on these candidates, did not any of you spelling fanatics read the Citizen’s Association questionaires? In most cases, you could gleam a lot more from those than at a lot of forums. Her web site (one page) sucks for sure, but It didn’t take two minutes to find out her education (B.S. in Poly Sci and Masters is Public Admin. And her work history. Most recently left the Hispanic Economic Development Corp to run for Council. And when I first started looking at all these multi-candidate district races 3+ months ago, I called them up, emailed them and got some face time with each of them. It’s not rocket science. As for the TIF arguement, it’s a small piece of the equation when it comes to the needs to be addressed in this City. It is overshadowing other topics that we should be getting details views on from these candidates.In any case, I do my homework. Ans I will have an active dialogue with my new City Council person as I have in the past. So,now, please correct any spelling or gramatical errors if it makes you feel good.
Oh good. A “maturity” lecture from a guy who calls anyone who disagrees with him ignorant and bigoted.
Doug Gamble and class? I can’t disagree more. From the Friends for Gamble people who cheerfully broke the campaigning rules on Primary Day (the Gamble folks were the ones standing right next to my door – heck, they did everything but open the door for me) to the disgusting anti-Gottstein campaign flyer that appeared in my mailbox. What makes it disgusting? The not so subtle use of stereotypes and the cartoon like distorted image of Gottstein. Don’t get me wrong – I doubt Gottstein is the cure-all for Kansas City, but the two instances that I have experienced with The Friends for Doug Gamble have led me to vote for Gottstein this coming Tuesday. If Gamble truly had good ideas or leadership qualities, why would he and his people stoop to such junior-high flyers and cartoons?
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