By Antonio D. French
Filed Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 1:18 AM
Despite appearances on his website, a spokesperson for Comptroller Darlene Green has made it clear that Green has not endorsed Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury's re-election bid. Labels: BOA_President_Race
"Comptroller Green believes both men are fine candidates and looks forward to working with whomever the voters choose to continue moving the city forward," said spokesman John Farrell.
Green's photo has been prominently added to the top of Shrewsbury's website this week.
The Comptroller appeared to side with Shrewsbury in opposing the expansion plan of BJC Hospital, the City's largest employer, when she joined with him in denying a second to the mayor's motion to approve the plan at a recent meeting of the powerful Board of Estimate & Apportionment. But now it appears that Green is moving closer to voting in favor of the plan, possibly as soon as Friday.
*Shrewsbury's opponent, Alderman Lewis Reed, is a client of A D French & Associates
21 Comments:
Then that image on his site is nastily deceptive and evidence of deliberate pandering. Boo, hiss. And I thought we were keeping race out of this.
2/22/2007 6:17 AM
what does "not supporting" mean?
how is this any different from Lewis Reed posting a photo of Fire Chief Sherman George on his web site?
2/22/2007 6:27 AM
Well, Jim's is a banner picture with Darlene. One is confronted by it immediately upon viewing his website. The two are depicted side-by-side as peers and the implied message is that she plays some role in his campaign, i.e. that of a supporter. Otherwise, what is the point of including her in a picture.
The picture of Sherman George on Lewis Reed's page, in contrast, is not a banner but is embedded in a linked page. The composition of the picture is marked different. The picture highlights Lewis Reed in his aldermanic role and Sherman George's presence is subordinate, not equal to Lewis Reed's in the picture (I'm not making any comment about their respective positions). There is no implication that George supports Reed.
2/22/2007 6:40 AM
Anonymous #2,
There is no difference. You have to remember that Pubdef is a hired campaign worker for Lewis Reed.
The headline is written in bold to intentionally deceive you and make you think that Green has endorsed Reed, but if you read her statement you see that she clearly has not.
2/22/2007 6:40 AM
how do you know pubdef is working for reed?
isn’t that illegal?
2/22/2007 6:53 AM
Anonymous #5,
No, it’s not illegal. Not ethical, but not illegal.
2/22/2007 7:00 AM
Everyone with sense knows that Green prefers Shrewsbury over Reed. Inside talk is that Reed cut a deal with Lyda, that if she supported him, he would support her efforts in possibly challenging Green in the future. Having Shrewsbury in there protects Green. Many Northside political hacks understand this, and that is why some (notice I said "some" don't respond back that "almost all the northside alderman have supported reed" "some" Northside leaders have not endorsed Reed.
2/22/2007 8:27 AM
I can only think of one committeeman on the northside not in the Reed camp, and that guy is in the pocket and on the payroll of Shrewsbury. As a resident of the northside, I can tell you that guy doesn't represent me or my people, just his own selfish interests. I'm standing with the overwhelming majority of northsiders (Aldermen, committeemen, committeewomen, ward organizations, state representatives and voters) when I support Lewis Reed.
2/22/2007 9:48 AM
Anon #5 -- two points: 1) Antonio is nice enough to post a disclaimer like this on his entries about Reed/Shrewsbury: *Shrewsbury's opponent, Alderman Lewis Reed, is a client of A D French & Associates 2) while not illegal, it's not very journalistic nor very ethical.
2/22/2007 10:05 AM
While I greatly appreciate the high regard in which people hold Pub Def, every now and then I have to remind folks that this is not a newspaper and not a television news network. This is a blog -- a blog produced by one man. That man, me, is a political consultant. This site earns me no profit. So in order to eat and pay my bills, I have to do what I do best: work elections.
Hell, it's not like there are very many good-paying jobs in this town for black reporters. But that's another story.
I think I go above and beyond to (1) deliver you a pretty good product for which you pay nothing, and (2) clearly identify whatever perceived conflicts of interest one may reasonably infer.
This really is a case of "I report. You decide." Except on every story involving someone I have a financial arrangement with, I clearly identify that relationship.
What more do you want?
2/22/2007 10:27 AM
Shrewsbury is against the BJC deal no matter what. Green is trying to work out a compromise to make BJC and the community happy. Explain to me how anyone could think that she supports him?
