flyingsquirrel

Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 11:46 a.m.

Oh my, what a twisted version of the truth of Pat's involvement in the Northside PTO this is! So much she neglected to include. Like how, when she contacted parents to see if they wanted to be involved, she then had them submit resumes to see if she considered them "qualified" to be on the PTO board. The sitting board took exception to that and told her all interested parents should be welcome, but she felt she could determine who was most qualified. Interestingly, both her and her partner passed the test and, in her mind, held the necessary qualifications to hold office. Who wasn't qualified? No one will ever know, because Pat refused to pass on names of people who were interested, but whom she didn't think were qualified. Her version of events also neglects to mention that every other member serving on the nominating committee with her quit the committee and disassociated themselves with her based on her behavior. She neglects how she fought, as far as the district level, to keep a teacher in the school from running for office on the PTO (apparently because she didn't feel she could win the election against the teacher). And she neglects to mention how, after the tide turned against her, she had her partner read a letter she wrote about how horrible the PTO was and then had no further involvement with the organization. As with everything else, Pat's version of the "truth" is based more on fantasy than reality.

Cynthia Plaster Caster

Sun, Jul 18, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.

Here is what Lesko had to say about her PTO experience on a2politico.com(February 6, 2010 The Politics of the PTO: A Stranger Is Just A Friend You Havent Met): "Several years ago, when my eldest first began grade school, I attended a PTO meeting, looked around the table, and didnt see a single parent of color among the six or seven people there. Since the school has a large non-white population, I wondered why there seemed to be little PTO participation from the wider community of parents, not just parents of color, but people from the larger community of parents from U of Ms North Campus Housing, folks from around the world. When it came time to rustle up volunteers for an upcoming event, I said I would stand in front of the school, if need be, and buttonhole parents as they dropped off their kids. I did just that, and found that most of the parents whom I approached were willing (if not always able). I soon came to realize that the problem wasnt a lack of interest on the part of the schools parents, but that the long-time volunteer PTO parents were so busy keeping the PTO afloat, that reaching out to people other than those whom they knew was forever falling to the bottom of the to-do list. It happens in organizations and groups all the time. A few long-term volunteers do all the work and, when volunteers dont just step forward, begin to believe no one is interested in helping them. Well, Im a problem-solver. I got a copy of the PTO bylaws and read the rules on PTO elections. I volunteered to Chair the PTO Nominating Committee (the first one formed in, literally, five years). Getting more people involved, I reasoned, would be as simple as following the bylaws and election rules. The bylaws called for the formation of a Nominating Committee to put together a slate of candidates. The project involved lots of elbow grease. The Nominating Committee collected names of potential PTO officers and members-at-large. In fact, I phoned over 300 parents over the course of a month to ask if theyd like to be involved in the PTO as officers or a members-at-large. It was a great experience for me, personally. I spoke with a huge number of parents, and together with the other members of the Nominating Committee, put together a slate of candidates that, in effect, tripled the number of parents involved in PTO leadership, and drew in parents from the various communities of parents in the school. I did this, because I wanted to see a wider range of people have a voice at the table, and to have the PTO representative of the community at the school. Not everyone was happy, though, with having to follow the bylaws, or with the fact that I had asked practically every parent in the school to participatestrangers to those whod been involved for years."

DonBee

Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 10:23 p.m.

There were over 200 people on the PTO prior to Ms Lesko. After Lesko, probably 20 remained. The newsletter suffered, the fund raising suffered, and class activities suffered. We were active prior to Ms Lesko, and dropped out after the Letter reading episode. We befriended Ms. Lesko when she appeared, but have not spoken to her since that episode. Ms. Lesko never returned to the PTO, she just left the mess for others to clean up.

Dr. Strangelove

Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 9:11 p.m.

DonBee said, "It will take several more years for the PTO to recover." You mean it will take several more years for a small clique that excludes most parents from participating to get back to running the Northside PTO? Pat Lesko has exactly the personality to lead Ann Arbor back to a focus on basic services. The Northside PTO experience actually tells why Pat is qualified to lead this city! We need somebody with ethics who is not afraid to tell the truth; if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. It's interesting that the best the Mayor's flacks and AnnArbor.com can come up with is blatant Ad Hominem attacks; anything to avoid the real issues facing this city. I noticed in the last Monday debate that the Gang of Seven folks all sang the high praise of Ann Arbor's SPARK and Lesko's folks were critical of SPARK. Could this be why we are getting such crappy election coverage out of AnnArbor.com? Laural Champion is on the SPARK board--the nexus thickens!

