The Oracle Speaks

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 26 Comments

[captionpix imgsrc=”http://sdrostra.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/john-tj.jpg” captiontext=”John Nienstedt, President of Competitive Edge, and T.J. Zane, President & CEO of The Lincoln Club of San Diego County, at the Lincoln Club’s Election Night Reception. Photo by: Melissa Jacobs”] Politics & Media Mashup I worked on a campaign with local pollster John Nienstedt a couple years ago and after he explained in a group email – a …

Election Hangover? A Polling Postmortem Cures What Ails Ya’

Erica HollowayErica Holloway 6 Comments

Hungover? Well, depending on your horse(s), you were either drinking victory punch (Go Walker!) or suicide smoothies well into the night. I joined in the Golden Hall festivities via the scrappy San Diego CityBeat live election night blog hosted by our very own San Diego Rostra and our lefty friends at OBRag. If you didn’t follow along with our 100 …

Texts From Mayoral Candidates – Part V

Thor's AssistantRostra Administrator (Thor's Assistant) 1 Comment

We texted the San Diego mayoral candidates and asked them, “What movie and song best describes your campaign?” Here are their replies: That’s easy. Movie: The Empire Strikes Back. Song: “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re a laser focused take-no-prisoners team of crusaders armed with a Roadmap that returns Republican control to San Diego. ___ We see Purple at …

Fletcher Wins Race For Most Klout

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 8 Comments

Politics & Media Mashup I wrote a post six months ago comparing the Klout scores of San Diego mayoral candidates, council members and a few others who know their way around Facebook and Twitter. It generated a little buzz. Tony Krvaric, Todd Gloria and others compared their scores on Twitter. Former U-T San Diego columnist Tom Blair mentioned the post in …

Last Major San Diego Mayoral Debate Mashup

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 1 Comment

The San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR), San Diego County Taxpayers Association and The Lincoln Club of San Diego County hosted today’s debate at the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center. SDAR wants to thank all of the candidates for a spirited debate, the 500 or so people who filled the ballroom and those of you who watched and …

Mayor’s Race Takes Me Back to 7th Grade

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 6 Comments

Politics & Media Mashup We’re 10 days out from Election Day and here is what we know about the San Diego mayoral race: Carl DeMaio is in. The second spot looks like it’s going to go down to the wire. Bob Filner is carrying a slight edge over Nathan Fletcher. Trailing behind is Bonnie Dumanis, but she’s not going down …

DeMaio Unveils the “REPAIR” Ballot Initiative to Fix San Diego’s Roads

Carl DeMaioCarl DeMaio 3 Comments

Ballot Measure Would Generate over $480 Million and Impose Accountability on City Politicians to Fully Fund Street Repairs and Maintenance San Diego Mayoral Candidate Carl DeMaio unveiled his “REPAIR” Initiative to generate over $480 million to fix San Diego’s crumbling roads without a tax increase – and hold city leaders accountable for improving how road repair work is done. The tax-free …

Last Major Mayoral Debate – Today

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 1 Comment

The San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR), one of my clients, is hosting the last major mayoral debate. When: Wednesday, May 30 Time: Registration & VIP Reception at 11AM; Lunch at 11:45AM; Debate at 12:15PM Location: Town & County Conference Center in Mission Valley. Debate is in the Golden Pacific Ballroom. VIP Reception is for media, candidates and guests and is in …

DeMaio Releases Water Ratepayers “Bill of Rights” to Stop Outrageous Water Rates

Carl DeMaioCarl DeMaio 18 Comments

Urges Reform and More Protection For Ratepayers Whose Water Bills Have Increased 67% Since 2007  For the past five years, San Diegans have seen their water rates rise 67%. Mayoral Candidate Carl DeMaio today released his “Water Ratepayer Bill of Rights” to protect San Diego families from outrageous water rate hikes. “San Diegans have been hosed by higher water rates …

The Best and Worst SD Mayor Videos

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 1 Comment

Politics & Media Mashup Good videos are an effective way to communicate a message, especially since many of us are attached to iPhones and iPads. I believe political videos will eventually replace mail pieces and most news releases. Won’t that be nice! That’s a post for another day. Today I decided to mashup the best and worst campaign videos from …

At Least the Fleece Awards Were Cute: SDCTA Hands Out 2012 Goldens

The Libertarian Lass, Gayle FalkenthalThe Libertarian Lass, Gayle Falkenthal Leave a Comment

Smart governing decisions saving taxpayer dollars and collaborative initiatives took top honors, while cavalier attitudes and lost opportunities were called out and shamed at the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA)’s 17th annual Goldens Awards Dinner, held at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center in Mission Valley. Remote controls were nowhere in sight as the evening’s theme “Taxpayer …

Belly Up To The Bar 2: The Official Goldens Drinking Game

The Libertarian Lass, Gayle FalkenthalThe Libertarian Lass, Gayle Falkenthal 1 Comment

Just in time could be my life’s mantra. I am reminded by Thor’s Assistant that no Official Drinking Game has been devised for tonight’s epic 17th annual San Diego County Taxpayers Golden Fleece and Watchdog Awards. Calling Ms. Tipit to the rescue. DISCLAIMER: In this litigious, risk-averse society, we must pause here to admonish anyone reading this column that it …

Texts From Mayoral Candidates: Part IV

Thor's AssistantRostra Administrator (Thor's Assistant) Leave a Comment

We texted the following image to each of the San Diego mayoral candidates and asked them, “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see this photo?” ___ Here are their replies:  I’m so fortunate…Papa Doug has no idea I’m gay. ___  I used to read that rag but I’ve switched to Voice of San Diego. ___  There’s …

U-T Editor Puts Paper in Awkward Position

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 10 Comments

Politics & Media Mashup Some believe Nathan Fletcher is at war with U-T San Diego. I wouldn’t call it war, but relations certainly are chilly. Fletcher’s expectations for his morning newspaper aren’t what they used to be. That might not be a big deal if the election wasn’t less than a month away. For all its troubles, the U-T is still the …

DeMaio Releases Ad “One Man”

Carl DeMaioCarl DeMaio 1 Comment

Today our campaign released its third television ad “One Man” that focuses on my detailed and comprehensive plan to fix the budget problems that have plagued San Diego for nearly a decade. I hope this ad will focus the discussion on important solutions to reform the fiscal problems in San Diego. http://youtu.be/_of0Rb1P-oc   DeMaio’s detailed plan and record of results …

Haven’t served in the Military? Fletcher says: “Shame on you”

Ryan PurdyRyan Purdy 44 Comments

Nathan Fletcher released an ad called “Character.” Handpicked veterans call out the leading mayoral candidate, Councilmember Carl DeMaio, for not having served in the military. The well-rehearsed veterans, one after another, said: “Shame on you.” Given this ad, you might be surprised to learn DeMaio has never expressed anything but admiration for Fletcher’s military service. So why would Marine veteran …