Becker’s Bumblebees Buzz the Arts Fest
Okay, that’s headline is so tacky I couldn’t resist.
On friday night, a friend and I donned our Ralph Becker For Mayor t-shirts, grabbed our free tickets and headed for the arts festival. We arrived about 6:30 and were then until almost 11. In that time, we ran into other folks in their bright yellow Becker t-shirts, ate some food, watched some shows, looked at some art and . . . talked local politics.
The Salt Lake City’s mayors race is non-partisan. Salt Lake’s voters aren’t. I think we’re in for a very interesting campaign season.
Again and again people said to us, “Hey! Becker is he a Democrat?”Â
“Yeah!”
“Cool! I could vote for him.”
I realize that Arts Festival attendees aren’t a statistically valid sample of Salt Lake City voters, but the consistency of that conversation amazed me. Again and again, the Salt Lakers I talked to have no interest in voting for a Republican mayor, even one with the current mayor’s endorsement.
From those folks who know Ralph Becker, the responses we got were enthusiastic - “Go Becker!” “Yeah! Ralph!”
As the evening wore and we were listening to Angelique Kidjo, we ran into the Candidate Himself - who’s immediate response was “Hey! Great shirts!” Of course, he was in his day-glo yellow Ralph Becker for Mayor T-shirt.
As we were leaving, one UAF volunteer grabbed us and said, “Tell Ralph when he’s mayor, I hope he’ll keep the library open longer so volunteers have access to the good bathrooms at the Arts Festival.”
June 25th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
If you agree to serve as a public billboard for a campaign, and are compensated with ArtsFest tix, are the tickets really “free”?
I posed this question on Becker’s campaign site beneath the first iteration of the promo.
It was deleted.
If this is a preview of what a Becker mayoral administration would look like, I’ll pass.
June 25th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Those who wear the shirts are volunteers for the campaign. I don’t see a problem with that.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
AnonyMo (Jess?)
Perhaps your comment was deleted as the result of your unwillingness to stand behind your comments by identifying yourself. Did you do it anonymously?
In which world should consideration be given to anonymous (not to mention petty) criticism surrounding such an important civic process.
Are there any other factors guiding your prediction of what a Ralph Becker Mayoral Administration will look like?
How is the Buhler campaign coming anyway? I’d be more than happy to top post whatever you would like to share about his qualifications.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Maybe Christensen should consider changing parties.
June 25th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I don’t know about Christiansen anymore. He seems to be having a hard time trying to decide between the developers and the quality of and view from Main Street.
Hmmm.
btw: Despite NOT being at the top of the fund raising game, Becker has raised more money from more people, BY FAR, than any of the other candidates.
June 25th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
God, is Orrins make-up girl now working the mortuary circuit?
June 25th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Democracy now… Rocky just put the blame for 9 11 on Cheney. Hee
June 26th, 2007 at 6:41 am
Maybe Christensen should get a clue. The guy is a (deleted)!
July 6th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
AnonyMo,
I am honestly sorry your comment was deleted on the Becker website. I am sure that it was a mistake and know that it is not a true reflection of the campaign’s philosophy towards non flattering comments.
I am a firm believer in free expression, even when it is not flattering towards a candidate or philosophy you strongly believe in. Your question is legitimate and deserves to be part of the discussion.
The mood in the office was that people were going to go to the UAF anyway, and we wanted to involve more people in the campaign while rewarding our volunteers for all the hard work they do.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Anonymity doesn’t matter, it is the content of the post that matters. Anyone could use someone elses’ name and post. This is hardly a popularity contest.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Yes it is a popularity contest and I demand that all identify themselves! Respect my Authority1
July 6th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
See there Cliffy?
July 6th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Yes, I do glenn, you make an excellent point.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Are you seeing yet Cliffy?
July 6th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Are you talking to yourself Cliff? God this is fun.
July 6th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
The foregoing comments made in my name are by Glenn.
July 6th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
No kidding? That has all of the substance of the warning they give to parents to keep their kids away from empty 5 gallon buckets, or explaining that you should not dry your pets in the microwave.
How does it feel to have your named used and altered in the manner you are consistently guilty of? What fun!