Bob

Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 10:44 a.m.

Wow - this is the most entertaining blog I've encountered in a long time. I'm not sure why so many people are getting so excited, this is America and we all have the right to express our opinions. Phil Volk has every right to express his opinion and we all have the right to agree or disagree. I'm with Moonmaiden (the very first and most logical comment so far) - just vote.

DonBee

Sat, Jul 17, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.

Just vote Ms. Lesko in already. Then you can watch her do the same magic she did at Northside. It will take several more years for the PTO to recover.

bedrog

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.

speechless...although we've disagreed elswhere your above is very on point...but let's get even more specific. among that manichaean, black/white, no- nuance crowd are some really bad actors who drape themselves in sanctimionious, self -righteous labels of 'progressive' 'human rights' activism when in actuality they are to such things as michael vick is to 'animal lover... a number of prominent GREEN Party -ers and synagogue harassers are in that number. (indeed the 2 overlap). no question about it. the jan, feb and march issues of the washtenaw jewish news lays out alot of the 'who's who' in this crowd...and actually lesko is sort of their casualty in this, although she's had plenty of chances to distance herself from them publically and hasn't ( although doing so privately,which doesn't cut much cheese!...i meant ice!! )

Speechless

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.

Quoted from further above: "... She has made it very clear by her behavior that you are with her 100% and everyone else is against her. When you are against her, she automatically accuses those people of being prejudiced, thieves, liars, etc. I have never once heard her ever state any accountability for her actions." Unfortunately, this mindset has been not uncommon among city council's organized opposition in the last five or six years. While, of course, not every political opponent acts this way, it seems those who've assumed leadership roles have shown inclination to head this direction more often than not. So it's not surprising that Pat Lesko and city council opponents were initially drawn to one another. They both have that Bush-ian "you're either with us or against us" personal approach hardwired into their activist demeanor. You could also encounter this attitude among the city council majority in recent years (particularly Leigh Greden), but one might wish that their opponents would seek to build a true alternative culture rather than try to win elections by raising this aggressive, political machismo factor to a higher level. In this season's high-visibility mayoral primary, Lesko has merely continued some of the allied opposition's more hostile traditions of recent years, although this time in high relief. By now, a growing number of city council opponents must realize they've gotten more than they bargained for through her recent involvement. On the other hand, Lesko's take-no-prisoners approach to issue resolution found a welcoming home in this loosely-oganized community base. Given the opponents' attraction to black & white, comic-book narratives of Good and Evil in local politics, Pat Lesko's strong "attack" mode, especially evident in her blog and earlier campaign work, found a generally receptive audience.

Speechless

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 5:20 p.m.

Actually, I'm opposed to Lesko (as my next comment should make quite clear — the one I came here to post), while also critical of some city council decisions. What I wrote up above was intended as an alternate analysis to help explain a conspicuous effort by both Volk and Hieftje to make Lesko's behavior an overt campaign issue. I think it's not personal so much as a matter of overall campaign strategy. Usually, the campaign of a mayoral candidate on a political slate works to reinforce and strengthen the ward campaigns of allied city council candidates. This year, however, the intended dynamic has run in reverse for the challengers, whose election hopes have dimmed through their association with Lesko. Naturally, the incumbent mayor and city council candidates (along with supporters like Volk) seek to exploit this weakness in their opposition. Democrats did the same thing nationally in 2006-08 by linking state and local Republican candidates to the faltering Bush & Cheney. And now, back to our regularly scheduled comment....

demistify

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.

Spinless, Your solicitude for Lesko's running mates is touching. They chose to sign up with her of their own free will, so why complain? As to your (and Cahill's) claim of negative campaigning, I am reminded of Harry Truman's reply to the shouts of "Give'em hell, Harry!": He was just telling the truth, but that felt like hell to his opponents.

pseudo

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 1:33 p.m.

oh come on! The LGBT communities are rarely unified on these kinds of issues. We have so many groups and the like. This insn't nearly the big deal Phil Volk or Ann Arbor.com would like it to be. This is a group that is 4 people with an acronym who haven't been elected to represent ANYONE. let it go. Vote on who you think presents the best ideas, the best likelihood for success.

