Who am I to give campaign advice? I guess I have helped with a couple of successful campaigns (initiatives and candidates) and lost some pretty bigs ones to. But I think when it comes to city politics, I have learned a lot over the years. I also think I am good judge of character when it comes to people and especially people who are running for office.
I’m not going to give Jolene political advice – at this point. I think Jolene is smart enough to understand politics, and I think she is a quick learner. I don’t think she needs policy advice and I think she has a nice boiler plate platform on the issues;
• Strong and Safe Families
• Economic Development
• Smart Spending
• Work-Play Opportunities
Like I said, not enough time to debate and discuss her platform.
I want to talk about first impressions. On Friday I watched Jolene’s announcement and then I watched all of her videos on her website.
As you know, we have a multitude of candidates running with a multitude of different personalities, ALL MEN. Some want to concentrate on our streets, some want to concentrate on economic development and some want us to know they wear jeans, everyday, so get used to it.
Before people start ragging on me about picking on Jolene because she is woman, I will say this; I prefer female leaders in government, I think they think about two-sides of the issue. Unlike men, women tend to look at both the social and fiscal part of legislation and also have more compassion. We need more women and more compassion in government.
So what is my first impression of Jolene’s campaign?
• Your introductory videos are over produced. You are selling yourself not a can of COKE. Don’t fall back on Social Media too much, good old fashioned door knocking works.
• I struggle with taking you seriously when you talk about liking cupcakes and not being able to dance. I think most voters want to like their candidates, but they really don’t want to hang out with you. Talk policy every freaking chance you can. I know Jolene understands it, show us.
• Government is serious business, especially running a $450 million dollar a year business. You come across as not serious and something you are just doing it for the experience and for FUN. People in our community are suffering, a lot of people are underemployed or unemployed, addicts, economically vunerable, mentally ill, victims of violent crime or discriminated against. You have to appeal to them also, and making Sioux Falls sound like some kind of play land just isn’t going to bode well with the working class.
I think Jolene has potential. While the cupcake talk and holding up the baby on the bike trail might appeal to the soccer moms, it’s the elderly men in this town that vote the most, especially in municipal elections, and more than likely the elderly ladies that are stuck to them vote the same way. They are your major demographic, like it or not. They are the retired working class of our community. If Jolene is going to challenge 7 men or more for the mayor’s office, she needs to get serious, and quickly. You can work on the dance lessons later.
The mayor and council election is more complex this time. There’s certainly more variety. It’s good to see a woman candidate. Because of the diluted atmosphere, she has a chance. You’ve underestimated the soccer moms, nurses, and teachers. Women are angry with local chauvinism. They’ll be at the polling place.
First off, I agree 100% with why you like the type of leadership in government that women give. Not all mind you. Case in point. erpenback.
Along the senior citizen line. She may already have a kind of built in constituency here. Jolene was, was, not sure if she still is, the MC for the Sioux Falls Municipal Bands summer concert swing. I have been to a few. She has real rapport with seniors. I think they will at least listen to her. Now all she needs is a message that resonates.
She has potential, I just don’t want a female version of Huether, we fell for that trick pony twice (well I didn’t).
She would be wise also to drop her pie in the sky idea about building an entertainment district around the EC. Never gonna happen. The only way you could even get close to it is by building a tram that goes from the EC to to DT. You will also need to build a parking ramp at the EC to free up space for more hotels, etc. Huether has already spent the kitty. Should have been built DT behind Cherapa. It would have helped revitalize the Whittier neighborhood and develop the RR area faster. But all Huether could see is a low Walmart price at the Arena site.
She should pursue an equitable East/west route to the Mall area that doesn’t interrupt the golf courses. There are other options.
Downtown (and most other streets in) SF has turned into a circus train of meth-ed out dopes rolling coal in mufflerless clubcabs after 9pm.
You struggle taking her seriously but I was way too harsh when I pointed out her qualifications?
Big ol told you so.
Voters don’t vote for people they hate just because they’re right on the issues. And the vast majority of people don’t know her. She’s right to start this way. The cushion you get up front by establishing yourself as likeable goes a long way to buffering the candidate down the road when, inevitably, there are disagreements on issues.
Also, sorry to say, but most voters don’t care much about policy. Maybe one or two big issues but only in a broader framework. Don’t make the mistake of thing that voters are too much like you. When it comes to interest in and passion for local government, you’re in the one percent. That’s commendable, but it also makes people like you (or me) a terrible focus group.
You may dislike Huether, but his blueprint is still valid. Avoid policy specifics at all costs. It’s divisive and costs you more votes than it earns. Every. Single. Time.
any candidate who thinks they can make the event center area an “entertainment district” should automatically withdraw from the race. no one wants to go out there for anything other than getting their driver’s license renewed, and seeing washed up hair bands at overinflated prices. and even that didn’t work.
I’d vote for the guy in the upper right on the sole fact that he looks like Bret Hart.
LOL. I’m sure if you told David that he would laugh. He is a big treehugger.
She’s only out for one thing, herself. I own a home on the west side of town that was part of the disputed Tea School District a few years ago. “Jo” had no children at the time, but sided with Tea because having a school in our area would increase the value of her home.
We have no children ourselves but found her to be self-centered and cocky. This is not who we want to lead our city if she’s doing it just for her own agenda.