Mayor's election

By World Editorial Writers - 11/1/2009


When you clear away all the nasty advertising and take a close look at things, you recognize that Tulsa has two strong candidates for mayor.

Tom Adelson, the Democrat, has the energy and sharp wits that the mayor's office demands.

Dewey Bartlett, the Republican, has lots of experience and the temperament for the job.

Either would make a good chief executive for the city.

At the same time, a close examination shows that neither candidate is perfect.

Bartlett's good-guy nature and willingness to accommodate others are both attractive and worrisome. As mayor he will have to demonstrate that, more than just a consensus-builder, he can be a decisive and tough leader of City Hall when the occasion demands.

On the other hand, Adelson has sharp elbows and can be sharp tongued, attributes that might help him get things done, or make his time in office contentious and difficult.

While neither is a perfect candidate for mayor, neither, certainly, would be a disaster.

We make no endorsement in the mayor's election, but urge all Tulsa voters to choose the candidate who they think will be best able to lead Tulsa in the difficult times that the city will surely face in the near future.

In disgust with the tenor of much of Bartlett's and Adelson's campaign advertising, some voters may have turned to the strong independent candidate on the ballot, Mark Perkins.

We share that disgust, but cannot share the choice it leads to.

Perkins has insisted that his role is to draw the race back to a discussion of the key issues. He's right that that is where the debate belonged, but an examination of the candidates based on issues and experience does not lead to a vote for Perkins.

He is ambitious and open-minded, but he lacks the experience — and the wisdom that comes from experience — that the office requires.

In some respects this has been a disappointing campaign. The two major candidates spent too much time and money trying to spoil the other guy's good reputation.

We believe that in the long run that is poor politics, because it discourages voters from taking part in the electoral process and discourages future qualified candidates from considering public service.

In part we think the destructive nature of the campaigning is the result of the relatively few major distinctions between Bartlett and Adelson.

It's difficult to determine much difference between the two on things like streets (they're both for them), crime (they're both against it) or any other issue.

There are some differences. For example, Adelson favors non-partisan city elections, while Bartlett has consistently opposed the idea. That's a point in Adelson's favor.

Adelson and Bartlett share very similar backgrounds. They both come from well-known wealthy families from the same part of town (as does Perkins). They're both well educated and have a wealth of legitimate public service credentials.

They are more alike than they are different, which may have fated the campaign to be one of personalities over substance.

So, our city has had to endure back-to-back television ads featuring unflattering pictures, nebulous accusations and a lot of "shame" being tossed around.

That's too bad.

Tulsa is nearing the peak of a dynamic time of building — the BOK Center is finished; ONEOK Field is well under way; a major street program is about to begin in earnest.

Meanwhile, the city has challenges to face.

Financing for City Hall's move has not worked out the way it was anticipated; the city's relationship with the county is a source of constant friction, and the national recession has left the city unable to fully fund basic services such as police and fire protection.

Tulsa has never needed leadership more desperately than it will in the coming days.

We believe both of the major candidates have the potential to be a crackerjack mayor. Both Adelson and Bartlett are qualified and have strong points in their favor. We do not endorse one over the other.


_________________________________________________

Tulsa World Reader Comments
_________________________________________________

Shirley S, (11/1/2009 7:04:46 AM)
"There are some differences. For example, Adelson favors non-partisan city elections, while Bartlett has consistently opposed the idea. That's a point in Adelson's favor." I absolutely agree with this statement! Here is an example...Tulsa District Attorney Tim Harris ran against a republican in his last race. No democrate was in this race. So only Republicans got to vote to choose who our DA would be. That's not right. This happens all the time in council races as well. I'm a republican voting for Tom Adelson. I have talked to A LOT of republicans who are doing the same. Dewey is a nice guy but at the end of the day and at the beginning of the day...he's too nice and he just doesn't have what it's going to take to get this city back on it's feet.....Tom does. Some say Tom is rough around the edges...I've met him and I don't get that impression. I see a man who really cares about what he is doing and wants to do right for the City of Tulsa...if that's stepping on a few toes to do the right thing then I say go for it!