HaeJee

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.

Dear Deb, I am glad you do not live in Ann Arbor and can vote. The sympathy you feel for Lesko are feelings she has never shown to others. She has made it very clear by her behavior that you are with her 100% and everyone else is against her. When you are against her, she automatically accuses those people of being prejudice, thieves, liars, etc. I have never once heard her ever state any accountability for her actions and hurt she has causes individuals or groups that she destroyed. I watched many good hearted people in the Northside community get hurt by her. She is a coward for running away from all scandal she starts. She is a coward for writing letters of accusations and having her partner Marjorie read it for her. She only lists to herself and believes her way is the only way. I can only feel sorry for her that she wont confront the fact that she only leaves destruction everywhere she wants to make change to. She should just focus on her publishing job and stop causing havoc everywhere. Sorry, I agree that she is an embarrassment. I saw from my first impression of her at the Northside PTO meeting 4 years ago and it seems that she has not changed.

Autumn Craft

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 11:07 a.m.

@Bob asks: Why is Ms. Lesko getting so much heat? Is she really that bad of a candidate, or is there another underlying reason? Yes, she really is that bad of a candidate. People who have known her in any context whatsoever--her neighbors, the LGBT community, disparate folks who have tried to work with her in any variety of groups, fact-checkers who have noticed she lies constantly, bloggers, members of her past and present religious communities--are banding together to let the rest of Ann Arbor know what they know from long, sad experience. She's getting a lot of heat because she's earned it. I've never seen any candidate generate so much animus from so many different fronts. Pat Lesko seem to think that her past will never catch up with her. She's careened from group to group for years, laying waste and moving on, and it worked well for her. She was like one of those land-walking predator snakefish, working her way from pond to pond and gobbling up all the minnows. Now, she's slithered her way into a bigger pond, and she's going after bigger prey--but all the minnows are chewing at her flanks. To switch metaphors, Pat Lesko is now being hoist by her own petard. It's richly deserved.

clownfish

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.

STEPHEN LANDES- how is this "typical leftist group identity politics"? I would think that "typical leftists" would support a GLBT candidate regardless of their stances. Or, is it just easier for you to bandy these terms around to make yourself "feel" better about your disgust of anything "leftist"?

Pete Warburton

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 8 a.m.

If Lesko needs to drop out of mayoral race because she lied and misrepresented facts..??.. Hieffje should drop out...Just check his body of work.

Nick

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 7:55 a.m.

This is a caucus WITHIN the Democratic Party. Mr. Stanton needs to do a much better job explaining why this is news to the city at large or relevant to the mayoral race in November.

a2roots

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.

Wake up Ann Arbor. Lesko regardless of her color, sexual orientation, or anything else you want to throw out is not a credible or qualified candidate for Mayor. I too would rather have different choices but until we get rid of partisan politics or the Republicans somehow re-emerge we are stuck with what we have. By the way, City Hall needed to be replaced 30 years ago. Long overdue, however the architect surely missed the boat. And why is it that people that do not live in Ann Arbor need to spout off. The PD and FD union membership only back Lesko because they do not live in Ann Arbor and only care about their paychecks. I certainly have issues with Hieftje but you are mistaken to believe for one minute that Lesko can handle the full scope of the job

Rasputin

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 7:08 a.m.

I think its unfortunate and childish to factor in sexuality as part of the political process; we should vote for the person we deem most qualified. Factoring sexuality in a political debate is machiavellian to say the least!

stunhsif

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 7:06 a.m.

Who cares what Phil Volk and his LGBTAC group think. This is about politics not sexual identity. Ann Arbor politics is a joke. When first reading this article, I thought it was a political spoof but it is for real which is hilarious. Good Day

Madhatter

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 6:27 a.m.

