Dennis needs to retire and go away. 

26 minutes ago, freefourur said:

Dennis needs to retire and go away. 

Kucinich had one issue to hang his mayoral stint in 1978-79:  Muny Light.  The rest of his tenure as mayor was chaos.  With the ability to purchase electricity from other suppliers at rates lower than what can be purchased from either First Energy and Muny Light, the electrical supplier issue doesn't carry the impact that it did over 40 years ago. 

 

After his two years as mayor, what did he accomplish?  A short stint back on city council and two years in the state senate.  He decided to "walk the state" to try to become governor.  In 1996, he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.  During that 16-year tenure, he was the sponsor of only 3 pieces of legislation that were no more than ceremonial, token measures.  What did he introduce to Congress to help Cleveland and Northern Ohio?  (hint:  nothing)  Oh, he did do something while in Congress as he ran for president in 2004 and 2008.  For all his bluster about going after big, bad business, he was able to "play the game" and to make the most of the presidential campaign funding.  He was able to "benefit" personally, until he got caught and had to pay it back.

 

He should go back to focusing on aliens; the kind that are not of this world.

1 hour ago, LifeLongClevelander said:

After his two years as mayor, what did he accomplish?  A short stint back on city council and two years in the state senate.  He decided to "walk the state" to try to become governor. 

 

Wasn't that Eric Fingerhut? Or was there in fact two politicians this dumb? 

1 hour ago, surfohio said:

 

Wasn't that Eric Fingerhut? Or was there in fact two politicians this dumb? 

Then there are two politicians that dumb with sore feet, worn out shoes and nothing to show for it.

On Dennis.... His stand against CEI / Cleveland Trust in the 70s certainly looks better with age and you have to give him credit for it.

 

Still, his speech yesterday didn't mention any economic development issues at all which was a little frightening.

Edited June 15, 20213 yr by mu2010

20 hours ago, mu2010 said:

Still, his speech yesterday didn't mention any economic development issues at all which was a little frightening.

When he was a Congressman, his GOP colleague Steven LaTourette was famously more efficient in bringing home the pork to his district.  Dennis couldn't be bothered since he was only obsessed with his name on the national stage running for President.    If he manages to get elected, we can be assured his administration will be a continuation of Frank Jackson's long nap.....Dennis will keep all the same players in top positions and phone it in.

4 minutes ago, Cleburger said:

If he manages to get elected, we can be assured his administration will be a continuation of Frank Jackson's long nap.....Dennis will keep all the same players in top positions and phone it in.

 

Ha, that's actually not the worst outcome I can envision if he gets elected. I can envision him grinding all development and investment to a halt by launching a dumbed-down populist war against the idea of the public-private partnership. 

Can Justin Bibb’s ‘change’ campaign reverse a 15-year slide in Cleveland voter turnout?

MARK OPREAJUNE 14, 2021

 

On a cool evening in early May, Justin Bibb is out knocking on doors, canvassing a series of blocks on Cleveland’s far west side with his 31-year-old campaign manager Ryan Puente, the former executive director of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. In his pearl-colored Walter Hagen polo, bright gold wristwatch and tortoiseshell specs, Bibb, a candidate for mayor, resembles more of an espresso-drinking coastal architect than your typical Rust Belt politician. As he jogs from door-to-door, Bibb shouts loudly through his facemask: “Hi! I’m Justin Bibb! I’m running for Mayor of Cleveland!”

 

As Bibb tours the block, as he will do nightly until the September 14 primary, he entertains a range of responses. Some residents have already settled on Dennis Kucinich as their candidate. Others recognize Bibb’s smile from a Zoom talk, and are intrigued by his bold policy ideas or his unwavering eye contact. And for those who don’t recognize him at all, Bibb lays on his full-voiced pitch—“I want to bring new energy, fresh ideas to City Hall”—coupled with an ear for the big concerns of the neighborhood, from community policing to securing a city-wide recycling contract. 

 

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/can-justin-bibbs-change-campaign-reverse-a-15-year-slide-in-cleveland-voter-turnout

 

That's my pup. The first (and likely only) yard sign we'll ever put in front of our house. 

