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 …

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 …

Fletcher skips 35 floor votes today, plus controversial tax committee vote

Jeff PowellJeff Powell 6 Comments

Assemblyman Fletcher maintained his impeccable 70% 71% absence rate today. The State Assembly voted on 35 proposed laws today, bringing Fletcher’s total missed votes to a whopping 263 this year. In addition to the floor votes, Assemblyman Fletcher skipped a vote on a controversial tax increase that was voted on in the Revenue and Taxation committee. For the full story, see …

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 …

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 …

Nathan Fletcher/U-T Drama: A Recap

Thor's AssistantRostra Administrator (Thor's Assistant) 5 Comments

The Nathan Fletcher/U-T San Diego split has evolved into a controversy, according to some local news outlets and the newspaper’s executive editor. So we thought we would bring you up to speed. Here’s a quick recap:  First there was this from the U-T: The question for Nathan Fletcher: What does ‘move to the middle’ mean? Then this from Team Fletcher: …

Bonnie Brings her A-game to Mayor’s Race

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 4 Comments

Politics & Media Mashup Bonnie Dumanis brought her A-game to the San Diego Mayor’s Race this week. The District Attorney and mayoral candidate smacked Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who is campaigning hard to be San Diego’s next mayor, for what she called his “About Face on a Woman’s Right to Choose” in a post on Rostra: Until now, Nathan Fletcher has received …

The Mail is Here!

Thor's AssistantRostra Administrator (Thor's Assistant) 8 Comments

From the Carl DeMaio Campaign: Response from Nathan Fletcher Campaign: Fact Check: DeMaio’s Deceptive Attack on Nathan Fletcher’s Record of Accomplishment Today, the Carl DeMaio campaign dropped a misleading, negative mailer attacking Nathan Fletcher’s record in Sacramento. A check of the facts is below. Click here to continue reading.

Fletcher Missing on “Prop A” Attack

Carl DeMaioCarl DeMaio 15 Comments

Brown signs bill to punish San Diego for Proposition A. Fletcher skipped vote. UT San Diego reports that Governor Brown has signed Senate Bill 829, which would “deny state construction funds to cities that have bans on labor-friendly development contracts, potentially affecting three local municipalities.” Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/26/brown-moves-to-protect-labor-friendly-contract/ “I’ve defined my career on solving problems” – Nathan Fletcher, 4/23/12 When SB 829 was …

More Politics As Usual From Nathan Fletcher

Carl DeMaioCarl DeMaio 34 Comments

Latest Fletcher Political Game: Rich Downtown Insiders Handpick Their Choice for Mayor Today State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher’s masterful gamesmanship continued as he attempted to use his millionaire campaign backers to make the case for his independence. Ironically, the wealthy downtown insiders featured at the press conference are the same people who have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to his …

Nathan Fletcher Launches New YouTube Ad: “Grover And Me”

Eliot NessEliot Ness 2 Comments

As Nathan Fletcher’s recent gains have come not at the expense of Carl DeMaio but rather Bob Filner (and to a lesser degree Bonnie Dumanis) it seems local Democratic operatives are growing frustrated and starting to dig in to newly Independent Nathan Fletcher’s background. Not to worry though, as long as Nathan doesn’t have a long history with the Republican Party or …

Fletcher Woos Vet and Big Changes at U-T and Voice

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 13 Comments

Politics & Media Mashup My veterinarian asked me yesterday who I like in the mayor’s race. I turned the question around and asked her who she and her husband like. They are registered Democrats. They’re not extremists but they are among the people who feel disillusioned by President Obama and his moderate positions, compromises and move to the middle. “Filner …

Filner Flops In An Ugly Campaign Week

Tony ManolatosTony Manolatos 10 Comments

Politics & Media Mashup: A look at this week’s local political coverage They say a good writer knows when to get out of the way of a good story. So rather then comment on this entertaining Investigative Newsource story — Bob Filner Misses the Boat on the Port — I will just encourage you to read it, and then watch Filner’s …