There appears to be a lot of criticism of Ms. Lesko, and I am starting to wonder why... We live in a society of special interests. Why is Ms. Lesko getting so much heat? Is she really that bad of a candidate, or is there another underlying reason? Ms. Lesko certainly created a heated debate with the mayor. I ask that everyone do their own research, and observe Ms. Lesko's ideas personally, before deciding to exclude her as a valid candidate. Whenever you see negative criticism you should ask yourself why. We see a political culture where candidates are chastised by special interest groups. They make life hell on the candidates and try to "shut them up." Is this the case with Ms. Lesko, or is she really a bad candidate?

Cash

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 6:24 a.m.

@Mitch, Loved your Perez Hilton comment. LOL I agree. I equate this tactic to trying to "bully" a candidate out of running. And that is just plain wrong, regardless of any other issues at hand. I expect this misstep will do more good for Lesko than harm. She will now get the sympathy of many voters. I think people respect the right of any group to endorse, although I know an endorsement never impacted my vote. But no one likes a bully.

InsideTheHall

Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 3:20 a.m.

This just in. Lesko has been endorsed by the Disabled Left Handed Lesbians Coalition. The 7 member group claims solidarity to sista Pat.

Autumn Craft

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 9:10 p.m.

"Was George W. Bush an embarrassment to heterosexuals?" Um, yes, he sure was! And lots of straight white conservative heterosexual men voted for him because he was "one of them." Blacks vote for Blacks more often than whites do. Women for vote other women more often than men do. Jews vote for other Jews more often than Christians do. This is a political reality. Candidates can usually count on support from their "home" communities, whether they be racial, cultural, religious, or otherwise identity-based. An example-- Someone commenting on Lesko's own website made this blithe statement back in April: Lesko will undoubtedly have the massive support of the LGBT community in Metro Detroit. (http://www.a2politico.com/?p=1485&cpage=1#comment-4537) Organizations of many types "tell" their members how to vote through endorsements. Whether or not the individual members choose to follow the organization's lead is completely up to them, of course. Volk and LOL are simply making sure that everyone knows that it isn't "identity politics as usual" this time around. And it's important that they do so: as others above have mentioned, Lesko herself makes it a point to draw attention to the fact that's she's a lesbian, because she thinks that is going to garner her some votes--and she's got another think coming!

Speechless

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 9:01 p.m.

I'll suggest Volk's rhetorical rebuke reflects a recent, ongoing tactical shift by the mayor and the city council majority. They've gone increasingly negative toward Lesko, because at this point they sense clear political advantage to be gained by further linking Lesko in voter's minds to the three city council challengers allied with her. Rather than providing support, as it should, her campaign has likely damaged their election prospects at the ward level. She won't win the mayoral primary against Hieftje, and that is not what's at stake here. Instead, the council majority wants to improve chances for the more vulnerable city council incumbents by heavily weighing down each of their ward challengers with the baggage of Lesko's past & present controversies as well as her growing negative image. The real target of Volk's harsh pronouncement, I believe, is not Lesko, but actually Kailasapathy, Eaton, and Glorie in the separate city council races.

Snarf Oscar Boondoggle

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 9 p.m.

@JimFuester... The rational among us see through her charges and accusations for what they are -- misdirection and [miss-]wizardry to confuse the voting public... all under the banner of "The current politicians are BAD and I am GOOD -- I will SAVE the day!" Hogwash. a bit earlier i considered attaching the lable 'firebrand' to lesko's outbursts and under the cover of the above, and some vocabulary refinements (included below), i can now correctly use that lable, "firebrand." http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/firebrand firebrand Main Entry: firebrand Pronunciation: \-brand\ Function: noun Date: 13th century 1 : a piece of burning wood... [ed: but not the word you think] 2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a cause) : agitator http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fagot fagot Main Entry: 1fagot \fa-gt\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English fagot, from Anglo-French Date: 14th century : bundle: as a : a bundle of sticks b : a bundle of pieces of wrought iron to be shaped by rolling or hammering at high temperature a _single_ 'g' makes all the difference, not a tpyo. that having been said, lesko should NOT resign from the race - let the voters decide the leadership they want. there is still some semblence of america reamininag.

northside

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8:28 p.m.

Was George W. Bush an embarrassment to heterosexuals? If Lesko's campaign is lousy than that speaks to the candidate and the campaign. It doesn't say anything about the GLBT community. I'm troubled that an advocate would suggest that it does.