^ Nice paint! Is that SW Grays Harbor with Zurich White by any chance?

On 6/15/2021 at 1:10 PM, mu2010 said:

Still, his speech yesterday didn't mention any economic development issues at all which was a little frightening.

 

5 hours ago, Cleburger said:

When he was a Congressman, his GOP colleague Steven LaTourette was famously more efficient in bringing home the pork to his district.  Dennis couldn't be bothered since he was only obsessed with his name on the national stage running for President.    If he manages to get elected, we can be assured his administration will be a continuation of Frank Jackson's long nap.....Dennis will keep all the same players in top positions and phone it in.

 

5 hours ago, mu2010 said:

Ha, that's actually not the worst outcome I can envision if he gets elected. I can envision him grinding all development and investment to a halt by launching a dumbed-down populist war against the idea of the public-private partnership. 

 

Around 2005, a large Federal agency was going to pull out of Cleveland.  Kucinich and Tubbs-Jones didn't do anything to try to stop it.  LaTourette put his office to work on challenging the findings and found that incorrect numbers were used in making the original decision.  That agency, at the time, employed about 1100 employees directly plus another 1300-1400 contractors.  Due to LaTourette's efforts, the decision was changed and the agency stayed, in fact jobs from other cities came to Cleveland as a result. About 5 years later, that agency in-sourced many of those contractors.  LaTourette knew how devastating the loss of around 2500 jobs would be for the area, let alone Cleveland.  He saw the bigger picture, even though his congressional district did not include any part of Cleveland and only a small part of Cuyahoga County.

 

When banks were pulling out their operations and headquarters in Cleveland, where was Kucinich in trying to get them to stay?  How many hundreds (probably thousands) of jobs were lost?   He didn't bother to do anything about those losses and this area lost more jobs.  He probably didn't care due to his dislike of banks in general.  Does this area and Cleveland need him and his concepts of government again?  We may never know how much his "leadership" on the local level has hurt Cleveland.

Edited June 16, 20213 yr by LifeLongClevelander

11 minutes ago, LifeLongClevelander said:

 

 

 

Around 2005, a large Federal agency was going to pull out of Cleveland.  Kucinich and Tubbs-Jones didn't do anything to try to stop it.  LaTourette put his office to work on challenging the findings and found that incorrect numbers were used in making the original decision.  That agency, at the time, employed about 1100 employees directly plus another 1300-1400 contractors.  Due to LaTourette's efforts, the decision was changed and the agency stayed, in fact jobs from other cities came to Cleveland as a result. About 5 years later, that agency in-sourced many of those contractors.  LaTourette knew how devastating the loss of around 2500 jobs would be for the area, let alone Cleveland.  He saw the bigger picture, even though his congressional district did not include any part of Cleveland and only a small part of Cuyahoga County.

 

When banks were pulling out their operations and headquarters in Cleveland, where was Kucinich in trying to get them to stay?  How many hundreds (probably thousands) of jobs were lost?   He didn't bother to do anything about those losses and this area lost more jobs.  He probably didn't care due to his dislike of banks in general.  Does this area and Cleveland need him and his concepts of government again?  We may never know how much his "leadership" on the local level has hurt Cleveland.

 

To be fair, Lou Stokes would have kept DFIS here.  Losing them probably wouldn't have even been discussed if he was in the majority party as LaTourette was.   But it would have been more a raw politics approach, not SL's facts and figures....and we would likely not have added those jobs.    Also TBH, Steve had a decent chunk of Cuyahoga County, as far in as SW Maple Heights where I lived.  Just none of the city.   All Dennis and STJ were good for was rallies and protests that did zero good.

More key, 2008-9.    Democratic majority.  National City Bank was absorbed by PNC with federal help.   Why?   Because P****burgh had two veteran savvy Congressmen, Cleveland had Dennis and the equally ineffective Marcia Fudge.

What Dennis did best was grandstand and constituent service.  Great at both.   He was in his element as a fringe member of the Congressional minority.  Hell, he had Rick Nagin working for him.   Can't get much more fringe than that.

