IPSE's: Caption This

IPSE Provides Clues for the Clueless In Indy

OBSERVATIONS:  Clueless. That's all we could say after this political nightmare of a broadcast from WXIN's Russ McQuaid.  In less than a year Mayor Ballard has went from a benign affable political naive nice guy to a bungling political light weigh within a of razor's edge of being the first one-term mayor in more than 40 years.

Barring a significant failure on hizzoner's part he should win a second term. Indianapolis has a long history of protecting incumbents for at least two terms as long as they handle the basics. In this case public safety, snow removal and reasonable control over the cost of government.  Mayor Ballard you are about to make history.

Advance Indiana's (ADIN) did a great job on summarizing the ever increasing challenges facing the Ballard Administration's ham-handed bungling of the community's perception of law enforcement.

In a series of missteps including putting a comedian/lawyer/radio personality who advocates for police beatings (in context of course) on a Public Safety Advisory Board or a Public Safety Director asking for public relations advice from the Chief of Police right in the middle of a fatality accident investigation  involving a police officer and a civilian.

The situation would make you laugh if this was a Tarantino movie, however it isn't.  Its the new reality of life in the 14 largest city in the United States.

And through all of this Mayor Gregory A. Ballard falls back on the same clueless political novice act. Well Mr. Mayor after 2 1/2 year it is time for you to shed the Mayberry shtick and start act like a CEO. 

You have a Public Safety Director who is more concerned about his makeup than his responsibilities. You've allowed the Public Advisory Board to be populated with a member has become a lightening rod for controversy.  And neither you or anyone in your office seems to be able to define what the Ballard Administration stands for or stands against. 

A few qustions Mr. Mayor. When are you going to articulate your vision? When are you going to take control AND responsibility of  your City?   When are you going to treat 25th floor as a premium place for command and control instead of a viewing platform to watch the flickering of gunshots in the streets below? 

While you consult your advisors here's a few clues to help you find your way before fate makes you an asterisk in Indianapolis' political history.

Now, if you're not going to run again then step down now and leave with a shred of dignity. If you are going to run then start thinking as a Mayor. No one will remember the faceless individuals who gave you bad advice. They will remember you as the one who implemented the bad advice.

1) We were initially open to the "outsider" argument for the role of Public Safety Director, however Dr. Frank Straub has proven he is not the "one" and now he needs to go.

2) Start talking to the community. Be prepared for anger, bad news and frustration. Take it and use it to re-shape your policy.

3) Get control of your police force. Support the good ones. Purge the bad ones. Ban together to take back our streets.

4) Dump the self-interested operatives within your circle of "allies".

5) Include the Democrats at the table when discussing public safety issues.

6) Examine your staff and eliminate the dead weight.  Every one of your upper level managers should be able to articulate your values and vision in any neighborhood setting or event. If they can't they need to go.

6) Start being a Mayor instead of a MINO.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  ADIN $210

DOWN:  GBAL  $70, NQAI  $30, INBR $140,  FSTRA $50

IPSE Asks: Is Blogger Abdul Hakim Shabazz A Double Agent?

OBSERVATION:  If it wasn't for the fact that Abdul Hakim Shabazz (INBR)  is a sitting member of the Public Safety Advisory Board we would simple write Gary's Welsh's (ADIN) recent post off as part of an ongoing skirmish between  friends-now-rival bloggers.  However in light of what is happening with the issue of public safety in our city we think Gary raises a legitimate concern.

You may think that this is an unfair characterization of everyone's favorite  radio personality/attorney/stand up comedian.  We don't think so...The self described "arm-dealer" is proud of his reputation and according to the emails we receive is well known for his double dealing in information given to him in confidence.  So this raises the question: Is it safe for anonymous readers to comment on his blog considering that he is pretty open about his affection for all-things Ballard?    

We believe the Ballard administration would find it quite useful to be able to track and identify disgruntled employees whose public comments make life miserable for their political agenda.  So is he or isn't he? 

I guess only Abdul, Tom John and Robert Vane know for sure.

Marion County Dems Council Meeting "Step Show" Trips, Slips And Falls

OBSERVATIONS:  According to Jon Easter (IDEM) and Abdul Hakim Shabazz (INBR) the walkout  (Abdul's post referenced the author of the idea)from Monday night council meeting was the brain-child of Vern Brown (VBWN).  Wow. Where do we start?