Gorc

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 7:40 p.m.

This article doesn't reflect politics....it simply states how how an organization personally feels about Mrs. Lesko. As mentioned in previous articles on A2.com.....her neighbors don't respect her, she has offended folks at her local school's PTO, and now people in the gay community are expressing their displeasure regarding her behavior. Mrs. Lesko seems to have alienated a lot of people with her crappy behavior over the years. Hopefully she will learn a life's lesson with how to properly treat people through this election process.

Macabre Sunset

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 7:25 p.m.

Lokalisierung, that is not my intent. If you look up the definition of preference in the dictionary, there is no implication of causality. I'm heterosexual. It would be impossible for me to have a sexual attraction to another man. But I would still state heterosexual as my sexual preference.

Deb

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.

* I don't live in A2 but I commute and I work there. I rely on first responders when I'm there, the very people she's working very hard for so they are not laid off.

Heardoc

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 7:03 p.m.

This is just another joke. Annarbor.com has such a difficult time being fair. There must be a collective problem with this organization. Why would anyone print this garbage -- What other organization seeks out far left groups to seek their opinion? Where is the real journalism happening -- not here......

Cash

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.

@Mitch, "As a gay man, I completely agree with the LGBT caucus on this one. Can you imagine an African-American caucus supporting the white opponent?." Yes I can imagine an African American caucus supporting a white candidate. They did it for decades until Barack Obama ran. And even them certain black caucuses support Hillary Clinton. They certainly supported FDR and Clinton. I'd assume you really do know this already.

Lokalisierung

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.

You keep infering that sexuality is a "preference." As in you can make a choice to be gay or not, which is thinking from another era. Or at least another region. That term doesn't exsist anymore...it's like "Global Warming."

Macabre Sunset

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 6:03 p.m.

Lokalisierung, why do you feel that way? I'm only saying sexual preference is private and immaterial to a candidacy. I believe in full equal rights for gay people, including marriage (and divorce). Blaine, while I hope anyone running for local office has the good sense not to make statements about foreign affairs, I would definitely eliminate consideration of any candidate who supported terrorism or Islamofascism.

David Cahill

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 5:49 p.m.

I'm not involved with either campaign, but I have come up with an explanation of Hieftje's attacks on Lesko at last Saturday's Democratic Party forum and Volk's statement: The Hieftje campaign has done a poll showing Lesko is ahead, or at least a threat. This idea is pure speculation on my part. Campaigns that are well ahead don't "go negative," knowing that doing so offends many voters. But a campaign that is in trouble may feel it has no choice.

Urban Sombrero

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 5:46 p.m.

Oh my goodness, who cares? This group endorses this person. That group endorses that person. Etc, etc, etc, etc. It's irrelevant. Vote your conscience, people. Otherwise, you're just sheep.

bedrog

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 5:16 p.m.

i support the rights of gays to all the same benefits as any other taxpayers...marriage, adoption etc. they also have the right to run for any office in the land... and to accept the personal responsibilities/ liklihoods of their heterosexual counterpart/candidates to be trounced badly if they act like asses. the call for her resignation by the so-called 'gay community' leadership is as ill-advised and counterproductive as the calls by blaine coleman above to vote for lesko simply because she's gay. how utterly patronizing and offensive!!

Lokalisierung

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 4:59 p.m.

"Isn't that type of biased statement exactly what minorities have been fighting for decades?" I don't know about that, but I'm positive statements like yours "by someone who happens to prefer to have sexual relations with someone of the same gender" is exactly what the LGBT crowd have been fighting against.

Macabre Sunset

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.

Mitch, does that mean that a straight white male should support only straight white male candidates? Why are your interests best represented by someone who happens to prefer to have sexual relations with someone of the same gender? How is that relevant? Isn't that type of biased statement exactly what minorities have been fighting for decades?

NoBowl4Blue

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.

That seals it. If the gays don't want her, I do.

Snarf Oscar Boondoggle

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.