As mayor?  Not only no, but hell no.  He is probably the least effective unindicted executive officeholder in US history.  The only thing he really accomplished, besides arguably CPP, was making a Republican electable.

At this point, since Jeff isn't running someone will have to convince me not to vote for Zack.   It could be Zack that does the convincing LOL.

1 hour ago, E Rocc said:

 

To be fair, Lou Stokes would have kept DFIS here.  Losing them probably wouldn't have even been discussed if he was in the majority party as LaTourette was.   But it would have been more a raw politics approach, not SL's facts and figures....and we would likely not have added those jobs.    Also TBH, Steve had a decent chunk of Cuyahoga County, as far in as SW Maple Heights where I lived.  Just none of the city.   All Dennis and STJ were good for was rallies and protests that did zero good.

More key, 2008-9.    Democratic majority.  National City Bank was absorbed by PNC with federal help.   Why?   Because P****burgh had two veteran savvy Congressmen, Cleveland had Dennis and the equally ineffective Marcia Fudge.

What Dennis did best was grandstand and constituent service.  Great at both.   He was in his element as a fringe member of the Congressional minority.  Hell, he had Rick Nagin working for him.   Can't get much more fringe than that.

As mayor?  Not only no, but hell no.  He is probably the least effective unindicted executive officeholder in US history.  The only thing he really accomplished, besides arguably CPP, was making a Republican electable.

At this point, since Jeff isn't running someone will have to convince me not to vote for Zack.   It could be Zack that does the convincing LOL.

You hit a lot of points.  LaTourette got to the bottom of the numbers that were used, found major errors and got the decision changed.  Kucinich and Tubbs-Jones did nothing.  Both of those two were only good at making noise.  I don't recall any legislation that Tubbs-Jones sponsored either.  I also recall that LaTourette got a major defense contract changed that had to do for special coating.  He pointed out that a local company made the same kind of product that was on a contract originally going to a foreign company.  Not only was the supplier from this area, but it was less expensive, too.  He spearheaded the move towards supporting awarding contracts to domestic companies.  Nothing like that was ever accomplished by Kucinich.

 

As for Kucinich's administration, they were all ineffective and inexperienced.  He had something like FOUR police chiefs in his two year term.  He fired Hongisto after six weeks on the job.  The firing happened on live television and that event triggered the recall election that Kucinich nearly lost.  After he lost his re-election bid to Voinovich, I happened to cross paths with someone who was one of Kucinich's major advisors.  This person had no business being significant advisor to a big-city mayor.  The lack of that person's relevant experience and knowledge was plain to see.    

 

Another point on the nothing that Kucinich accomplished in Congress was introducing legislation to help Cleveland.  In 2009-2010, the Democratic Party held an unstoppable majority in Congress.  Everything that any Democrat wanted passed and signed into law was done.  He and Fudge (another one who did little after replacing Tubbs-Jones) could have easily introduced legislation to fund RTA's rail car replacement.  The replacement rail cars would have already been in service for seven or eight years by now.  RTA wouldn't be saddled with its worn-out fleets where they have to scrounge parts to keep fewer and fewer cars in service.  The system wouldn't be forced to cobble together the funding they are seeking now.

Here's the list of people who submitted petitions for Cleveland mayor race by today's deadline:

Justin Bibb

Ross Dibello

Basheer Jones

Kevin Kelley

Dennis Kucinich

Sack Reed

Landry Simmons

Sandra Williams

 

 

3 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Here's the list of people who submitted petitions for Cleveland mayor race by today's deadline:

Justin Bibb

Ross Dibello

Basheer Jones

Kevin Kelley

Dennis Kucinich

Sack Reed

Landry Simmons

Sandra Williams

 

 

Let the fun begin!  Here's my ranking so far--though I need to do more research on all of these folks:

 

1.  Sandra Williams   or   Kevin Kelley

3. Dennis Kucinich  -- I know, I know! But he's better than the names below.

4. Zack Reed   or   Ross Dibello  -- really not a fan of either of these, but they're better than those who follow

6. Landry Simmons

7. Justin Bibb

8. Basheer Jones

 

 

 

what exactly is zack reed's qualifications?  Three DUI's?  The guy served jail time.  He should not be anywhere near the top of anyone's list.  Please don't let Cleveland be the subject of national ridicule for that...  