First Mr. Brown, when you grandstand it helps when it is done as a caucus, not a sub-committee. If you don't have 100% participation you don't go. That means making sure that the numbers of people you count on your fingers who are with you equals the number of people in the room. Now your team looks like a ragtag bunch of political amateurs.  Bottom line, next time get everyone on the same page or keep your collectives asses in your seats.

Second, when it comes to a battle of ideas it helps if you have have real ideas to put on the table for debate, not a simple press release. Councillor Evans, we suggest you start acting like a Mayoral candidate and not a member of Vern Brown's Conga-line otherwise you will never be taken seriously by the electorate.

Finally my little SiMi friends remember the "IndyWorks" consolidation announcement by former Mayor Bart Peterson that even took Sheriff Anderson by surprise? Yep payback is a you-know-what.  While Ballard's presentation was a yawner and he may have not included you at the table, you guys made him look like a eloquent statesman when you walked out of the chambers. 

Our question for you Vern is did you enter the chamber knowing you didn't have everyone on board?

In the meantime,  local ministers (AMCO) pulled a page from the tax protesters playbook from 2006-07 and instead of marching in the streets brought their message inside the council chambers. So while their mutual fund will climb the individuals who would be their logical allies were AWOL.

Brainchild?..Hardly.  All we can say is that the doctor who help facilitate this birth should have  pimp-slapped the daddy.

One final note - Vern the next time you want to stage a "stepshow" on the council floor think of this little tune.  

ANALYSIS:

UP: NQAI $50, AMCO $120, INBR $160, IDEM $180, ADIN $190

DOWN: SiMi $40, JEVN $120, VBWN $30

Is Joe Loftus the Rahm Emanuel of the Ballard Administration?

OBSERVATIONS: Is Joe Loftus Ballard's  Rahm Emanuel?  We asked this question after noticing Paul Ogden (OGPL) has raised another potential issue with the Ballard administration, this time with special counsel to the mayor Joe Loftus.  Now according to a few of the emails we've received over the last few months, Joe and Bob Grand are the real power behind the throne. 

The origins of Loftus' ascent to the man-behind-the-thrown started with the "Transition Contract" which in effect turned over all operations of the Mayor's office including hiring, firing and contract negotiations to these two. One of our members has seen a copy and for better or worse it all but makes mayor Ballard a figurehead in his own administration. It was also shared that he has little regard for the opinions of the mayor and sees himself as the true brains behind the administration, not unlike the President's right-hand man.

It appears that Joe Loftus has a habit of making threats to get his way. According to a couple of sitting councillors, he likes to use the "I will  f%#k you up and you will never see it coming" method to get duly elected or appointed officials to see things his way.  Yep, we can see the resemblance.

One of our readers shared with us that in one case Joe bragged that he had significant influence over Democrat Rep. Greg Porter at the Statehouse because he represented Rep. Porter's employer Marion County Heath and Hospital Corp. He went on to share that "while Greg may make a lot of noise right now, a phone call from me will bring him back in line."

We see two potential problems with such a strategy. First it is short-sighted in that it slowly builds contempt and hostility even if in fact the aggressor can back up his threats. Eventually enough critical mass is created that the aggressor will soon discover that not only does his threats no longer have an impact they actually fuel individuals who would otherwise be allies.

Secondly, it has absolutely no impact on people whose livelihood do not depend on acquiescing to his demands.  We think that Joe Loftus and his cohort Bob Grand are only effective if their names, faces and tactics are kept behind the scenes.  Just like Rahm, when their names, faces and tactics are exposed to the general public, their power diminishes dramatically and eventually become more of a liability than an asset to their boss.. Bob Grand's removal from the CIB board is a prime example. 

The power of the  Loftus'/Emanuels of the world are in fact nothing more than an illusion.  The true nature of these men is that of a post-menopausal, receding hairline bully with a law degree. And that's when the ridicule begins and the eventual exit stage right.  So is Joe Loftus the Rahm Emanuel of the Ballard administration? We will let you readers decide, however we're pretty sure that Ballard is no Obama.

ANALYSIS:

UP:   OGPL $230

DOWN:  JLOF $80

The Bisard Boondoggle Will Be Around A While. Ballard Should Be Worried

OBSERVATIONS:  We've been waiting for the dust to settle before we offer our take on the Bisard issue and based on this morning's headline and we're glad we did.  Of all the media sites we've reviewed over the last few days WTHR's Kevin Rader had the best summary of what is truly at stake for the City of Indianapolis and Mayor Ballard (GBAL).

