The campaigns for mayor are winding down. And last-minute deciders are, you know, deciding at the last minute. Are you one of them? No pressure. But it’s time, buddy. Focus!
We’ve put together a convenient guide to the election to help you figure out who’s who and what’s what. It includes profiles of the two candidates plus links to a scorecard of where they stand on the issues, a chart of endorsements, and more.
A lot of national eyes are on this election. President Obama weighed in the other day with an endorsement for Councilman David Alvarez (“Today, with the city’s economy and neighborhoods poised to make progress there is no question that David is the right choice to be San Diego’s next mayor”), although it comes too late to convince any potential voters — like young people — to register to vote.
• In a not-quite-grabby headline, the NY Times touts “A Battle of Ideology in a City Unaccustomed to That Sort of Election.” Refreshingly, the reporter doesn’t rely on the two or three usual-suspect pundits who serve as go-to quote machines for out-of-town journos.
• The Associated Press focuses on the line that divides the city — Interstate 8 — and notes that San Diego would become the largest U.S. city with a Republican mayor if Councilman Kevin Faulconer wins.
• The U-T and 10News are out with a new poll that shows the mayor’s race as nearly tied, with Hispanics divided 61 percent-32 percent in favor of Alvarez.
Fact Check Facelift: New Verdicts Arrive
As we explain a new story, we’re debuting two new Fact Check rulings: “Unfounded” (brand-new) and “A Stretch” (replacing “Barely True”) And we’re introducing new icons for the various verdicts.
How will these verdicts work? Take a look: We have a new Fact Check right off the assembly line, and it comes with an “Unfounded” ruling. The claim is courtesy of local entrepreneur Michael Robertson, founder of mp3.com, who declared in a recent commentary that two-thirds of minimum wage workers receive raises within their first year of work.
VOSD Radio Bros Out over Sports
The VOSD Radio Show and Expanded Podcast featured guest Beau Lynott, a VOSD contributor and local sportshead. Lynott talks about the Super Bowl (he was there in person), the great performance this year by the Aztecs, the perennially disappointing Padres and the strength of San Diego’s cultural scene.
Breaking News Sunday
San Diego police officer Christopher Hays was arrested for suspected battery and false imprisonment of women. At least five women have accused him of mistreatment. Here’s the LA Times: “The arrest was announced by Chief Bill Lansdowne.
‘This officer, if the allegations prove true, will go to prison,’ Lansdowne said.”
Now Here’s a Tip for You, Jay Porter…
Twitter, Facebook and our comment section lit up after we posted an interview with former local restauranteur Jay Porter, who’s leaving the scenic confines of North Park (where he owned two high-profile restaurants) for what he considers to be a friendlier atmosphere up in Oakland. In a word, the response to Porter’s complaints was frigid.
Among other things, critics (disclosure: I’m one of them) are attacking the quality of Porter’s restaurants, his unwillingness to take blame himself for anything, and what they see as his essential superiority. “Come on, don’t call people provincial. It’s so hilariously elitist and condescending,” says a commenter.
Then there’s this: “Please, anyone show me a place with local food & craft beer without a giant side order of smug,” says one Facebook commenter. Another commenter adds this new term to my vocabulary: “Yupster food.”
Sounds like something I’d eat at a 1970s-style fern bar. Oh my gosh, I’ve just stumbled upon the newest retro restaurant trend!
Randy Dotinga is a freelance contributor to Voice of San Diego and vice president of the American Society of Journalists & Authors. Please contact him directly at randydotinga@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/rdotinga.
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