Edited June 17, 20213 yr by gottaplan

22 hours ago, YABO713 said:

 

That's my pup. The first (and likely only) yard sign we'll ever put in front of our house. 

Hey Yabo, now your dog is CLE Twitter famous

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Hey Yabo, now your dog is CLE Twitter famous

 

 

 

 

He deserves it. The most handsome / goodest boy in the world

^ it looks like you need to mow that lawn though...

16 minutes ago, freefourur said:

^ it looks like you need to mow that lawn though...

 

It's newly planted sod.... I need to wait another few days... 

 

GET OFF MY BACK MAN

16 hours ago, Pugu said:

 

Let the fun begin!  Here's my ranking so far--though I need to do more research on all of these folks:

 

1.  Sandra Williams   or   Kevin Kelley

3. Dennis Kucinich  -- I know, I know! But he's better than the names below.

4. Zack Reed   or   Ross Dibello  -- really not a fan of either of these, but they're better than those who follow

6. Landry Simmons

7. Justin Bibb

8. Basheer Jones

 

 

 

 

Can I ask why you'd put Bibb so far down the list? 

 

I know I'm biased here, but he seems like the only candidate on the west side with any visible support at this point - and that's the area of the city that turns out best for a primary

9 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

It's newly planted sod.... I need to wait another few days... 

 

GET OFF MY BACK MAN

I gotta give you a hard time...BTW I had a German Shepard years ago and he was the best boy. 

2 hours ago, YABO713 said:

I know I'm biased here, but he seems like the only candidate on the west side with any visible support at this point - and that's the area of the city that turns out best for a primary

I'm not saying this to be snarky, but do you mean the entire west side or just Ohio City and Detroit Shoreway? I'm going to vote for him too but my big concern with him is the following:

 

Quote

 

“To the guy on Lee and Harvard, I don’t think him living in D.C. or London is going to mean anything,” Connally said. “But what are you going to do about Shaker Square?”

 

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/can-justin-bibbs-change-campaign-reverse-a-15-year-slide-in-cleveland-voter-turnout

 

I think he has the gentrifier & hipster crowds locked up but we'll see if he can get the working-class votes he'll need. He is actually from the East Side which will give him a social network and the credibility to not come off like a carpetbagger. He will need to assemble a coalition of the educated voters and working class black voters (competing with Zack Reed and Basheer Jones). You probably have to figure most working class white voters will split between Kelley & Kucinich. Not sure about the Latino vote as much, you could see it going either way.

Edited June 17, 20213 yr by mu2010

On 6/16/2021 at 11:41 PM, Pugu said:

 

Let the fun begin!  Here's my ranking so far--though I need to do more research on all of these folks:

 

1.  Sandra Williams   or   Kevin Kelley

3. Dennis Kucinich  -- I know, I know! But he's better than the names below.

4. Zack Reed   or   Ross Dibello  -- really not a fan of either of these, but they're better than those who follow

6. Landry Simmons

7. Justin Bibb

8. Basheer Jones

 

 

 

 

On 6/17/2021 at 9:03 AM, gottaplan said:

what exactly is zack reed's qualifications?  Three DUI's?  The guy served jail time.  He should not be anywhere near the top of anyone's list.  Please don't let Cleveland be the subject of national ridicule for that...  

 

Don't misinterpret. I would never vote for Zack Reed. His ranking "at the top" of the list (#4 or 5 out of 8) is a reflection of how many undesirable candidates there are. Maybe Landry Simmons---a Republican---should be above Zack Reed. I'm still trying to learn more about him.