We found it interesting and perhaps a sign of things to come as we observed Marion County Democratic Chairman Ed Treacy (ETRY) use of Mayor Ballard's literary accomplishment Small Unit Leadership as a visual prop.  The question we're asking is will the Democrats use SUL as the Republicans did in 2007 with Peterson Plan I, II and III?  If so, the Ballard folks better start reading up.

In the meantime we don't feel that this issue will go away anytime soon, especially after the latest front page demotions of IMPD's top three leaders.  Couple this with the possible civil suit to follow, the Brandon Johnson case and  Black Expo shootings unlike Matt Tulley, we're not convinced Ballard's re-election is a cakewalk. 

This incident has been a game-changer for both the 2010 and 2011 races.  In the space of a few weeks the AmenCorner (AMCO) went from religious rebel rousers to part of a growing coalition on anti-establishment opinion leaders.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  AMCO $130, SiMi 60, ETRY $145

DOWN:  NQAI $50

Massa Hits the Airwaves, Ogden Hits the AG!

OBSERVATION:  From Hoosier Access (HOAC) Republican candidate for Marion County Prosecutor Mark Massa hits the airwaves with (in our opinion) a very professional and well toned intro ad. Gone is the smoky alley, glitzy CSI shtick from previous campaigns.  Hopefully this is an indication that if the Republicans hang on to the Prosecutor's office, that an adult will be in control instead of a over-the-hill frat boy.

The gadfly of the Establishment Paul Ogden (OGPL) has now turned his antennas on Indiana's Top Cop Greg Zoeller (GZOE). Paul's focuses the AG apparent lack of interest in enforcing Indiana's forfeiture laws. You can read more here. 

We have to give Mr. Ogden his props, he doesn't mind picking fights with political heavyweights. It still remains to be seen if his buzzing will attract the attention of other bloggers to dig deeper into this issue.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  HOAC $110, OGPL $220, MMAS $100

DOWN:   GZOE $95

IPSE: Political Popourri

OBSERVATIONS: Sorry readers, its my week to write however my flight was late yesterday and put me way off schedule. In the meantime sit back and take a whiff of this latest amalgamation of political herbs and spices.

First up is the continuing controversy surrounding radio personality Abdul Hakim Shabazz's (INBR) appointment to the Frank Straub's advisory board.  Gary Welsh (ADIN) continues to keep this story alive and for us the issue is less about Abdul's residency and more about his previous comments concerning law enforcement and the public.

While it may be the right thing for Abdul to says to boost ratings for his radio audience it becomes harmful when the speaker is part of shaping public safety policy. And if the past is any prediction of the future we think that this will get only worse for Ballard when it comes to improving community relations.  At some point in time we feel his previous standup routines will be used against in the court of public opinion.

Speaking of the "Doctor" he didn't do himself any good with his public comments concerning the matter. Dr. Straub you have undermined the whole idea of a public safety advisory board when you admit to appointing your friends and by extension not appointing your enemies (Democratic council members). We wonder if there's anyone in this administration who doesn't go brain-dead when speaking in front of a camera?

Hoosier Access (HoAc) catches Democratic candidate for Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry taking a page out of Animal Farm when it comes to personal firearms.

Democratic bloggers are eating their own this month (we heard they are especially delicious this time of year with a little red wine and fava beans). First Indy Times (ITIM) is calling out incumbent congressman Joe Donnelly for trying to put some distance between himself and Democratic leadership in Washington. In all fairness Terry, have you ever seen a person swim toward a sinking ship?

And not to be outdone in the cannibalism department, Indy Democrat (IDEM) labeled Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as despicable for siding with almost 70% of the population (and against President Obama) who think that building a mosque on Ground Zero while it may be legal, is a bad idea. 

Finally Indy Student (ISTUD) apparently has his own deep throat in IMPD when it comes to the Bisard investigation. It will be interesting to see how this story progresses.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  ADIN $125, ISTUD $145, ITIM $140, IDEM $175, HoAc $110

DOWN: $120, FSTRA $95, GBAL $100

Amos and Abdul Join Mayor Ballard's Staff...And It Didn't Cost the Taxpayers A Dime!

OBSERVATIONS: Genius Mayor. Sheer genius. With a stoke of a pen you just introduced a major game-changer for the 2011 municipal elections and it didn't cost you OR the taxpayer one thin dime.  When it comes to unemployment, raising taxes or cuts in services the Mayor can shift the blame to the downturn in the national economy. The one issue that could have been an anchor around his neck is the rise in local crime. That issue is now off the table and all but secures his ability to control the political narrative during the campaign season.