2/22/2007 10:49 AM
Antonio works for Reed.
Antonio blasts Shrewsbury for bringing race into the campaign.
Antonio points out in every post about the 24th ward Democrats that they have an all-white membership.
Antonio is a hypocrite.
2/22/2007 11:11 AM
the Anonymous above is an idiot,
French works hard to deliver the real deal, this is America asshole not rome! If you going to talk about this man and his work, just dont post here!!!! I would say much more about you and your mother but my comment might get deleted.
2/22/2007 12:17 PM
The race of the membership of the 24th Ward organization is a relevant point when the group's chairman specifically asks the candidates about race!
Now in what possible context is the race of Lewis Reed's wife relevant?
2/22/2007 2:02 PM
Where and when did anyone, other than Antonio and Mr. Reed at the 24th ward meeting, ask about the race of Reed's wife? I got a poll call on Friday, and it did not ask this question.
2/22/2007 3:40 PM
Anonymous @ 3:40, if you did not hear about Reed's being black or his wife being white, maybe you said you supported Shrewsbury, therefore they had no reason to make remarks about Mr. Reed.
2/22/2007 4:06 PM
I said I was undecided.
2/22/2007 4:17 PM
So Lew Reed doesn't want people to mention that he's black and his wife is white? I mean is that really true? I can't beleive it is. He seems more straighforward that that. Doesn't he own his own image? Isn't he proud of who he is?
2/22/2007 10:42 PM
St. Louis is a very tough city for a young or older black man or woman to earn a substantial income in any field, not just journalism. In fact, many young white associates and friends of mine that I respect, tell me that they are ready to leave St. Louis (especially white people from out of town). The number one thing I hear from them is that St. Louis is very segregated in every way imaginable, whether we are talking housing, socially, socio-economically, racially, or you name it! They tell me race hits them in the face here as soon as they arrive, starting with where they are told to live and not to live!
The hypocritical madness that certain media outlets and journalist in this town can report negativity on television or write negative articles about whatever the hell they want concerning certain people from certain communities in the St. Louis region and attack them all day long and keep their positions.
However, when Antonio French's Pub Def, Donald Suggs' St. Louis American and Political Eye, or Lizz Browns' Wake-Up Call on WGNU promotes positive attributes about a certain person or community they are called biased and unethical by anonymous bloggers on this website.
Face it, St. Louis city still discriminates against certain groups of people in 2007 or there would no longer be a need for any of these venues. In addition, there would no longer be a need for organizations dedicated to the struggle for the equality of all men and women.
Let the first one that feels that we have overcome discrimination in St. Louis blog on this website and show their name, and explain how you feel that discrimination on the whole has ended in St. Louis.
In fact, I once again challenge Pub Def (Antonio French) and the Arch City Chronicle (Dave Drebes) to co-host an ongoing forum on race, gender, ethnicity, and discrimination, where is St. Louis really headed in the future and how do, or do these issues affect St. Louis' overall growth as a major city! If we can hold community forums about everything else, why not these important issues. These issues are truly the root of most our problems in St. Louis. By the way my friends, this can be hosted at any time of the year, maybe at a place like the History Museum.
I would love to attend these forums and hear how people of all backgrounds express their opinions in public, face-to-face, on these important matters and maybe the moderators could be none other than Antonio French and Dave Drebes.
We will never be a great city in St. Louis, unless we move forward on these issues. However, segregation heavily profits some people and businesses here, at the expense of the whole St. Louis community.
By the way, I am not a client of Antonio French or Dave Drebes. Unfortunately right now, I can't afford to hire either one of them.
Peace & Love,
Joe Palm
2/23/2007 7:24 AM
Damn, that's a good picture of President Shrewsbury and Comptroller Green!
I guess that's why the Reed camp is "running so scared" in fear of her endorsement.
She's a much better, politically sound, and ethically correct elected official than Reed who says--vote for me because "I'm the Black guy"; yet, endorses Cacchione for 6th Ward Alderman over Kacie Starr Triplett, a qualified, competent African American female. If Comptroller Green says she's out of it; then she's out of it!!
Maybe Reed can learn a lesson or two from her?
2/23/2007 9:07 PM
It would be refreshing (as Joe Palm said) to hear an honest debate/discussion concerning race and St. Louis. Do you think enough people could be honest (I mean REALLY honest) without things degrading into something negative?
2/25/2007 1:14 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home