Dallas Mayoral Election: The End of the Laura Miller era

[grantboston]

CBS11: She will not be running for another term. More tonight at 10pm.

http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_187181242.html

[gc]

wow

[UrbanHope]

I heard about 2 hrs ago... wanted to wait until I saw it on the news before I posted on DProgress b/c I flat out couldn't believe it.

Some people have 2-wayed me and still don't.

Predictions for who's going to run now? I say Ed Oakley (YUK!), among others.

[St-T]

Shocking.

[FoUTASportscaster]

There are very few on the council I want to run this city.

[St-T]

I have no clue who I want for mayor.


EDIT: i'm running...who wants to be on my campaign? :D

[FoUTASportscaster]

Don't know, don't like your stance on the Wright Compromise. ;)

[St-T]

You will like my stance against Ft Worthless and the suburbs:

I'm your daddy, biatch!

[Milkman Dan]

Wait, I thought the Trinity unRiver Park project was going to be her biggest accomplishment? Do we really have to wait 8 years for her actual biggest accomplishment to come to fruition? Good riddance. She had the political skills of.... well... of a muckraking journalist.

Can we also set as a prerequisite for any new mayoral candidates that they must glance into the newscamera at least once every 2 minutes during an interview rather than creepily staring sideways at the interviewer the whole time?

[grantboston]

I wonder what impact this will have on Darrell Jordan, Don Hill and others considering the race. It seems like they might throw their hats in now that the field is wide open. (Although these two particular candidated might cancel each other out).

Has the Dallas Business Council [or whatever it's called] converged on anyone yet?

[AeroD]

Paging Phil Ritter....

[X Factor]

Mark Cuban

[Texan#1]

^ lol at Mark Cuban. I saw that the CEO of Texas Instruments is considering running for mayor. do any of you like him?

[UrbanHope]

Personally I'm sick of the Gromer Jeffers articles. He writes like he's a flack for Don Hill. Good grief, just quit and run for his office already. He usually uses the same 3-4 people for quotes to make Hill look viable. What a joke.

Here's hoping he takes the DMN buyout and they'll get a real reporter.

[grantboston]

^^ beats Rufus Shaw. Now there's a hack!

[columbiasooner]

This makes the race so much more exciting. Over/Under on "name" candidates is set at 8.

[KBilly]

She makes what may be a very telling comment in the first few minutes of the CBS11 interview... "...my kids like to be with me and I want to do it before I run out of time..."

I certainly hope that her cancer has not come out of remission.

[RobertB]

I nominate Trolleygirl2 (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/member.php?userid=488)!

[mikedsjr]

You will like my stance against Ft Worthless and the suburbs:

I'm your daddy, biatch!

At least you would be entertaining. Probably less gets done in your tenure, but entertainment would soar.

[Tnekster]

I certainly hope that her cancer has not come out of remission.

I wondered about that today. Hopefully she just realizes the value of her family and does not want to miss watching her kids grow up.

[Boredkid]

I nominate Trolleygirl2 (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/member.php?userid=488)!

I second that

[CityLove]

I second that

Aww, you guys are too nice. No way could I run the city though.

But if I did...everyone would be required to drive hybrid or biodiesel vehicles, take public transportation when possible...no yelling would be allowed at council meetings...the trolley would be expanded all over the city...and we would all have daily naptimes each afternoon.

And that's just a start.

:cool:

[Texan#1]

Aww, you guys are too nice. No way could I run the city though.

But if I did...everyone would be required to drive hybrid or biodiesel vehicles, take public transportation when possible...no yelling would be allowed at council meetings...the trolley would be expanded all over the city...and we would all have daily naptimes each afternoon.

And that's just a start.

:cool: wow.. a siesta everyday! how awesome that would be!!! Trolleygirl2 - Future Mayor of Dallas! :cheers:

[gc]

I have no clue who I want for mayor.