 

 

I've never heard of most of the people who are running but there's no way someone who's done jail time for multiple DUI convictions should be running for any public office, let alone mayor of a major city

 

2 minutes ago, gottaplan said:

I've never heard of most of the people who are running but there's no way someone who's done jail time for multiple DUI convictions should be running for any public office, let alone mayor of a major city

 

Last time (2017), the top 2 and 3 vote getters were Zach Reed and Jeff Johnson. Jeff Johnson was found guilty of federal bribery charges. And he not only ran, but was #2 or 3 (I can't remember which).

1 minute ago, Pugu said:

Last time (2017), the top 2 and 3 vote getters were Zach Reed and Jeff Johnson. Jeff Johnson was found guilty of federal bribery charges. And he not only ran, but was #2 or 3 (I can't remember which).

Jeff Johnson was #3 in the primary.  Zach Reed was #2 and faced off against Jackson that November.

 

It is just a sad state of affairs when a city of Cleveland's size ends up having such a poor slate of candidates running for mayor.  The really unfortunate part of it is that it has happened for multiple mayoral elections.

23 minutes ago, gottaplan said:

I've never heard of most of the people who are running but there's no way someone who's done jail time for multiple DUI convictions should be running for any public office, let alone mayor of a major city

 

I watched him have 3-4 drinks at Clifton Wine Bar and then drive away last summer too. So he hasn't learned

14 minutes ago, LifeLongClevelander said:

Jeff Johnson was #3 in the primary.  Zach Reed was #2 and faced off against Jackson that November.

 

It is just a sad state of affairs when a city of Cleveland's size ends up having such a poor slate of candidates running for mayor.  The really unfortunate part of it is that it has happened for multiple mayoral elections.

 

Again - I know I'm biased... but Bibb's resume (at least on paper) is impeccable and head and shoulders above everyone else. 

 

CWRU, London School of Economics, Aide to Obama's Senate staff, KeyBanc Capital Markets, CSO of Urbanova. 

Preach YABO.....Bibbs resume is head and shoulders above anyone else running.  Its going to take a summer of heavy campaigning, but Bibb should be the next mayor!

22 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

Again - I know I'm biased... but Bibb's resume (at least on paper) is impeccable and head and shoulders above everyone else. 

 

CWRU, London School of Economics, Aide to Obama's Senate staff, KeyBanc Capital Markets, CSO of Urbanova. 

 

Right, but even on paper he's been with most his prior employers for two years or less, and was working there while attending grad/law school.  He's going to have a hard time convincing me that a 2018 MBA/JD grad is qualified to be mayor.  

Edited June 18, 20213 yr by grayfields

20 hours ago, mu2010 said:

You probably have to figure most working class white voters will split between Kelley & Kucinich.

 

ROFL. 

 

I would be very surprised if that's how the vote turns out. 

I had never heard this story (I was living in Boston at the time) and it makes me laugh very hard. What an embarrassment. (I believe the case was settled out of court.)

 

https://www.cleveland.com/open/2011/01/rep_dennis_kucinich_sues_cafet.html

 

Rep. Dennis Kucinich has rapped a U.S. House of Representatives cafeteria with a $150,000 lawsuit for selling him a vegetarian sandwich wrap in 2008 that he says caused dental damage when he bit into an olive pit.  The lawsuit that the Cleveland Democrat filed Jan. 3 against operators and suppliers of the Longworth House Office Building cafeteria says the sandwich he bought there "on or about" April 17, 2008 "contained dangerous substances, namely an olive pit, that a consumer would not reasonably expect to find in the final product served."

 

Biting into it caused serious "permanent dental and oral injuries requiring multiple surgical and dental procedures," the legal documents say. They contend the congressman is entitled to damages for future dental and medical expenses and to compensate him for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment.  "Said sandwich wrap was unwholesome and unfit for human consumption in that it was presented to contain pitted olives, yet unknown to plaintiff, contained an unpitted olive or olives which plaintiff did not reasonably expect to be in the food prepared for him, and could not visually detect prior to consumption," the lawsuit said.

