Say the name Mike Aguirre and it conjures up images of long pompous diatribes, public shouting matches laced with profanity, and bullying anyone who disagreed with him. The political farce surrounding Proposition D has shown us that Jerry Sanders can fairly be compared to his one-time nemesis, Mike Aguirre. Various reports throughout San Diego paint a disturbing picture of the Mayor and his recent behavior.
Jerry “mike-like” Sanders has seemed very agitated at a number of events. Perhaps he assumed that between his new-found alliance with laborphiles and his ability to sway the business community, the first $103 million was as good as in the general fund. And then the Lincoln Club bus showed up to screw with his carefully scripted campaign kickoff. Since that day, Mike… er I mean Jerry, has been arguing for the sales tax in long disjointed monologues without discussing any merits Yes on D may have. Instead, he pulls at folks’ emotional heartstrings and asks everyone to “TRUST ME, TRUST ME.”
Even worse, he responds with personal attacks and cursing tirades at opponents of the sales tax, all of whom he’s worked with in the past. At meetings of the Chamber and AGC, which are made up of Jerry Aguirre’s friends, he has turned various shades of red as those same friends say no to supporting Prop D. Seeing a one time leader reduced to begging would be sad were it not for the Aguirre-esque threats that accompany those pleas. Even with the many business groups saying NO on D, many more traditional Jerry supporters can’t come out directly against it because of threats to affect their business before the city.
Maybe Jerry is falling apart because he sees the writing on the wall. Like Mike Aguirre, Jerry Sanders is quickly becoming insignificant politically. He’s delusional if he thinks his hammer-turned-fly swatter will be effective in extracting reform from the Labor goons on the Council post November. The reality is, if Prop D passes, all the power to meet the conditions lie with them.
Comments 5
Read well into the piece to see the part about the Mayor’s “plain spokenness”…
http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-8198-horton-hears-a-what.html
I just read the SD City Beat article. We knew what we were getting with Jerry Sanders with his language when he told Steve Francis “F– You Steve,” and proufly bragged about it to the media. The bigger problem is how he is trying to manipulate groups such as the AGC, Chamber, Partnership, etc. Good for the AGC for not backing down. I read this morning the Chamber may be taking a position. The Partnership has a different agenda,which is promoting downtown, including libraries, city halls, convention centers, stadiums, and more, all at taxpayer expense. Their concern is not the greater good of the city or the region.
This was hillarious!! I have been in one of those meetings where Mayor Sanders has had what I consider to be a “Mike Aguirre” moment.
Sanders became vidictive in questioning why people would oppose Prop D. He cursed twice, and then said he doesn’t have to worry about Prop D not passing because he carries a concealed weapon. Seriously!
Then he sunk to a new low in attacking someone who has been a constant (perhaps too much) ally of his: he accused Kevin Faulconer of simply wanting to run for Mayor and opposing Prop D just because he wants to keep up with Carl DeMaio.
I was sad for Jerry because it was embarrassing for him — but I also was so disappointed because it was the same behavior that Jerry always called Mike Aguirre out on. Hello Pot, meet Kettle….
I have a question or two. I know Republicans are having an event Saluting Elected Officials. Is Jerry Sanders there tonight? Was he even invited?