EDIT: i'm running...who wants to be on my campaign? :D


Me. Can I lead the charge?

[gc]

At least you would be entertaining. Probably less gets done in your tenure, but entertainment would soar.


100% correct.

[tamtagon]

How about Veletta Lill?

[Otis]

I think Veletta would be good...hope she runs.

[AeroD]

Let's resurrect Erik Jonsson!

[Mephis Gooseberry]

There are very few on the council I want to run this city.

Ms. Hunt would seem a great candidate, people oriented and intelligent. I hope she runs.

Blaydes hum?? Has leadership skills, just not so sure of his motives.

The rest I don't know.

[Mephis Gooseberry]

Let's resurrect Erik Jonsson!

How bout Wes Wise?

[FoUTASportscaster]

TG2 v S-T? That's a tough vote. Nod to TG2, for non-political reasons.

[erw150]

This makes the race so much more exciting. Over/Under on "name" candidates is set at 8.

I am going to have to go with a double play on the over :eek: .

[chiboi]

For those of you bashing Laura Miller, please speak before you speak (good riddance, etc.) Don't you think it is rather odd she is so abruptly leaving the race for reelection? This would cause me to think, why? I do know that Laura Miller had cancer before, what if this is the reason. I just get sick of all the negativity. To build a great city we need more compassion.

[BC_Club]

Dr. Maxine for mayor! That way we will never spend any of the money for anything. She will just hold onto it and stuff it in her mattress.

Candidates:

Mark Cuban

Russ Martin

Kinky Friedman (If he loses the guvs race)

:cheers:

[Boredkid]

Kinky Friedman (If he loses the guvs race)

:cheers:

Dont you have to live in the city in order to run?

[dfwcre8tive]

What mayor could last here?
11:50 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 11, 2006
By JACQUIELYNN FLOYD / The Dallas Morning News

Count me among the mildly surprised but far-from-shocked minority who didn't consider Laura Miller's decision not to run again a "bombshell."

After all, she sure doesn't need the money. And Ms. Miller is only the latest in a long line of campaigners to learn through grim experience that being mayor of Dallas, over the long haul, just isn't much fun.

Modern-day Dallas mayors don't tend to stick around for multiple terms. They serve a few years and move on, which I sometimes suspect has a lot to do with the sheer awfulness of the job.

Dallas isn't a terrible place – far from it – and it wrestles with the same problems as other cities of similar size and demography. It's a ripe challenge for a smart, energetic, visionary leader (hard to come by, but they're out there).

But Dallas unaccountably clings to an outdated, no-win political model to which we endlessly circle back, like a dreary piece of repetitive existentialist theater. There's no place in this melodrama for a new cast of characters, just the same weary old heroes and villains.

The script ignores broad geographic and demographic swaths of the city, narrowing the playing field to an eternal battle of North Dallas vs. Southern Sector; rich vs. poor; eternally aggrieved minorities vs. greedy, exclusionary whites.

Never mind that these old stereotypes haven't really fit for years, and that even in their heyday, they were constricting and oversimplified.

Sooner or later, every player gets assigned to one team or the other.

All the lists of Ms. Miller's triumphs and missteps omit what I always thought was a real turning point of her public persona, which was her family's very personal decision to move from a monied but diverse section of Oak Cliff to a multimillion-dollar estate in Preston Hollow in early 2004.

Where people live is their own business, of course. But for a lot of people already inclined to distrust the mayor's woman-of-the-people reformer image, it cemented their suspicions that underneath it all, she was just another privileged fat cat.

It's probably not fair, but it fed the city's superficial but pervasive biases. There's an unbecoming tendency here to cast its leaders either as fire-breathing opportunists stoking the flames of racial division, or racist oppressors cynically pandering to white paranoia.

No wonder Dallas' middle class seems to be evaporating: There's no place for them in this shopworn political pageant.