In case your readers didn't hear the latest, Mayor Greg Ballard (GBAL) announced the formation of a Public Safety Advisory Board that includes (drum roll please) two of the most recognizable voices on the radio WXNT-1430 Abdul Hakim Shabazz (INBR) and WTLC-1310 Amos Brown (ABWN).  Gary Welsh (ADIN) spared no punches in his critique of the arrangement. And he wasn't alone as Indy Democrat  (IDEM) weighs in as well.

We contend that by including Abdul on the board, Mayor Ballard can all but guarantee a positive spin on any rise in crime or wayward police officers five days a week. We did find it especially humorous to read Abdul's flaccid attempt to justify his willingness to be part of the story instead of simply reporting it. As for Amos, for the first itme in recent memory this leaves local Democrats without a friendly platform to speak out against any of the Mayor's past, present or future crime initiatives.  It will be interesting to see how public opinion reacts to this new development going into 2011.

We feel it will be all but impossible for Melina Kennedy, Jose Evans or Ron Gibson to aggressively criticize Ballard to the solidly Democratic audience of WTLC 1310 and not make Amos look like an willing accomplice.

While it was pretty obvious that Abdul was right of center and Amos left, they at least could consider themselves somewhat independent towards the local power structure.  And that's what made them both relevant and respected by their peers and followers. In our opinion this is no longer the case. From this point forward many in the community will view these two as field staff for the mayor's office and once that's your public image there's no turning back. The one good thing for the new Amos and Abdul team is that these two no longer need to pretend to be objective "journalists". As a matter of fact we're not even sure that these two will ever have an opinion they can call their own.

We won't speculate why these two would sell give their credibility away - we'll leave that up to you readers. In the meantime Mayor Greg Ballard you proved that you are ready for prime time. From this point forward you control the airwaves around Indianapolis. Now it appears that the only venue left for any voice of opposition is the blogosphere.  Let the offers begin.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  GBAL $110, FSTRA $100, ADIN $120, NQAI $80, IDEM $170

DOWN: INBR $125, ABWN $100, SiMi $30

IPSE Asks: The Race Card-What's In Your Wallet?

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Race Card Is Maxed Out
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Indy Star and Governor Daniels Engaged In "Stimulating" Conversation On Footwear!

OBSERVATIONS: Obviously Governor Daniels (MDAN) is making a few people nervous with his almost regular Sunday appearances on national networks.  Now it seems he has awaken the sleeping giant of MSM aka Indianapolis Star (INSTAR) - and yes we've decided to place Dennis Ryerson and Co. on he IPSE board.

We believe that this will be the beginning of a very targeted and robust effort against My Man Mitch as he continues to distinguish himself as former business executive who leads one of the few states that have kept their finances in the black without sending IOUs to creditors or mandatory furloughing of State workers.

So what about the letter? Well, we're going to ding him on your stock price, however all things being equal, if this is all they have on him then we think he's still sittin' pretty. 
We give the INSTAR a boost for finding a way to ruffle the Guv's feathers a bit which doesn't happen very often.

As for the whole "flip-flopping" accusation we think that the National Democratic Party really needs to re-think that strategy unless you want to address this, this, this and our favorite this. It appears that for every pair of flipflops others may find in the Governor's closet you'll find four pair in the President's.  Our advice to the DNC? Play the flipflop game at your own risk.

Our advice to the Governor? Watch co-signing letters in the future and smile at the fact that at least you can write your name of flip flops in black ink.

ANALYSIS:

UP: INSTAR $105

DOWN:  MDAN $170

SAME: AiHi $120

Young Blogger Indy Student Takes On Abdul Hakim Shabazz's Poll Dancing

OBSERVATIONS:  Newcomer Indy Student (ISTUD) aka Matt Stone is challenging Abdul's (INBR) somewhat habitual reference to unsourced
polls that reinforces his opinion-of-the-moment. Of course this isn't the first time "his truly" has reached from behind his back to pull out a handful of facts, figures, rumours and innuendos to support his cause. 

ISTUD goes on to say "Shabazz is a talented writer, and sometimes I might even agree with him. But he has a poor history on reporting, honestly and openly, on polling statistics and other easily verifiable facts. It's just lazy journalism at best. As I said before, these polls he cites might as well be made up."

