Wayne State University asked key questions of both candidates for this race about issues important to the future of Detroit. Additionally, on April 29, 2009 Wayne State University hosted two town hall sessions with Detroit mayoral candidates Ken Cockrel, Jr. and Dave Bing. Now we're asking you who has your vote and why. Sound off on our blog, and let us know which candidate has your support and what the determining factor(s) are.
I think Cockrel has my vote. After listening to a couple of these debates/town halls he just seems more competent to me. Bing may be a good businessman, but Detroit needs a good mayor. Besides, think of all the wasted time and effort the city would be faced with if we get rid of Cockrel now just to have Bing transition in and hold down the D for a few months. It's not worth it.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't possibly vote for someone who only moved into the city to run for office. Weren't we good enough to be his neighbors before?
ReplyDeleteGive me a break. I'll take Bing any day of the week. We need someone up to the challenge of balancing Detroit's budget, investing in our children's future and providing a positive image for the city of Detroit. Go Bing Go!
ReplyDeleteI'm passing on this special election due to unqualified candidates.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, the general election will produce a better crop of talented people.
Roland, if you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteI think you all give Ken Cockrel a bad name. Some say he's moving too slowly, others just don't think he's got the credentials for the job. I think you're all entirely too judgmental. I think the man is doing a decent job. He even seems to be a likable guy. Given time, I see him doing great things for the city of Detroit.
ReplyDeleteRegis My vote goes to Dave Bing. A talented and competent business leader who is vested in Detroit. Detroit needs a new voice and I believe that Mr. Bing is that voice that will get Detroit through this most difficult and challenging time hand down.
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Ken Cockrel. Change takes time. Anyone who attended the debates could see Cockrel's passion for the city and that love and concern is a part of his history. From what I have read, Cockrel was raised in a an environment where community involvement and activism was a priority. Cockrel has taken that knowledge from his father's era and assimilated into the system, without losing focus on what needs to be done in Detroit, from an economic perspective as well as from an interpersonal perspective....because he cares about the people.
ReplyDeleteGo Kenny Jr. .....Fulfill the dream.
Ed,
ReplyDeleteA citizen has both the right to vote or not to vote. Blaming me for the problems of the day for my exercising my right not to vote is too, too typical of the mindset that quickly rushes to calculate judgment.
If there are two bad apples in a basket, I will not eat neither of them. I will wait for the next batch of apples to come in from harvest in hopes that there will be some worthy of my consumption.
Roland, lovely metaphor. However, while you're over there declining to exercise your right to vote the world keeps spinning. Like it or not, come May 5th one of these "bad apples" will be running the city. I think it's better to choose the lesser of two evils and see where that gets us. Because those who don't exercise their right to vote don't have the right to complain later. In short, a vote is a terrible thing to waste.
ReplyDeletePoor Ed,
ReplyDeleteToo bad you still have confidence in a system that is rotten and that you somehow think will make the world better.
Clearly, the world will have a chance for a much better ride as a result of forces outside of this antiquated, backwards, and fraudulent "voting" system.
In fact, this mayoral election will produce a protest vote (meaning a low, low turn-out) that Detroit has never seen before, and this despite Obama helping to register numerous new voters.
Rightfully so, most Detroiters know deep down inside that this city is being taken and ran by entities that they cannot see, find or identify (and may not look like them).
Roland,
ReplyDeleteHow easy it is to criticize people who are at least trying to do something. if you don't think either candidate is suited for the job, why don't you run for office and show them how it's done?
As for the people who decide not to vote... ignorance is bliss, i guess. but that takes me right back to my first post, if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem. and that is not a judgment, but an esoteric truth.
Ed,
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you mind your own business and stop the name calling.
Looks like things are getting a little heated in here, LOL. I think i'm going to have to give my vote to Ken Cockrel, Jr. There are two reasons why: 1) he has a fervent love for the D and 2) he went to Wayne State University! Go Cockrel!
ReplyDeleteHello, Roland.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering what a Detroiter looks like. Do you have a description to share so I'll recognize them when I see them?
Currently, the majority of Detroiters (meaning those that reside inside the City of Detroit) are Black Africans.
ReplyDeleteI think i'm going to vote for Cockrel. He hasn't really had time to fill Kilpatrick's shoes just yet. I think we need to give him a little more time in office to discern exactly what he's about. Hopefully, he'll stay in office for the rest of Kilpatrick's term and show us his vision of Detroit. However, if things don't start to change by election time I think it would be fair to look elsewhere for leadership.
ReplyDelete