It doesn't have to be this way – because the reality is that it's not. We've already had examples of able leadership that defy the simpleminded stereotypes: black-but-not-angry former Mayor Ron Kirk; female-but-without-a-chip-on-her-shoulder City Manager Mary Suhm; tough-but-not-a-bully Police Chief David Kunkle.

With luck and determination, a new mayor might be a catalyst for broadening Dallas' political horizons. It's easy – really easy – to blame Ms. Miller's personality for the often spiteful tone that characterizes business-as-usual at City Hall.

But I doubt that any one person, no matter how good-natured and well-intentioned, can do this alone.

It'll sure take more than happy talk about "conciliation" and "unity," which right now doesn't seem to mean much more than "not Laura Miller."

It will take a real commitment to giving some attention to the many parts and people of Dallas that don't fit the one-note north-vs.-south script. And it'll take more than just a new mayor: All of us, and I don't exclude the media, need to avoid the cheap, easy political casting that we've all grown so used to.

It's time for this vast, handsome, diverse city to outgrow its cheesy taste for petty stereotypes and race-baiting fireworks. It's time to dump the sullen 1970s politics of fear and anger and try something else.

It's time to write a new script.

E-mail jfloyd@dallasnews.com

[dfwcre8tive]

Mayoral vote pitch may be racial unity
Visions for healing divide in Dallas could be theme of campaigns
12:32 AM CDT on Sunday, July 9, 2006
By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News

Many of the potential candidates for Dallas mayor, in assessing Laura Miller's abrupt departure from the 2007 race, say they plan to make the healing of a racially fractured city the central theme of their campaigns.

The racial polarization and City Council discord that have marked Ms. Miller's 4 ½ years in office already were shaping up to be major campaign issues next year. And her announcement last week that she would not stand for re-election has only added momentum to that trend.

As they jockey for advantage in a crowded field, many candidates see a benefit in drawing a sharp contrast to what they call Ms. Miller's divisive style. "Bringing people together certainly wasn't her long suit," said Dallas lawyer Darrell Jordan, who says he is running. "I want to be a mayor who is inclusive and unifies the city."

Meanwhile, the mayoral field has expanded in the wake of Ms. Miller's dramatic announcement, with the addition of at least three high-profile contenders who say they are pondering a mayoral run.

They include state Rep. Rafael Anchia, former Dallas Cowboys star Pettis Norman and Dallas businessman Albert Black. "Certainly the city would benefit from more unity," Mr. Anchia said. "Moving the city forward and bringing people together from all backgrounds would be an exciting opportunity. I'm seriously considering it."

Mr. Norman, who operates a petroleum transport business, said similar motivations have lured him to the race. "Unity has been the key issue for Dallas for a long time," Mr. Norman said. "We keep missing the target. We've had far too much disunity."

Bridging Dallas' racial divide is likely to be a common mantra in the campaign, political analysts say. "That's the key issue," said Dallas lawyer Michael Boone, former chairman of the Dallas Citizens Council. "The southern sector and the northern sector must work together as a city. It's critical for the future of Dallas."

While Ms. Miller was in the race, the campaign tactics of her potential opponents were obvious. Since Ms. Miller was considered strong in North Dallas, they had to plan appeals to blacks and Hispanics in the southern sector who disliked her.

Now, political analysts say, candidates must tailor their messages to a broader base of potential supporters. "If you were an opponent of Laura Miller, you were guaranteed the southern sector," Mr. Boone said. "Today, nobody is guaranteed the southern sector. There are no longer any anti-Miller votes. The whole dynamic has changed, and out of that new coalitions will be formed."


N. Dallas up for grabs

Political campaigns are often focused on the calls for unity and the building of coalitions.

In 1995, Ron Kirk became the city's first black mayor by promising to end the "blame game" at City Hall.

The circumstances in 2007 could be similar to those faced by Mr. Kirk, who was running for an open seat. With Ms. Miller out of the race, North Dallas is up for grabs, just as it was in 1995.