In typical Abdul fashion he dismisses Indy Student's valid points with just a hint of defensiveness "I've been in journalism/media for 20 years. I think I have a pretty good handle on this stuff. Also don't forget, I deal in gossip and rumor and clearly label it as such. I am not responsible for what the reader takes away from it."

So Mr. Shabazz wants to be trusted on his polling data without a sources yet freely admits dealing in gossip and rumor.  Wow he sounds like the misbegotten lovechild of the editors of the WSJ and the National Enquirer. What we found even more fascinating was that he accepts no responsible for the impact it may have on the reader. Hmmm.

Well at least we agree with Abdul on one thing - his reputation certainly does speaks for itself. 

ANALYSIS:

UP: ISTUD $140

DOWN: INBR $155

Caption This

Dr. Whiner to Public: Me and Police Chief are BFF, Really!

OBSERVATION: Apparently Dr. Frank N. Whiner Frank Straub has become a little uncomfortable with the whole "I'm the big cheese" thingy going on for the last eight months. According to Gary Welsh's latest post our omnipotent Public Safety Director dispatched the Chief of Police to say that he and Straub are the BFF. According to our man in the know they have a joint collection of police and fire patches, text each other at least ten times a day and spend quiet times walking along the canal hand in hand. 

Let's face it, our version is just as believable as that of Chief Paul Ciesielski statements today. 

Now just so you readers know we do have a heart - even for megalomaniacal schizophrenic bureaucrats. Doc we know that you have had a very tough week trying to run the whole police and fire departments from your desk. You deserve a nice glass or warm milk, tummy rub and a good night sleep tonight. While we can provide those creature comforts perhaps we can offer a nice little lullaby...Nighty, night Dr. Whiner, sleep tight and don't let the bloggers bite.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  ADIN $190

DOWN:  FSTRA $70, GBAL $80, NQAI $50

Is Frank Straub A Loose Cannon? Nope, He's Just Following Orders.

OBSERVATION:  Gary Welsh over at Advance Indiana (ADIN) has posted a series of upcloseandpersonal assessment here, here, and here of Public Safety Director Frank Straub (FSTRA) that gives us a little peak inside King-of-Kop.   Wait this just in....that's Dr. Frank Straub...sorry sir.  Of course this isn't the first time Dr. Frank has issued an nonsensical ultimatum from on high.  If any of this is true and based on a few emails we've received we have no reason to doubt Gary's evidence, we are beginning to wonder if Doc Straub is an asset or a liability for the Ballard Administration. 

According to our internal sources, Mayor Ballard doesn't have the stomach for the real work required to run a major metropolitan city and has deferred all decisions on management to Joe Loftus and Bob Grand.  In this case Joe Loftus told Frank Straub that he has the full weight and support of the Mayor behind his decisions to put the hammer down where he needed to. We were also told that because the Mayor has the leadership crippling habit of changing his mind based on the last person who talks to him. As a result, Frank has made himself the sole communicator to the Mayor when comes to public safety. So is Dr. Straub a loose cannon? Hardly.  He's only following orders from the top and so we expect that things are only going to get worse in the area of public safety.  And the neanderthal antics of Dr. Frank Straub will be the reason.

We hate to see a Indianapolis suffer under a predicable future so we offer this advice to Mayor Greg Ballard.

Mayor start acting like the leader you touted yourself to be in 2007 not middle-aged mid-manager with a mediocre staff putting in his allotted 40 hours a week. Stop delegating your political clout and power. Control your agency heads. You can't afford to work on your sequel or another travel itinerary. Be a man. If you don't start focusing on economic development, crime and quality of life you and your third string staff will be unemployed after the 2011 election. Unless of course that's the plan already.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  ADIN $180

DOWN:  FSTRA $80, GBAL $90, NQAI $60

IPSE Is: Gay Marriage Curious

OBSERVATIONS: In what is being hailed as a landmark decision by some U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker a gay Republican, ruled that the recent passed Proposition 8 recently passed overwhelmingly by the voters of California banning same sex marriages in the sunshine state.  While both sides believe that an appeal will ultimately send this case to the Supreme Court for a final decision.

So what's our reason for writing this post? For us the gay marriage issue is secondary to the logical disconnect in our national debate on the role of the Federal government in relation to personal freedom vs. government intrusion and by extension Federal rights vs. State rights. 

What we find totally bizarre is that the Federal government says that an individual has the right to chose the person they want to spend the rest of their life with but can't choose their own level of care to prolong that same life with that significant other. 