 

Alternative sources:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/dennis-kucinich-sues-house-caf.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kucinich-lawsuit/congressman-sues-companies-in-congressional-cafeteria-idUSTRE70P8JD20110126

Here's my ranking:

 

#1 by a mile: Justin Bibb - He is a founder of an organization that figures out what works for cities.  He has this tremendous network to call on across the country, collecting input on the policies that work and the policies that don't work.  Always delivers well thought out answers that demonstrate a strong empathy.  Plus, growing up here he has a deep history with the community. He also has Cleveland business connections through his time in the corporate space.  He connects with people.  I'm extremely excited about him and very hopeful that he is the next mayor

 

Big gap, then:

2. Basheer Jones - he's done a great job as a city councilor

3. Sandra Williams

 

Another gap, then:

4. Kevin Kelley - would be more of the same, but at least he seems mostly competent

5. Ross Dibello - inexperienced, but good policy proposals

 

HARD NO:

6. Landry Simmons - no idea who this is

7. Zack Reed

8. Dennis Kucinich - how the hell are people thinking this would be even remotely OK?

 

I think it's funny that I wrote Sack Reed in my previous post.  No, that wasn't intentional.

15 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Here's my ranking:

 

#1 by a mile: Justin Bibb - He is a founder of an organization that figures out what works for cities.  He has this tremendous network to call on across the country, collecting input on the policies that work and the policies that don't work.  Always delivers well thought out answers that demonstrate a strong empathy.  Plus, growing up here he has a deep history with the community. He also has Cleveland business connections through his time in the corporate space.  He connects with people.  I'm extremely excited about him and very hopeful that he is the next mayor

 

Big gap, then:

2. Basheer Jones - he's done a great job as a city councilor

3. Sandra Williams

 

Another gap, then:

4. Kevin Kelley - would be more of the same, but at least he seems mostly competent

5. Ross Dibello - inexperienced, but good policy proposals

 

HARD NO:

6. Landry Simmons - no idea who this is

7. Zack Reed

8. Dennis Kucinich - how the hell are people thinking this would be even remotely OK?

 

I think it's funny that I wrote Sack Reed in my previous post.  No, that wasn't intentional.

My thoughts on Kelley is this:  Why hasn't he at least done any sort of real push-back on Jackson, especially with seven years of triple-digit homicides that will turn into eight this year?  It seems like his "leadership" on city council has basically been as a "rubber stamp".  The same goes for any other member of city council.  You get noise in the generation of sound/video segments on the local news outlets, but not much more.  City council has never stood up against Jackson and held their ground regarding the crime problems in the city.  They never forced getting any sort of action to combat the problems.  They should be held accountable for their inaction.

 

As for Kucinich, a decent part of his Congressional district included Cleveland.  With his track record of running the city, that in itself should have never got him elected to Congress, let alone winning eight times.  His lack of doing anything for Cleveland while holding that office should have got him voted out long before he fell victim to redistricting.

33 minutes ago, LifeLongClevelander said:

My thoughts on Kelley is this:  Why hasn't he at least done any sort of real push-back on Jackson, especially with seven years of triple-digit homicides that will turn into eight this year?  It seems like his "leadership" on city council has basically been as a "rubber stamp".  The same goes for any other member of city council.  You get noise in the generation of sound/video segments on the local news outlets, but not much more.  City council has never stood up against Jackson and held their ground regarding the crime problems in the city.  They never forced getting any sort of action to combat the problems.  They should be held accountable for their inaction.

 

As for Kucinich, a decent part of his Congressional district included Cleveland.  With his track record of running the city, that in itself should have never got him elected to Congress, let alone winning eight times.  His lack of doing anything for Cleveland while holding that office should have got him voted out long before he fell victim to redistricting.

 

He's also the status quo candidates for the Sweeney-driven Dem machine in the city. That's much more focused on patronage and power than action 

31 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

He's also the status quo candidates for the Sweeney-driven Dem machine in the city. That's much more focused on patronage and power than action 

When the campaign dollars and fund raisers are held in Gates Mills, just like they were Jackson, you will be proven correct.