SMU political scientist Cal Jillson said the high number of votes in North Dallas could discourage campaign rhetoric about a divided city. "At some point somebody is going to say, 'I want those northern votes,' " Dr. Jillson said. "Somebody is going to say: 'You good people in the northern sector of the city have done all the right things, and you deserve the good things you've earned in life. Don't be frightened, I'll protect you.' "

But former City Council member Veletta Forsythe Lill said she did not expect the type of North Dallas campaign run by Ms. Miller, who all but ignored the southern sector.

"There does need to be a definite sense of shared vision," Ms. Lill said. "Some of that vision has to consider racial and ethnic lines, but at the same time we're a younger city, and the way we see ourselves needs to reflect optimism."


Calmer waters

Ms. Lill said that after the last five stormy years, voters crave calmer political waters.

"There is a desire for a greater sense of security and a positive feeling," Ms. Lill said. "Laura staked her reputation on criticism. Maybe people are looking to move away from that style. They are looking to feel good about their city and good about their future."

State Sen. John Carona, who once considered a run for mayor, said Ms. Miller never clearly appreciated the fact that her council colleagues represented separate, distinct districts with competing needs and wants. "There's been a fundamental lack of respect for the fact that each of these people represent different districts and constituencies," he said. "That has to change if the city is going to move forward with issues like growing the economy."

At the same time, some community leaders like radio talk-show host Willis Johnson said voters should be skeptical about candidates who promise too much. "After the election, what happens then?" he asked. "We as an African-American community and the Hispanic community have to be acutely astute as to what they are selling."

Texas Instruments executive Phil Ritter, who is considering entering the race, said he knows what the winning strategy must be for Dallas' next mayor.


Resonating message

"The candidate with a message that resonates through all quarters of the city will be successful," Mr. Ritter said.

Tom Dunning, chairman of the Dallas Citizens Council, said that despite the large number of candidates already in the race, the winner may not have emerged yet. "Other names will surface in the next 30 days," said Mr. Dunning, who lost the mayoral race to Ms. Miller in 2002. "With Laura out, it's no telling what kind of race we will ultimately see."

Mr. Kirk said there is a historical precedent. "At this point, when I ran, nobody was mentioning my name," said the former mayor, who put together a winning coalition of business leaders, minorities and women. "There could be a candidate out there that no one is talking about."

E-mail gjeffers@dallasnews.com


POSSIBLE MAYORAL CONTENDERS

RAFAEL ANCHIA
State representative

Strength: Viewed as rising star with crossover appeal

Weakness: Could be pigeonholed as Hispanic candidate


ALBERT BLACK
Businessman

Strength: Once described as the next Ron Kirk

Weakness: Low name recognition


BILL BLAYDES
City Council member

Strength: Could pull votes in North Dallas

Weakness: Unknown in southern sector


GARY GRIFFITH
City Council member

Strengths: Strong campaigner; support from Tom Hicks

Weakness: Lack of charisma


DON HILL
Mayor pro tem

Strength: Strong support in southern sector

Weakness: Perception he can't win because he's under FBI investigation


DARRELL JORDAN
Lawyer

Strengths: Campaign experience; fundraising ability

Weakness: No traction in southern sector


PETTIS NORMAN

Former Dallas Cowboys star, businessman

Strength: Could attract business and southern-sector support

Weakness: Not a natural politician


ED OAKLEY
City Council member

Strengths: Coalition builder and tenacious campaigner

Weakness: Could have a tough time in the north


MITCHELL RASANSKY
City Council member

Strength: Enjoys North Dallas support

Weakness: Viewed in the south as too close to Laura Miller


PHIL RITTER
Texas Instruments executive

Strength: Business connections

Weakness: Largely unknown

[BigD5349]

^Healing the divide is wonderful, but I'd also like to know who will emphasize economic development and will oppose construction of the Trinity Tollway.

