By an anonymous reader
On the continued fight over forcing the Mayor to resign – It is not too smart to call a press conference, like the one Briggs, Frye and Gonzales called yesterday in an attempt to use the media to force San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to resign, then attack the media for asking legitimate questions.
I believe Bob Filner should resign for the good of San Diego, but if he survives this thing, it will be due to his opposition playing such heavy handed politics – from the left and the right – that the public decides this is all just another power grab and there is no difference between Bob and his adversaries.
There is only one way Filner will leave and that is when the women who were harassed step forward, state their case themselves, and put a face to the victims. Then and only then will the voters understand the magnitude of his behavior. I despise bullying and cruelty, and Filner’s treatment of people who worked for him or needed something from him over the years has been just that. But I also despise political manipulations and insincerity – using a tragedy like this mess for political gain.
From right-wing opportunism to left-wing self-righteousness, the real losers in this battle are the voters of San Diego, who once more must deal with an entire political class so immature and self-involved, they have forgotten the mission of all public servants – to be the voice and arm of governance for the voters who trust them to do their jobs.
This continued public spectacle only reinforces the cynicism voters have towards politics and politicians. That is not healthy skepticism, but instead a cancer on the American form of governance. And it needs to stop.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s smart if the real motive (?) is to raise negotiating stakes for a client or a right-wing cabal determined to rid the city of a progressive Mayor!
Or to fulfill Todd Gloria’s political ambitions….. I too say let them come forward. Let him face his accusers…but right now, this is looking eerily similar to the hatchet job bestowed upon Mike Aguirre.
I dont want to speculate about the charges, or to defend a possible sexist dick, but about mike aguirre, dude I was thinking the same thing.
Thanks for anonymously posting that the two press conferences already held by a couple of lawyers and a shouting ex-Councilwoman accusing the Mayor of sexual harassment of anonymous female victims were a really bad idea. We can all agree on that point.
But I disagree that the Mayor should step down. He has only been in office for seven months and has accomplished much good in that time, shifting the balance of power toward people and neighborhoods and away from downtown special interests.He was elected to a four-year term. I am confident he will modify any offensive personal behaviors and continue to lead the city.
I also disagree that this is about simple “political manipulation and insincerity”
perpetrated by an “immature and self-involved political class.” I think it’s more serious and vicious than insincerity and narcissism.
There are factions in this town used to wielding Absolute Influence as well as venal ambitious politicians from both political parties who lack conviction. All of them see Filner as a threat to their hegemony and have been working tirelessly, both behind the scenes and publicly, to prevent and/or undo his election to office. With his behavior suddenly in question, Filner unfortunately has provided them an opening.
But Filner doesn’t resign from work: the only way he’ll leave office prematurely is with a recall. Recall is extremely expensive and very risky because, after enduring this undemocratic public shaming worthy of Salem, he may be regarded as an underdog and get more votes in a recall than he ever had in the general election. I certainly would be among those voting for him.
I agree with what you write Frances!!!! When two lawyers (and an ex-Councilperson) put on multiple “press conferences” say nothing except to make charges, it winds up smelling like a kangaroo court in the press to accomplish something else!
Where’s the beef?
It appears there are conspiracy theorists on both sides. I tend to believe the Mayor’s hypersexuality is related to early-onset Alzheimer’s or other brain disorder.
See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23297146
Could his attorney or advisors please get him appropriate medical attention?!
I think you are absolutely right.