Targeting the Leader

Based on the newspaper stories today (Telegram, Sentinel), the two biggest pieces of news out of last night's debate was the gunning at presumed front-runner Steve DiNatale by his primary opponents.

David LeBlanc gets good mileage about asking DiNatale about switching from unenrolled to Democrat a year ago. It's pretty obvious DiNatale knew what was coming when he made the switch. Party loyalty probably isn't going to change too many minds in the this race, but it does paint DiNatale as a bit of a political opportunist.

LeBlanc gets top billing in both stories for the question, but Mary Whitney's question about approving city budgets that proved later to be out of whack was more damaging.

"My goal was not to be an obstructionist to the city's business and that's why I voted in favor of that budget. Those issues lie with the mayor. Those tough decisions come from his or her office," DiNatale said in the Sentinel.

We really don't like that answer. His goal should be to make sure the city's financial house is in order. The City Council is the guardian at the budgetary gate, and this is further proof that the council doesn't appear to have the gumption to take a hard line on these matters. "Those issues" lie with the mayor and the council, except the council has wimped out on those responsibilities. "Those tough decisions" need to be reviewed and approved by the Council. Simply, if you vote to approve the budget, you're giving your approval to those decision. They become yours unless you stand up, say you don't like it, and make some changes. Does this mean DiNatale won't be making the "tough decisions" as a legislator? Caveat: We're going by a newspaper story and don't have the full context of all this, but from what you read in the Sentinel, that is a pretty bad answer.

Five days to glory.