[columbiasooner]

July 11, 2006
Butt for the Grace of God (http://www.dallasobserver.com/blogs/?p=954)
Filed under: News You Can Actually Use, Actually
Ron Price will probably run for mayor. But doesn’t he wanna be, like, powerful and stuff?

Add Ron Price to the long list of elected officials considering a bid for mayor. As recently as last week, the nine-year South Dallas school board member wasn’t even sure he wanted to run for the council seat of Leo Chaney, who is being term-limited out of office next year. He called it a lateral move. But with Mayor Laura Miller announcing she’s out of the running, Price is eying the top spot in city government. (Not including city manager, assistant city manager, assistant to the assistant citymanager and Maxine Thornton-Reese’s campaign donors, of course. ) Today, Price has a scheduled meeting with local business leaders. He was coy about who that group includes, but one of his closest advisors is Jim Neale, an active Republican from North Dallas.

No matter what seat in city government he chooses, Price, whose various ethical dust-ups have been meticulously chronicled in The Dallas Morning News of late, says that he already is zeroing in on his campaign priorities.

“I want to give the police officers more authority to give citations to people who walk around our city with their underwear showing,” he said in a phone interview on Sunday. “It’s one thing for your pants to hang off your butt, but when it’s underneath your buttocks, that’s enough. It’s embarrassing.”

Maybe that’s why Laura Miller dropped out. She knows when she’s outmatched.

Check out the paper version of Unfair Park tomorrow that will have an in-depth profile on why Price’s über-political ways don’t fly in the new world of DISD. –Matt Pulle

[grantboston]

Clearly this is just the next step on his way to the Presidency. I mean, he has publically stated that he would like to be both Governor and President eventually.

[grantboston]

Clearly this is just the next step on his way to the Presidency. I mean, he has publically stated that he would like to be both Governor and President eventually.

With such modesty, drive to meet the needs of his constituancy and clean bill of professional ethics, I can see why Dallas needs him now more than ever. :rolleyes:

But if we won't have Dr. Reese to kick around anymore....

[Justin Terveen]

mdunlap for mayor.... heh..

[UrbanHope]

July 11, 2006
Butt for the Grace of God (http://www.dallasobserver.com/blogs/?p=954)
Filed under: News You Can Actually Use, Actually
Ron Price will probably run for mayor.


I couldn't find the the emoticon that accurately described my laughter after reading the header so I'll just use these :eek: :eek2:

So much for campaign promises

[freewaytincan]

Oh not Mark Cuban. He's a manchild.

[Cliff Dweller]

Why is Gromer Jeffers spinning so hard these days? Is he still on the DMN payroll or does he actually work for Don Hill now?

[tamtagon]

“I want to give the police officers more authority to give citations to people who walk around our city with their underwear showing,” he said in a phone interview on Sunday. “It’s one thing for your pants to hang off your butt, but when it’s underneath your buttocks, that’s enough. It’s embarrassing.”


hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

This guy ought to try to remember what his generation did as teens/young adults that pissed off and embarrassed old folks.

[UrbanHope]

Why is Gromer Jeffers spinning so hard these days? Is he still on the DMN payroll or does he actually work for Don Hill now?

OK, it's just not me. Thanks for the comfirmation.

[freewaytincan]

This guy ought to try to remember what his generation did as teens/young adults that pissed off and embarrassed old folks.

Whenever my parents come down on me for doing something stupid like sitting in a burning couch, I just have to remind them that at least I never smoked pot.

[St-T]

^You should try it sometime.

Why were you burning a couch??? Oh, nevermind, you were trying to start some sort of burning bush thing for your cult but only could burn a couch.

[freewaytincan]

^You should try it sometime.

Why were you burning a couch??? Oh, nevermind, you were trying to start some sort of burning bush thing for your cult but only could burn a couch.

Yes, St-T, I'm still the leader of a cult. And I reccomend you spend the evening of August 1st in a basement, because that's when the aliens are coming to take us. There could be widespread panic.