7 hours ago, mack34 said:

Preach YABO.....Bibbs resume is head and shoulders above anyone else running.  Its going to take a summer of heavy campaigning, but Bibb should be the next mayor!

You guys are focused on Bibbs' resume, in a city where the COO in charge of all city departments is an ex water department meter-reader.... 🤦‍♂️

On 6/17/2021 at 3:57 PM, YABO713 said:

 

Can I ask why you'd put Bibb so far down the list? 

 

I know I'm biased here, but he seems like the only candidate on the west side with any visible support at this point - and that's the area of the city that turns out best for a primary

 

 

Bibb is VERY unqualified. He's very inexperienced with the real issues he will face as mayor. Its not as nice and clean as the corporate world and he is quite immature. For those who thought Kucinich was bad in the late 70s, Bibb is the new Kucinich. Maybe Bibb will be good in 20 yrs or so, but as of today, he doesn't really get it. He would make poor choices that will actually be bad for the city, while thinking he's doing the right thing. It's because he hasn't been around long enough to really know how things work. His grandmother who he constantly talks about would probably make a better mayor than he would.

9 hours ago, YABO713 said:

 

Again - I know I'm biased... but Bibb's resume (at least on paper) is impeccable and head and shoulders above everyone else. 

 

CWRU, London School of Economics, Aide to Obama's Senate staff, KeyBanc Capital Markets, CSO of Urbanova. 

 

I agree his resume is good. But he would be an incompetent mayor.

8 hours ago, grayfields said:

 

Right, but even on paper he's been with most his prior employers for two years or less, and was working there while attending grad/law school.  He's going to have a hard time convincing me that a 2018 MBA/JD grad is qualified to be mayor.  

 

This. This point makes a lot of sense and underscores how inexperienced he is. Yes, he's a smooth talker---but that is all.  

9 hours ago, YABO713 said:

 

Again - I know I'm biased... but Bibb's resume (at least on paper) is impeccable and head and shoulders above everyone else. 

 

CWRU, London School of Economics, Aide to Obama's Senate staff, KeyBanc Capital Markets, CSO of Urbanova. 

 

"Aide to Obama's Senate staff" -- let's call it what it was---he was an intern.  But look at how he wrote this on his website (https://www.bibbforcle.com/meet-justin):

 

"He interned for President Barack Obama when he was in the U.S Senate"  ummmm.....the president was not the president when he was senator.....  He could have more clearly said, "He interned for then-Senator Barack Obama."  In other words, he's playing with words here--God knows what else he's spinning about himself or his plans.

 

But more importantly, this just shows how clueless and inexperienced he is. If you're gonna spin something, don't have it be instantly identified as wordplay. He doesn't really understand how things work. If he gets to the mayor's office, corporations, council, special interests, thugs, organized crime, EVERYONE---will run circles around him. He won't know how to respond or lead.

 

9 hours ago, YABO713 said:

 

Again - I know I'm biased... but Bibb's resume (at least on paper) is impeccable and head and shoulders above everyone else. 

 

CWRU, London School of Economics, Aide to Obama's Senate staff, KeyBanc Capital Markets, CSO of Urbanova. 

 

12 minutes ago, Pugu said:

 

 

Bibb is VERY unqualified. He's very inexperienced with the real issues he will face as mayor. Its not as nice and clean as the corporate world and he is quite immature. For those who thought Kucinich was bad in the late 70s, Bibb is the new Kucinich. Maybe Bibb will be good in 20 yrs or so, but as of today, he doesn't really get it. He would make poor choices that will actually be bad for the city, while thinking he's doing the right thing. It's because he hasn't been around long enough to really know how things work. His grandmother who he constantly talks about would probably make a better mayor than he would.

The real world is far different that school.  Internships are usually temporary positions.  There are many people who have nicely framed degrees to hang on their walls.  Yet, when it comes to putting that education to a real, longer-term commitment solving real problems with extended implications well into the future, the solutions aren't found in some textbook or reading a research paper.  People can be masters at interviewing (and self-publicizing) and end up being exposed for being totally overwhelmed and unprepared.  Opponents with decades worth of experience can seize that inexperience and work it to their advantage.  Can Cleveland deal with the consequences of inexperience? 

