to follow up on this....
so if he supported the party, he would be a polite host, then?
what does that say about Hamas and Jimmuh?
This comment was eloquence squared.
How about "Being he could be the next President of the United States; the answer should be yes."
If McCain miraculously wins despite the second coming, Becker and his disciples can continue to bitch about the Republicans - and he never had to get his hands dirty shaking one's hand. How did that meeting with th Mexican delegation go? I hope that audience was wowed in Toronto with the global warming talk and other international intrigue. What if McCain offers to meet for shots at the Ivanhoe?
There is in my mind nothing more clear that Mayor Becker is living in a world of his very own.
Great question! I'm glad you asked it.
I am also disappointed in the mayor’s response…shame.
Sorry, but I don't see it. John McCain is not a foreign dignitary, nor does he represent anyone in the state of Wisconsin. When a politician comes into the area in a strict political capacity as a candidate, someone's presence acts as an endorsement by default. Therefore he has every right to decline to give that endorsement if he doesn't want to give it.
like the germans, nick?
what about the troops...can we take it that he didnt go so he doesnt care about their vote?
I dsiagree Nick. As Mayor he should be there to provide a welcome to the city.
It offers no endorsement, nor should he have to stick around for the event.
It is a concept called being a polite host.
While I think the mayor has a perfect right to not attend this event, I think it's politically also stupid and ill-mannered. He is the host of the city, and it is his job to be a good host when any dignitary comes to town---no matter what party they happen to belong to.
In fact, this is the sort of polarization where good manners are totally forgotten, that I have a lot of trouble with,
. . . and the "all-inclusive, tolerant" democrats seem to be the most guilty just about all the time.
"Fred, I respectively??? disagree" ---- he, or his secretary, also need to check their vocabulary.
He fired his secretary over a sexual harrassment suit last week.
Mayor Becker won't go
to welcome hero John McCain!
put politics aside?
Fred! Do you see this?
My word! What have you created?
I speak in haiku
Regardless that Mccain is a candidate, he is still a United States Senator and should be respected as such. I would expect as much for Obama if the Mayor were republican.
Since when to politicians attend political events for politicians they do not support?
It would be proper for the mayor to greet McCain, but that is not what you asked him to do.
Our County Exec McReynolds will be there - who needs the Mayor? Even though the event is "technically" taking place in his municipality, I'm guessing the majority of McCain supporters are not from the City and will be more appropriately represented by McReynolds anyway.
Becker's time is better served planning another art district!
History....Becker also didn't attend when the sitting President of the United States spoke here four years ago...at least he's consistantly RUDE....
Here though is a better observation...he says he won't be there because its for a candidtate he doesn't support. From this then we should assume had Hillary won the nomination he wouldn't attend either? I THINK NOT!!!!
NOt paying attention 3rd way? I said, "As Mayor he should be there to provide a welcome to the city. It offers no endorsement, nor should he have to stick around for the event."
Fairly simple.
That is fairly simple Fred, but no where in the context of your post do you articulate that part about welcoming and not sticking around for the event.
Your post says "I asked Racine Mayor Gary Becker if he would be attending the Town Hall visit by John McCain this Thursday." Unless they are a supporter any politician of sound mind is going to answer that question with something to the effect of "Being he is a candidate I do not support; the answer would be no".
I will see you at the "town hall meeting" Fred. I will be the guy with the Bush/Cheney shirt and the "4 more years" sign.
I articulated that exactly to the Mayor 3rd way.
Wow - even 3rd way recognizes that Bush/Cheney are better than both candidates.
Becker is little. A bigger person would be able to rise up to the event and be a mature host.
Well noted, Bryan--that he didn't welcome the President to Racine a few years ago. I thought that quite small of him. Really the mayor's post is supposed to be "non-partisan." Shouldn't our mayor be reinforcing that myth?
I'm willing to bet the mayor of Kenosha would have welcomed Sen. McCain. Even though Mayor Bosman was supported by the Dems in the city, he was classy enough to attend the RPKC Lincoln Day Dinner. That is truly showing non-partisanship in a position that is supposed to be non-partisan.
Much ado about nothing. The McCain visit is simply a campaign event. It really doesn't matter (symbolically or otherwise) if the mayor is there. It certainly doesn't matter to the McCain campaign.
It's worthwhile to note amid this chatter that Mayor Becker ran unopposed in the last election. Talk's cheap, isn't it.
I wonder if he'd visit the troops if he was in Germany. Obama didn't. He went shopping.
The excuses that Obama has made are so absurd even 3rd-grade doesn't believe them.
Better yet, because libs don't support the troops, would he welcome General Patraeus to Racine.
He doesn't meet with those he doesn't support right?
Have McCain speak at Ivanhoes, then Duh Mayor will be there.
Nice
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