Think longterm. Think rematch. Think encouragement for future underdogs. Think that nobody has gotten much more than a token 30 percent against DeStefano in the 18 years he’s been in office, and that Kerekes got 45.
I have no great kick against the incumbent—he’s enacted some progressive policies that you’d be hardpressed to find even in other liberal cities. With a viable opponent for a change, the mayor had to defend the main thrusts of his government style, and discuss the company he keeps, adding to our knowledge of how the city is run.
What sours me still is the nastiness of the DeStefano campaign, smearing his opponent with obvious stretches of truth and distasteful social stereotyping (“landlord,” “Tea Party-like”) and offering only lame excuses when challenged by press watchdogs on the accusations. This was DeStefano’s manner as well when he was the underdog, not the overdog he was here (and with different campaign advisors), in the gubernatorial race against Jodi Rell a few years ago.
One last kvetch of a long, drawn-out election season, where a host of candidates changed affiliations so they could reenergize and keep on running: Where was the excitement in the media? If you peered at the top half of the front page of a New Haven Register in a vending box yesterday, you would have had no idea it was Election Day: not even a reminder above the masthead, or a little box on the side. It’s as if they didn’t want you to vote.
The Yale Daily News, by happy contrast, headlined its top story “Polls Open for Election Day.” For a student paper, the YDN has admirably balanced coverage and doesn’t forget what day it is. The campus also seems to have a fervent interest in the Democratic process. There’s hope.