Mayoral Recall Losing Its Luster

The Warner Mendenhall recall may be developing a toxicity that could doom it to failure. There are some recent developments that seem to indicate a weakening of the populist wave that Warner and Co. were hoping to surf to victory.

All of these indicators of recall sentiment trends were neatly presented in a piece in today's ABJ . The article headline sings about Chrissie Hynde hosting a rally for the besieged Mayor Plusquellic. The rally held at Summit Dem HQ in Akron is serving as an official launch of the anti recall, pro mayor canvassing push. The rest of the story actually follows the details of the rally.

At this point in the game any effort to unseat a sitting mayor should be building towards a crescendo. There is some evidence in today's report from the ABJ that the Change Akron movement is losing some steam.

When asked about gathering the required 3,200 signatures Mendenhall kind of balked at the question:

Mendenhall said Friday he thinks the group will reach the 3,200 mark but might need another 20 days to gather enough valid signatures — a provision permitted under the city's charter.

So much for overwhelming force. Isn't the whole thrust of the recall effort getting the signatures?  The hint of fizzle on the Change Akron Now side contrasts with gathering of pro-Don forces in an organized front. The other problem for Mendenhall is the apparent epidemic of defections plaguing his inner circle of followers.

Association with the Mendehall lunacy is starting to develop a taint. The most revelatory nugget is the announcement by one time mayoral candidate and poster boy for anti-Plusquellic contrarianism, Joe Finley , that he is not supporting the recall. Say it ain't so Joe. He was for the recall before he was against it.

Both Joe and ward 2 councilman Bruce Kilby indicate that their future plans to run for elected office outweigh the desire to carry on with the recall nonsense. This could be proof that being identified with the Mendenhall faction could be hazardous to your political health. With Finley out the that only leaves the hapless former opponent of the Mayor, Brian Williams, that has any name recognition. I'll leave that one alone.