Left ot their own devices our lawmakers and judges will create a patchwork of laws that has neither logic nor precedents as an underpinning. Now this may be okay for some who are able to  find that special loophole to pursue their happiness, for most of us it will only be a matter of time before we inadvertently violate some illogical fiat and have all that we own, love and worked for snatched away.

Okay we're off our soapbox....  

ANALYSIS:   We're going to do do a full analysis of all mutual funds as it relates to HoCha and NoSa later in the week that will include this new development

IPSE Political Popourri: Minister Misleads, Ballard Baffles, Lugar Lost

OBSERVATIONS:  Like all stupid ideas we bet this one started with "What if we?" We've done some investigation as determined that Minister Harrington is not a preacher but a minister at Mt. Vernon Church a small but significant distinction as he doesn't lead the church. That being said he is undoubtedly demonstrated the most irresponsible abuse of trust and leadership we have seen in the last 20 years in Indianapolis.   If fame and notoriety was what you were seeking then you got it.You sir, are now the laughing stock of the nation and certainly here in this City. 

You have set law enforcement and community relations back decades and violated the trust bestowed upon men of the cloth.  Minister (and we use this term loosely) you owe the IMPD, the public and your church a very public apology.  If you have any male testosterone in your pathetic body you will issue your statement before the sun sets today. Be a man or begone.

Next up is a little piece on Mayor Ballard from Paul Ogden (OGPL) describing the Mayor's verbal dexterity and liberal use of "different pot o' money" strategy to describe is subsidizing of the Pacer franchise while hinting at cutback in city services.  Unfortunately this is a deep as the Mayor could get in rationalizing his budgetary priorities which again leaves us waiting in anticipation for the first time he debates his political opponents in 2011.  We just don't think he has a firm grasp on the complexities of running local government and worse no sense that he will ever be able to learn.  If I'm a Democrat candidate I'm excited about the possibilities. We'll give the mayor a slight nudge for his attempt at explaining his policies but in the future he needs to really get his words together beyond the little pieces of paper that Bob Vane stuffed in his jacket pocket.

Finally there's our esteemed senior Senator Richard Lugar (DLUG). Now we know that he is a revered statesman in every corner of Indiana however there comes a time when name recognition is not enough.  Sadly this little blurb proves our point.  While the economy is hovering on the brink of another recession, unemployment is at an all-time high our senator seems to be focused elsewhere.  Senator we all agree that child nutrition is important, however we think you could do wonders for this issue if you focused on getting the parents of those little veggies jobs.

Call us out-of-touch theorists if you like, however we think the data will show that a child of an employed parent is less likely to go to bed hungry or malnourished.  Focus on jobs and the veggies will take care of themselves.

ANALYSIS:

UP: OGPL $215, GBAL $105

DOWN: AMCO $110, DLUG $95

IPSE To Ballard Campaign Staff: In the Future Think "Baseball, Basball, Baseball"

OBSERVATION:  You'd think that when you are able to get bi-partisan support on an a big piece of legislation that in and of itself is noteworthy.  Well not so for the guys running the Ballard political machine gerbil-wheel.

In what can only be described as a politically amateurish play, Ballard's highly excitable campaign virgins send out an email before the vote. An obvious a case of premature e-clickulation.  Listen up fellas the next time you're planning your next campaign email blitz get the timing down, better yet...think baseball, baseball, baseball....Unfortunately because you lads couldn't control yourselves you've now made a political stain on your boss's biggest policy accomplishment to date.

So who's to blame? Obviously the bucks finally stops at the mayor, however since it is common knowledge that he has absolutely no political savvy we had to do a little research and according to sources all signs point to the Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director Robert Vane (RVAN) the young guy in the middle.  You might remember him from his playful spats with Jen Wagner of Accidental Mayor fame who gushed every time he looked her way. 

Well sorry to disappoint you Mr. Vane but over here a pretty face is temporary, a stupid decision lasts a lifetime. We suggest that you run over there and get your boys back on track quick, otherwise in 2011 your Democratic opponents are gonna' have you guys in the fetal position talking to yourselves. Finally, Robert the next time you are able to secure bi-partisan support (if there is a next time) act like you've had it before not like some teenager on his first date.

As for the three Democrats who are fuming that their article was used in the email? Sorry, you guys wrote it, it was published and it's now public record and legitimate fodder for you to run on or someone to run with. Get over it.

ANALYSIS:

UP:  SiMi $70

DOWN:  GBAL $100, RVAN $90, NQAI $70