@JimFuester... The rational among us see through her charges and accusations for what they are -- misdirection and [miss-]wizardry to confuse the voting public... all under the banner of "The current politicians are BAD and I am GOOD -- I will SAVE the day!" Hogwash. a bit earlier i considered attaching the lable 'firebrand' to lesko's outbursts and under the cover of the above, and some vocabulary refinements (included below), i can now correctly use that lable, "firebrand." http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/firebrand firebrand Main Entry: firebrand Pronunciation: \-brand\ Function: noun Date: 13th century 1 : a piece of burning wood... [ed: but not the word you think] 2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a cause) : agitator http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fagot fagot Main Entry: 1fagot \fa-gt\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English fagot, from Anglo-French Date: 14th century : bundle: as a : a bundle of sticks b : a bundle of pieces of wrought iron to be shaped by rolling or hammering at high temperature a _single_ 'g' makes all the difference, not a tpyo. that having been said, lesko should NOT resign from the race - let the voters decide the leadership they want. there is still some semblence of america reamininag.

Jonathan

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.

Speaking for myself as a Democrat - Mr Volk has lost all credibility with me.

Lokalisierung

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.

"So what? Is this Detroit now?" No it isn't detroit, since the 4 things you mentioned took 2 years to happen. I don't think I'm goign on a limb here saying that happens in Detroit a little more often. "Layed off cops....................But BRAND NEW CITY HALL!" It's a Police & Courts building also.

Barb

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.

This is just ridiculous. I'm putting my Lesko sign back up. Please, everyone vote in August. We have a lot at stake here.

Cash

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 2:57 p.m.

No one group has a right to tell someone to withdraw from the race. Has this group ever asked a heterosexual person to withdraw? So they think they have a right to tell her what to do because she is gay? God help the movement if people like this are claiming to represent the rights of homosexuals. This is bad. Very bad. It certainly does not speak well for this group. Shame on them. Each voter will chose...and not based on your bullying tactics, Mr Volk.

Bill Wilson

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.

Chase... enough! I am no fan of Ms. Lesko's... but I am totally outraged on her behalf. I, and I am sure many others, had better hear a good explaination.

Chase Ingersoll

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.

LOL: that you have to be LOL rather than OL, I think gives support to the notion that there is a political advantage, in Ann Arbor at least and on some issues, to being gay. If such advantage is a reality, would that not be in effect a form of bigotry against those of us unfortunate to have been born heterosexual, or would such bigotry be licensed against us "heteros" as some form of payback for the intolerances of past generations?

Bill Wilson

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 2:31 p.m.

I cannot believe that AnnArbor.com printed this. What is it, April 1st already?

Macabre Sunset

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 2:14 p.m.

I echo the commentary that this is bizarre. I personally call for every politician in every community who has made misleading or dishonest statements during a campaign to withdraw from their respective races. Oops. I just called for an end to modern politics. It is too bad, though, that there isn't a solid candidate in this particular race. The incumbent has been ineffective. The challenger, while often correctly identifying the problems with the incumbent, isn't exactly a paragon of integrity and has received endorsements from groups that are responsible for much of our current fiscal mess. This is one of those days you wish the Republicans hadn't left Ann Arbor. Not that I'd want one of those DeVos types. Just someone truly interested in fiscal decency.

rusty shackelford

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 1:25 p.m.

Not to worry, I'm sure there's some byzantine conspiracy everyone is in on that explains all this, just like it explains all of Rosenthal's other critics.

Deb

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.

Don't back down, Pat. This is vile behavior on the part of many individuals and the last I heard, we still live in a democracy so let the voters decide -- not bullies.

lumberg48108

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:45 p.m.

wow - until today I never knew that there was a "Michigan Democratic Partys Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allies Caucus" what is their agenda? How are on infrastucture? Tax and spend? Parks? Parking? Pilice and fire? well - how would we know cause they exist for ONE purpose - to make sure people follow their (narrow) and limited agenda as it pertains to a minoriry of voters... wow - I cant believe I never heard of this group before... and after November, I wont hear from them again (thankfully)

Rasputin

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.

That Lesko is a polarizing figure in A2 politics is an understatement. However, she does have a right to run for the office of mayor despite the fact that she will most likely lose face. I applaud all of this organizations voicing opposition to Lesko, but please be aware that by attacking over and over again in the media sets a bad example.

a2huron

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:20 p.m.

