Spitball Army

This morning’s Birmingham News editorial page features an endorsement for the mayoral election to be held on Tuesday, January 19th.  The piece, penned by Tom Scarritt, comes on the heels of a week when a series of television and radio debates aimed to compare and contrast the candidates’ visions for the future of a major American city on the brink of economic implosion.  The unclear conclusion of the debates is mirrored in the tepid enthusiasm level of the News’ endorsement, reprinted partially here.  The editorial column can be viewed in its entirety online at al.com.

…The choice is not an easy one. As I wrote a month ago, we have the advantage of two candidates who are smart, serious and responsible. Each has the potential to be a good mayor.

William Bell offers his three decades in public office and his deep understanding of the issues and the politics Birmingham’s mayor will confront. There would be no on-the-job training for Bell; he has been in the mayor’s office before, and he knows how to run city government. He is the safe choice.

Patrick Cooper offers a new approach to the old problems plaguing Birmingham. He promises to clean house, scrub the books and bring in bright young minds to energize city government. His resume includes both private-sector success and public service. He is the candidate of change.

Those are the good sides of the candidates, and the reason The News has supported each of them in some past elections.

We have also seen in this election a side of the candidates that is not so appealing. The campaign has gotten so negative that interim Mayor Roderick Royal asked the two to back off….

Both campaigns denied they were behind the most vicious attacks on their opponents. Whether it is the candidates themselves or their supporters who are generating the hateful attack ads, though, it is up to the candidates to control the campaign….

The person who seeks to lead all of us as one community should publicly and forcefully reject the tactics and attacks that divide us. As of the end of last week, both candidates were disappointing on that score.

Still, we must pick one of them as our mayor….Our editorial board met with both candidates, and the endorsement reflects the consensus of that group. As always, we are not trying to tell you how to vote; we are offering our opinion to help you make your own informed choice on Tuesday.

It is your opinion that matters most, but it matters only if you actually vote. Do not let someone else make the choice for you. Go out and vote.