About the Green Withdrawal -- and Jackie, Too
Lots of buzz about Jackie Green dropping out of the mayor's race and endorsing Greg Fischer. Some are calling it a "sell-out," while others (including Hal Heiner) are saying that Fischer "sold a city department of government in exchange for a political endorsement." A few people are even calling it a violation of campaign law.
I've got two comments to make:
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First, the quid pro quo here is exactly what Jackie Green wanted when he ran -- to have his ideas heard and his passions addressed. The creation of a Sustainability Office fits right in with Jackie's heavy involvement with the Green Convene. Jackie has been talking about "sustainability" in all the meanings of that word for years. For Greg to promise to create that office is the realization of a dream for Jackie. If Greg actually does it, actually staffs it, and actually pays attention to it, then that will be a significant achievement, for the city and for Greg and Jackie.
In answer to the people who are calling this the sale of a government office, I call your attention to this part of the C-J story:
Green said he decided to endorse Fischer after being assured that he will be given “significant input” in the structure of a new environmental office — called the Office of Sustainability — which the Democrat wants to create if he is elected.
Earlier Friday, Green told The Courier-Journal that he would only support Fischer if his campaign were allowed to select the director of that office. But ultimately, Green settled for less.
“That was as far as they could go, and as much as we could ask from them,” Green said of trading his endorsement for the promise of input into creating the office.
There is no offer of a spot on the payroll, no money changing hands. Jackie got his issues addressed, and Greg got the endorsement. Would it have been cleaner without the mention of the new department? Yes, it would have. But perhaps Jackie insisted on Greg being on the record before he, Jackie, would drop out.
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Second -- I have known Jackie Green for a few years now, and I know him to be an honest, caring, and dedicated individual. I can no more see him as a back-room deal-maker than I can see him driving an SUV. There is no doubt in my mind that the only reason Jackie did this is to move this city forward, and to make sustainability in all its facets a part of city government.
Anyone who says Jackie sold out just doesn't know Jackie Green.
Monday, October 18, 2010 at 9:05PM
Reader Comments (5)
Honest, caring, dedicated individuals can make mistakes. And if this mistake is as serious as some claim, it's a whopper. Let's see the e-mails so we can clear the smoke.
It's also interesting that even if nothing illegal or unethical occurred, it seems a bit disconcerting that Mr. Green perhaps did not run the kind of serious, run-to-completion campaign that his supporters expected, all to endorse a candidate he expressed grave disagreements with, some of these disagreements being released very recently.
I agree -- let's see the emails. That would certainly help clear the air (or smoke, as it were).
As for Jackie not finishing -- again, I agree, but I understand the political calculus that he might have made. If he runs to the end, his 3% could keep Fischer from winning, and his issues could be dealt a death-blow. In that situation, he becomes Nader in Florida in 2000. Running a campaign till the end when (a) you have no chance of winning, and (b) the very act of running to the end could cause your issues to actually lose, is not an act of honor -- it is an act of ego, I think.
Thanks for commenting, though! And if we actually do get a serious Office of Sustainability, we can all celebrate.
I'm not sure I concur that Green's issues are all lost with a Heiner victory. After all, Heiner supports a much-reduced ORBP (good for the environment) and Fischer has actually seemed more cozy with greenfield developers than Heiner has. On the council, Heiner has a record of being somewhat tough with developers. I hope to have more on this soon at Louisville History & Issues.
As for the Office of Sustainability, I'm not sure what this office will actually do, and I'm afraid of it becoming an example of government bloat. I'd rather see the Neighborhoods office re-funded. All in all, I think Fischer may be promising more city expansion than is possible to pay for. I almost sound like a Republican, but really, I believe in doable progress that's affordable.
I take issue with the speculation "But perhaps Jackie insisted on Greg being on the record before he, Jackie, would drop out."
It's leaving out the much more likely scenario that Greg insisted Jackie drop out for him to go on the record acknowledging he'd be a valuable part of his administration. Fischer apologist much?
However, I do think it's commendable that you have gone out of your way to express gratitude for Jackie's contributions to our city. I agree wholeheartedly.
Jackie Green will continue in his efforts to bring Louisville to a more sustainable existence regardless of who wins the election. He would be happy to have an office under a shade tree as much as city hall when it comes down to where you do your best work. I like Jackie's mobile office the best. He's a true spokesperson! Pun intended. I just hope the Fischer camp isn't taking him for a ride.