Dave Rutherford considering running against Nenshi

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

The leftist elitism shows itself yet again and Rutherford hasnt even thrown in his hat, or even said anything about any policy ideas he has and people wonder why the NDP and Liberals dont win all the time.

Or yah know, he is catering to a group of voters who doesnt believe in Nenshi's style urbanism and density driven growth (its not just developers) in a city that isnt restrained by geography. But no, all those ideas that are different than Nenshi's are crazzzzzy and only idiots who didnt finish high school would vote for someone like that

Complains about stereo-typing and name-calling by stereo-typing Nenshi supporters and calling them names.

[longsuffering]

I laugh at some of the gyrations the anti-Nenshi crowd put themselves through to justify their stance when I suspect a large part of the reason they don't like the Mayor is the colour of his skin, his religion and (perhaps) his sexuality.

I know that none of the anti-Nenshi crowd that fall into this category post on this Board though, so please save your moral indignation, I'm not talking about you.

[Daradon]

Went to catch up to my last comments on this thread and realized it was a big fat fata.

I don't think I can say anything new at this point that other people haven't said here already. So no worries there. Just want to chuckle at anyone who thinks it would be a close election. Without even getting into the differences of policy, incumbent mayors rarely lose, and Nenshi is enjoying support not seen since Klein was mayor.

Even if Rutherford had some good ideas, he'd still probably get squashed. And since all he know how to do is point fingers and lay blame I figure he'd lose so bad he'd pull his campaign early.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

agreed...he would be the western equivalent to Rob Ford.

Can't wait for someone to dig up all the crazy things he's said on the radio over the years...

Ford is even the last part of his last name.

Coincidence?

[Senator Clay Davis]

So according to the Sun's poll of "average" Calgarians if an election were held today Rutherford would have 74% compared to 26% for Nenshi. Clearly Nenshi should simply resign and let Dave take over immediately.

[GGG]

I think it would be a lot closer than people think. Certainly closer than a normal mayor running for re-election. i would bet 65-35. There is a large conservative base in Calgary and rutherford would be heavily backed by the developers.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by GGG

I think it would be a lot closer than people think. Certainly closer than a normal mayor running for re-election. i would bet 65-35. There is a large conservative base in Calgary and rutherford would be heavily backed by the developers.

Rutherford ain't my favourite, but I would almost think him too volatile for the developers to get fully behind. He's a chance to beat Nenshi, but I don't really see him rolling over for them.

[Northendzone]

personally, i can't think anything nenshi has done to impress me.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

personally, i can't think anything nenshi has done to impress me.

How close do you pay attention to civic politics?

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I guess there was no hard and fast rule, but the minute you start lumping rags like that in with the New York Times or the Washington Post in university-level papers, it really thins the credibility of your argument unless, like you said, there is a really specific reason for using it as a source. For example, a paper on Calgary municipal politics. It was not even a consideration for topics such as international relations, political theory or foreign affairs (political science major obviously!)

In eight years of university, I also never once saw a professor favour the use of any Calgary newspapers, ever - Herald or the Sun. That's just my experience though.

Newspapers are kinda dicey anyways right? I mean they're not exactly peer reviewed.

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

personally, i can't think anything nenshi has done to impress me.

I wish I could say the same of most politicians. Means they are doing their job instead of trying to cause a scene. Seems most of the time when politicians impress people it's in a negative way.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

I laugh at some of the gyrations the anti-Nenshi crowd put themselves through to justify their stance when I suspect a large part of the reason they don't like the Mayor is the colour of his skin, his religion and (perhaps) his sexuality.

I know that none of the anti-Nenshi crowd that fall into this category post on this Board though, so please save your moral indignation, I'm not talking about you.

Oh I see, so anyone who opposes the mayor is probably a racist anti-homosexual redneck, oh and anti-religious where its convenient. While you say "some" I think you mean all.

Guess there's no point in debating anything with you, you're so totally correct on everything.

Good to see that you even have someone in your painting crew thanking you.

But we should all flock to Nemshi's banner on this board so lest we get burned at the stake of intolerance.

Awesome

[CaptainCrunch]

I think at the very least we need a close election, I voted for purple last time and I have my doubts about so easily throwing my vote for him this time.

I think he's become fairly arrogant, I think there is a spending problem at city hall, I think that city council has completely lost its poop in terms of focus.

It would be nice to have a close election.

Is Rutherford the guy? I don't know until he actually declares and lays out a platform that I can listen too.

But this city has a real democratic disconnect when it comes to incumbent mayors.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by GGG

I think it would be a lot closer than people think. Certainly closer than a normal mayor running for re-election. i would bet 65-35. There is a large conservative base in Calgary and rutherford would be heavily backed by the developers.

