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I was hoping to avoid having to add my two cents to this debate, but after receiving more than a few emails like this one:

Wendall:

Why didn’t you talk about all that stuff in the Scene article when you were running against Jimmy?  If everybody knew the truth about him, there’s no way he would have beat you.  You would’ve had my vote.

Better luck next time around,

Dan

…I feel compelled to tell you my thoughts on Jared Klaus’ feature in the aforementioned article from this week’s Scene magazine (and remind anyone who wants to send me an email that my name is spelled w-e-n-d-E-l-l).

I was contacted by Jared while he was researching this piece and asked if I was willing to answer a couple of questions.  I agreed to a phone interview and had a pleasant 30 minute conversation with him.  From the outset, I knew that this was meant to be a less than flattering piece on Jimmy, and I told Jared that I wasn’t interested in adding to the folklore of Jimmy’s often less than sterling reputation.  I also told him that while I was aware of Jimmy’s history, my own interaction with him during the campaign and since its end has been nothing but agreeable.  He’s treated me with kindness and respect - and in return I have no reason to treat him any other way.

I certainly could have brought up some of the questionable things from Jimmy’s past during the campaign - but do you really think that I would have won?  I would heave come across as an axe-grinding dirt slinger without any ideas of my own, and I still would have lost.  The reality is that the Scene article didn’t touch on anything local political insiders haven’t already known, so what’s the big deal?  This community has supported Jimmy for years and throwing mud would not have changed the situation.

Frankly one of things that adds to Jimmy’s charm is the underlying question of his ethical standards.  The stories about Jimmy are a primer in the way of the old style political boss.  Yes, I think it’s a conflict of interest for a party chair to hold public office, but then again I’m not a Democrat, so it’s not for me to make that determination.  Additionally, the questions of graft and backroom deals follow every politician and grow in prevalence with their tenure in office. 

Personally, I like Jimmy.  Would I prefer to see me instead of him on the Board of Commisioners?  Sure, but if people like Dan had been willing to do their homework in the first place, maybe I would be… but I doubt it.