The question now is when are the council candidates endorsed by Lesko(and who in turn endorse Lesko themselves) going to retract and distance themselves from her? Also, what county board candidates are close to Lesko? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Fred Zimmerman

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:07 p.m.

hat tip to @davidian -- endorsing Hieftje would have been a much more effective move

InsideTheHall

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.

Oh and "Aunt Pat" is the "Uncle Tom" for the LGBT crowd. Lesko is firmly wedged underneath the bus.

InsideTheHall

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.

A2 politics is a zoo and not grounded in reality.

Davidian

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.

Did Pat Lesko really use her sexuality as a platform, or did she merely address questions to the obvious? I'm not sure. I'm not sure it matters in this context either. I don't think it's appropriate for the LGBT to call on her to drop out. What they are really accomplishing is probably the opposite of what they want: they are coming across as being hysterical and defensive....and they are certainly attracting negative attention to themselves. She may be using lies and inaccuracies. This is nothing new in local, state, or national politics, and gay people certainly aren't immune to this. I think simply endorsing another candidate speaks loudly enough!

David Cahill

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 11:34 a.m.

Wow - it's really getting down and dirty! What's next? Will the Sierra Club tell Hieftje to withdraw because he is a disgrace to the environmental movement? The mind boggles.

jeff4179

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 11:26 a.m.

I'm dumbfounded. Why should Lesko drop out of the rece? Because Phil Volk feels she has not been a good candidate? And because she is a lesbian that automatically reflects badly upon the LGBT community? And because Phil Volk is the leader of one LGBT group he has the authority to advise her that she should stop running for Mayor? Oh, and Volk happens to be a Hiejtje supporter? Cynical politics that makes people even more cynical towards the electoral process. If you don't like the candidate, vote for her opponent. And don't act like you have some special authority to decide who should be able to run for mayor.

JimFuester

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.

As a member of the LGBT community, I applaud the position taken by Phil Volk as Chairman of the Democratic Partys Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allies Caucus in asking Ms Lesko to drop out of the Mayoral race. It is unfortunate to be thought of as having "to eat your own in order to survive!" as phrased by 'AlwaysLate.' In reality it is about holding Ms Lesko accountable to her statements and comments that serve to blur the reality of truth in order to make herself look better. Bending a situation or facts to suit one's own agenda will always come back to bite ya in the butt! The rational among us see through her charges and accusations for what they are- misdirection and wizardry to confuse the voting public... all under the banner of "The current politicians are BAD and I am GOOD- I will SAVE the day!" Hogwash. Ms Lesko does NOT bring to the larger Ann Arbor community a track record of positive results from her prior efforts, and she would be a disaster in the waiting for the city if elected Mayor. Again, I agree with Phil Volk and his asking her to drop out of the race.

AlwaysLate

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.

Im not a big admirer of LGBT. But, I applaud them for this move. Sometimes, you have to eat your own to survive!

cjenkins

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.

Don't forget it was Lesko who was using her lesbian status as a campaign issue. She announced it in her original press release and continuously there after. She assumed that she would have the support of the Gay community because typically the LGBT community has always backed the Gay candidate. Due to the highly controversial actions of the candidate, I think it is completely appropriate for the LGBT community to state their opinion of her. In fact this action will now give more credence to any future endorsements made by this group; the LGTB group does not blindly endorse. It is refreshing to see a group actually take their endorsement seriously.

Stephen Landes

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10:02 a.m.

Typical leftwing group identification politics -- "think the way we do or you aren't part of us" and it doesn't matter whether it is gender, race, religion, or any other group-think identifier. I agree with Moonmaiden that we all need to just vote.

5c0++ H4d13y

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10 a.m.

I look forward to a day when gay politicians will be judged to be an embarrassment only to themselves and not their community. It's time for a postgaycial candidate.

Deb

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 9:58 a.m.

Nasty, pure and simple. I wish I lived in A2 just to vote for Lesko!

Fred Zimmerman

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 9:52 a.m.

This is bizarre, and unseemly. Let's see... what could be wrong with relying upon sexual identification as a basis for political argument?

Moonmaiden

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.

Uh, isn't this the whole purpose of the election? Just vote, baby, just vote.