This was posted in the last thread, but it won't be that close. As one has already said, Rutherford is so out there that he probably pisses off a lot in the conservative base too. Definitely the more moderate ones.

He could also quite likely become a gaff machine.

I also think you are over estimating how strong the conservative base is in Calgary. This isn't rural Alberta we are talking about.

Lastly, whether or not it's a good thing, a lot of people vote for the incumbent in a mayoral election just cause.

It wouldn't be that close.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I think at the very least we need a close election, I voted for purple last time and I have my doubts about so easily throwing my vote for him this time.

I think he's become fairly arrogant, I think there is a spending problem at city hall, I think that city council has completely lost its poop in terms of focus.

It would be nice to have a close election.

Is Rutherford the guy? I don't know until he actually declares and lays out a platform that I can listen too.

But this city has a real democratic disconnect when it comes to incumbent mayors.

I agree with you that he comes across as boarderline arrogent. I interpet it as arrogent when I disagree with what he is saying and confident and refusing to tolerate stupidity when I agree with him.

I blame the spending issues on council rather than Nenshi. Early on in his term he tried to cut Police funding. Got the police to provide the impact of the cuts. Then council voted against the mayor and the cuts.

I think he definately needs to keep pusing every department for areas to cut.

He also was voted against in charging developers the full cost of Water Treatment etc. They made a sifnificant increase but didn't go all the way.

So on a few major issues its has been council that is refusing to cut rather than the mayor. One thing I do see with Nenshi is that their is focus on getting value for each dollar spent. I might not agree with the spending but I don't think we waste as much

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Oh I see, so anyone who opposes the mayor is probably a racist anti-homosexual redneck, oh and anti-religious where its convenient. While you say "some" I think you mean all.

Guess there's no point in debating anything with you, you're so totally correct on everything.

Good to see that you even have someone in your painting crew thanking you.

But we should all flock to Nemshi's banner on this board so lest we get burned at the stake of intolerance.

Awesome

While I am not talking about you or anyone else on this board (though maybe a few who have left or been kicked off) there is more intolerance out there than anyone may like to admit. And generally it does coalesce on the conservative side, because that's the whole point of conservatism, to cling to the past. Hence conservative.

The comments on Sun media page show this very well. I have talked to several people that think Nenshi is a no good Muslim who think he's doing shady things. There's that whole 'church' movement that was parked outside City Hall for a while, now on the other side of the street, that flies the Jewish flag and is promoting intolerance just based on Nenshi's color and religious views.

These people do exist, and there are more of them than one would think, and generally they do appear on the conservative side and vote for exactly those made up reasons. So while no one here might, I think it's a far more fair comment than you give it credit for.

No one is suggesting that people vote for Nenshi because of these reasons, only that, to be completely honest, there are people that vote against him for those reasons, there are more than you would think, and they are generally (mostly) conservative, as that is the side that generally espouses those values.

[rotten42]

Originally Posted by Daradon

While I am not talking about you or anyone else on this board (though maybe a few who have left or been kicked off) there is more intolerance out there than anyone may like to admit. And generally it does coalesce on the conservative side, because that's the whole point of conservatism, to cling to the past. Hence conservative.

The comments on Sun media page show this very well. I have talked to several people that think Nenshi is a no good Muslim who think he's doing shady things. There's that whole 'church' movement that was parked outside City Hall for a while, now on the other side of the street, that flies the Jewish flag and is promoting intolerance just based on Nenshi's color and religious views.

These people do exist, and there are more of them than one would think, and generally they do appear on the conservative side and vote for exactly those made up reasons. So while no one here might, I think it's a far more fair comment than you give it credit for.

No one is suggesting that people vote for Nenshi because of these reasons, only that, to be completely honest, there are people that vote against him for those reasons, there are more than you would think, and they are generally (mostly) conservative, as that is the side that generally espouses those values.

the conservatives are out to get you!

[Daradon]

^^^ What a well thought out reply and a massive misreading of my post.

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

I laugh at some of the gyrations the anti-Nenshi crowd put themselves through to justify their stance when I suspect a large part of the reason they don't like the Mayor is the colour of his skin, his religion and (perhaps) his sexuality.

I know that none of the anti-Nenshi crowd that fall into this category post on this Board though, so please save your moral indignation, I'm not talking about you.

Say what now?

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by The Goon

Say what now?

There have been rumours circulating for years that Nenshi may or may not be gay. AFAIK he has never commented on the subject either way because his private life should be no concern of the public's if it doesn't impact his ability to complete the duties required of his office.