Best reason to like Sarah Palin

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Wait a minute. So fear-mongering is OK now? Help me understand, SU.

First, I don't trust much news articles talking to old boys about what happened twelve years ago in a mayoral race. Second, who cares what happened when she won mayor race twelve years ago. One think seems clear, those old boys didn't know what hit them.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Levin

Mayors do a lot more than ribbon cutting, even in small towns. At least in the past decade, a majority of their time has been consumed by land-use and growth issues. The politics and interests in this area, even in small towns, is tricky.

Obama would be idiotic to do what you're doing here, dismissing small-town mayors as ribbon-cutters.

What do you mean she has been consumed with land-use and growth issues?

What practical power does the mayor have to address land-use issues? The mayor doesnt issue permits or oversee zoning disputes.

Can anyone cite a specific mayoral power that extends beyond ceremonial tasks....ie, ribbon cutting? local parades? Mayors don't even really have any power on the city council.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

What do you mean she has been consumed with land-use and growth issues?

What practical power does the mayor have to address land-use issues? The mayor doesnt issue permits or oversee zoning disputes.

Can anyone cite a specific mayoral power that extends beyond ceremonial tasks....ie, ribbon cutting? local parades? Mayors don't even really have any power on the city council.

Most mayor chair the city council, to which zoning variances are appealed.

They go from planning to the council in which the mayor takes part. I'm only familiar with that aspect. They also make appointments within city government. They have executive powers depending upon the jurisdiction.

[Levin]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

What do you mean she has been consumed with land-use and growth issues?

What practical power does the mayor have to address land-use issues? The mayor doesnt issue permits or oversee zoning disputes.

Can anyone cite a specific mayoral power that extends beyond ceremonial tasks....ie, ribbon cutting? local parades? Mayors don't even really have any power on the city council.

Looks like you missed Local Government class at law school.

Many mayors have a vote on the city council, set the agenda, negotiate with land owners over variances and incentives, sit on zoning boards, coordinate litigation when landowners sue, work out settlements, appoint members to planning commissions and zoning boards, etc.

Again, Obama won't do it b/c he's smart, but your attack on small-town mayors as ribbon-cutters is just plain dumb. It may not equal "presidential" experience, and that will be Obama's take, but mayors have a lot of sway, and do a lot of good, within their jurisdictions.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Most mayor chair the city council, to which zoning variances are appealed.

They go from planning to the council in which the mayor takes part. I'm only familiar with that aspect. They also make appointments within city government. They have executive powers depending upon the jurisdiction.

I know they chair the city council. If they are lucky, they get 1 vote. Often, they get no vote.

So being mayor doesnt seem to give any credence to the notion that she was consumed by any particular land use issues. If she were lucky, she may have had one vote on a larger panel of 9-11 people.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Levin

Looks like you missed Local Government class at law school.

Many mayors have a vote on the city council, set the agenda, negotiate with land owners over variances and incentives, sit on zoning boards, coordinate litigation when landowners sue, work out settlements, appoint members to planning commissions and zoning boards, etc.

Again, Obama won't do it b/c he's smart, but your attack on small-town mayors as ribbon-cutters is just plain dumb. It may not equal "presidential" experience, and that will be Obama's take, but mayors have a lot of sway, and do a lot of good, within their jurisdictions.

I am not attacking it. I have never been a mayor, so congrats to all that have.

But it doesnt change the fact that it is basically a glorified ribbon cutting job.

i think the reason it isnt being raised is simply because it is fairly self-evident.

I would venture that City Manager is more impressive than mayor. At least city managers have to make actual decisions.

[Levin]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

I am not attacking it. I have never been a mayor, so congrats to all that have.

But it doesnt change the fact that it is basically a glorified ribbon cutting job.

i think the reason it isnt being raised is simply because it is fairly self-evident.

I would venture that City Manager is more impressive than mayor. At least city managers have to make actual decisions.

Mayors hire and fire city managers.

You've done no work to educate yourself here.

[Levin]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

Some mayors do. But aren't we really only interested in what Palin did? Who cares what the mayor of Tuscaloosa or New York City does. It isn't particularly relevant to this analysis. What did SHE do as mayor?

One involved citizen in Wasilla has this to say:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.co...n-on.html#more

I read Andrew Sullivan too, and that you get your news on Palin from him speaks volumes. That is, that you form your opinions on Palin based on what you read there speaks volumes.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by Levin

I read Andrew Sullivan too, and that you get your news on Palin from him speaks volumes. That is, that you form your opinions on Palin based on what you read there speaks volumes.

Nice shot, Levin.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Levin

Mayors hire and fire city managers.

You've done no work to educate yourself here.

So still, no real experience.

I guess she hires and fires the people that make the decisions?

Also, she *may* have one vote on the city council.

Sweet.

Hail to the Chief!