Herb, Broken Arrow (11/1/2009 7:09:45 AM)
I don't vote in Tulsa but am curious as to why this TW romancing of both Bartlett and Adelson did not even mention Independent candidate Perkins? Even if he was already kissed off, it would seem the public should still deserve a comment on him.

The A Team, (11/1/2009 2:02:24 PM)
The more accurate statement would be: Financing for City Hall's move has not worked out the way it was anticipated and has left the city unable to fully fund basic services such as police and fire protection.

Royce, Tulsa (11/1/2009 2:11:48 PM)
Shirley S writes: "There are some differences. For example, Adelson favors non-partisan city elections, while Bartlett has consistently opposed the idea. That's a point in Adelson's favor." I would suggest that's a point in Adelson's disfavor. Democrats support non-partisan elections in Tulsa because they know Tulsan's, by and large, don't trust Democrats to govern. And when one considers how Democrats govern communities from Miami to Seattle, from New Orleans to Detroit, from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, anywhere Democrats govern cities you find deplorable schools, rampant crime, excessive taxation, and incredible corruption.

Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (11/1/2009 2:36:26 PM)
Wishy...washy. I have seen three year olds with more conviction than the TW.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/1/2009 2:41:27 PM)
We have no stand out choices for mayor. Just close your eyes and hold your nose and hope for the best.

OkeyDokey, Anytown USA (11/1/2009 3:31:08 PM)
Like the late Dr. Martin Luther King once said, "I vote for the content of the candidates character" ! Why not have an open debate at a venue where folks could ask uncensored questions for the candidates to answer ? And, it does not have to be a long, drawn out event, thirty or perhaps sixty minutes would be plenty to ascertain who the best person is for the job. Maybe it could even be televised ? And, sponsored by TW ! Tulsa's most pressing needs right now are; to focus on and pre-plan what the city is going to do when the big riot breaks out on the North side, when folks increasingly resort to burglary and robberies, just to get money for them and their families to be able to eat. Better be concentrating more about increasing law enforcement personnel and building a bigger jail before a situation like the one in Los Angeles district of Watt's that happend over a relatively minor incident, takes place in T-Town ! And, with that uncomfortable thought in mind someone in that audience might want to ask the three candidates how they feel about our rights as guaranteed in the Constitution, like "the right to bear arms" ??? Thank God, Fox News, Glenn Beck and our troops we do still have a few rights left and I am using a couple of them now; freedom of the press and freedom of speech ! God Bless America Again....PLEASE !!

veteran_TPD, Tulsa (11/1/2009 4:50:54 PM)
Excellent point OkeyDokey. The voters are not being allowed to ask the right questions. Why is that? Why isn't there am eight hour forum if necessary to ask the tough questions that aren't being asked by the four local TV news organizations, or the 2 or 3 newspapers? or, are the candidates only allowing approved questions?

Observer3, (11/1/2009 7:15:19 PM)
How will the Tulsa voters know who to vote for for Mayor if the Tulsa World doesn't tell them?

Mar, Tulsa (11/1/2009 9:46:12 PM)
Mark Perkins for Mayor!

OkeyDokey, Anytown USA (11/1/2009 11:06:55 PM)
If you want to know who to vote for in the Mayor's race...may I suggest the one who is neither throwing or receiving any of the mud that is being thrown around ! When someone gets desperate enough to go into the "attack mode" against their rivals, it usually means, they and their cronies who support them, have a lot to lose if they do not get elected. And, it usually means that the one throwing the most mud, is the one that has the worst judgement, the one who might use the same such tactics to run the city with, trying to use the "bully pulpit" for personal gain !! Vote for the one who has the best character,not the one who can sling the most mud ! And, given that bit of advice one would have to come to the conclusion that Mr. Perkins is the best logical choice, the most innocent, the one who would represent the majority, not just a minority of fat cats. Ask yourself one question...where is all the money they are using to sling the mud with comming from ? Donors who have a lot to lose ?? Good Luck T-Town.



Email to a Friend
Main Menu