It seems to me that experience is a bit of a red herring in deciding on a mayor as its not experience easily gained.   If lack of experience meant someone 18-22 sure that would be pretty young for being a mayor.

  On the flipside, is the city being run so well now that a young, inexperienced person will goof it all up by their decisions? To me an older person running will mean status quo. 

 I’d like to see someone come in and yank out the patronage people and replace them with competent managers.  Have a new mayor question why things are done certain ways and explore other options than ‘well its always been done this way’. 

Someone as studied as Bibb in economics understands that improvements can be made everywhere and constantly. 

 

 

Bibb has made good progress in getting name recognition but he hasn't really been challenged yet.  He will be soon enough.  

 

I think Kucinich just plays spoiler to Kevin Kelley and a few others.  Kelley remains the "safe" choice and will draw a lot of the older white voters and maybe others who seem to think Frank has done just fine as mayor....  

On 6/19/2021 at 4:39 AM, audidave said:

I’d like to see someone come in and yank out the patronage people and replace them with competent managers.  Have a new mayor question why things are done certain ways and explore other options than ‘well its always been done this way’. 

Someone as studied as Bibb in economics understands that improvements can be made everywhere and constantly. 

 

Bingo. The lowest hanging fruit to improve Cleveland is to simply to follow good management practices and make City Hall less dysfunctional.

 

On 6/18/2021 at 11:21 PM, LifeLongClevelander said:

 

The real world is far different that school.  Internships are usually temporary positions.  There are many people who have nicely framed degrees to hang on their walls.  Yet, when it comes to putting that education to a real, longer-term commitment solving real problems with extended implications well into the future, the solutions aren't found in some textbook or reading a research paper.  People can be masters at interviewing (and self-publicizing) and end up being exposed for being totally overwhelmed and unprepared.  Opponents with decades worth of experience can seize that inexperience and work it to their advantage.  Can Cleveland deal with the consequences of inexperience? 

 

On 6/18/2021 at 10:57 PM, Pugu said:

 

This. This point makes a lot of sense and underscores how inexperienced he is. Yes, he's a smooth talker---but that is all.  

 

Bibb has literally stated that he'd bring in the big brains when necessary. I don't expect a mayor to come in and solve (or know) everything on their own, but rather build a cabinet of great, competent people that can go out and get things done. 

 

I don't look at Kelley or Kucinich's experience and think it gets them anywhere- as someone stated upthread, what exactly has Kelley done to earn my vote? Not push back on Jackson? Be reactive to Cleveland dot com articles? Let Ken Johnson run amuck for his entire tenure? I don't get this obsession with "experience".

At the local level, I don't think having tons of experience actually matters all that much. What matters is:

 

1. Having good character. This means don't be corrupt (e.g. Jimmy Dimora), but it also means don't be lazy (e.g. Jackson) and don't be an ass (e.g. Kucinich).

2. Be thoughtful and open to multiple solutions.

3. Be a nice person who can create and utilize networks.

 

There are enough motivated people trying to help out this city that you don't need a mayor who knows everything and takes the lead on everything. You just need someone who can nurture the good elements and ideas that exist in the community, have a bit of charisma to help bring in new money, and have some judgment on what are good and bad ideas.

 

I personally know and like Bibb and would vote for him if I lived in Cleveland proper. There are probably a few candidates that would be fine in light of the above, and there are a few that definitely are not.

On 6/17/2021 at 9:03 AM, gottaplan said:

what exactly is zack reed's qualifications?  Three DUI's?  The guy served jail time.  He should not be anywhere near the top of anyone's list.  Please don't let Cleveland be the subject of national ridicule for that...  

 

The way Cleveland is set up, each councilman is a mini mayor of sorts.   That counts for something.

 

Zack did well enough, he was the de facto deputy leader of the opposition during the second last Jackson term, and Polensek is not going to be interested  in being mayor.   He works well with Republicans (LaRose) and so far has the right view towards crime.