Thursday, April 19, 2007

The Shifting Tide

Looks like we picked the wrong time to take a vacation. In the 8 days that we enjoyed (ever so blissfully), it looks like quite a bit has happened. Why didn't anyone tell us?!?

Less than 30 days out and the commissioners race has begun. The gate is open and its an all-out horserace from here on out. We've seen several yard signs for the Republican candidates, and we're impressed. What's ironic is that everyone knows that yard signs don't contain any substantive information, so its not like they're going to sway voters one way or the other. So what's the real reason for yard signs? Well, its popularity, of course. The more yard signs you have out, the more support it appears you have. What's the irony, you ask? We're glad you asked. The irony is that Commissioner Eichelberger's signs boast "Principles...not Politics." To get the joke, you have to keep in mind that the slogan of this camp is that the whole race has been a popularity contest - image over ability. I guess what tickles our funny bone is that yard signs are all about image. Oh well, maybe there's a deeper strategy that we don't get.

The PAC. While the idea of this is intriguing to us, we see two options. Obviously, County Chairman Vic Stabile isn't happy about it, as it undermines his authority and ability to support the endorsed candidates. The Eichelberger camp must be ecstatic. To have Bruce Barclay give the wink, wink nod, nod to his donor friends is gift in and of itself.

Human behavior is fascinating. We claim to be the top of the food chain and the supreme being, but sometimes, the animal way is just plain better. When animals hear loud noises, they run the other way. Humans are curious and walk toward the noise. When animals find food, they keep it. Humans barely consume 40% of the food produced every year. And it would be in Chairman Stabile's best interests to kill the PAC story. No media comment and then maybe go out at midnight and yank some yard signs out of intersections. Keep things low. But he can't help himself. We've already seen a quote from him and we're betting there's more. Gunnison isn't going to benefit from Stabile making it a bigger story than it already is.

We didn't pick a winner last time, so we're going to go with Gary Eichelberger this time. Between Bruce Barclay's silent but deadly help, and the county chairman aiming the gun at his own foot right now, Eichelberger better start baking pies, because there are a lot of faces in the county committee.

No comments: