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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > November > 03 > Entry
Editorial: McLin couldn’t beat the times, and Leitzell
The mayoral election in Dayton looks like one of those that comes along once a decade or so to put the so-called experts in their place and show just how unpredictable democracy can be.
From the beginning, even the experts could see that it was a bad year for any mayor to be seeking re-election. With the local economy doing even worse than the national economy, with a Democratic president falling in the polls and disappointment with him rising, and with the incumbent having her own weaknesses as a candidate, it was the kind of year that could upset all patterns.
And yet the city is overwhelmingly Democratic. The Democrats had all the money. The challenger was a low-profile, first-time candidate with no polish in the business of politics and no identifiable issue, except what everybody knew: the city is hurting.
Challenger Gary Leitzell had one other major force working for him. But it also worked against him. That force is race. The white challenger and black incumbent each went into the contest with much better chances in some neighborhoods than others.
Fortunately, however, the campaign itself was not much about race, at least until some late mailings by the Democrats that focused on obscure quotes allegedly from Mr. Leitzell about race. Waiting until the last minute to attack undercuts the possibility of any useful discussion. At any rate, the mailings don’t seem to have done much good.
Give Mr. Leitzell credit for taking the plunge into the contest, for putting himself out there for everybody to judge. It’s not easy. And he did give voters a choice, which they should have. And he did improve as a candidate — figuring out how amateurish some of his ideas were — as the campaign progressed.
Unfortunately, however, he did not give much reason to believe he could handle the problems of the city any better than the incumbent. He had not studied the issues enough to present a critique that made Rhine McLin the city’s problem, as opposed to the times being the problem.
He might have been helped by a televised debate. Conventional political wisdom holds that only a challenger can be helped by a debate, and that all a challenger must do is hold his own, which he did.
Mayor McLin has defeated two men who were better qualified than Mr. Leitzell: then-Mayor Mike Turner and community activist Dave Bohardt. But the years were different.
She deserves credit for having done a credible job in handling the multiple problems that the times threw her way. But when the times got worse and worse, her personal limitations seemed to be held against her more than when the times were better. That’s the way in politics.
Gary Leitzell is an unknown quantity. There’s an awful lot he doesn’t know about government and politics that he should know. The fact that he was struck by political lightning doesn’t change that. He will need a lot of good advice.
The voters — those who showed up — seem to be saying that they think somebody can do better than the incumbent. He will not find that easy.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: City of Dayton, Editorials, Elections, Martin Gottlieb, Miami Valley Politics
Comments
By Resident
November 4, 2009 12:17 AM | Link to this
How sad… The DDN editorial board talking down about Leitzell a mere hour after the results are final just shows what a complete joke this paper has become. Congratulations to the City of Dayton and Mr. Leitzell.
By r
November 4, 2009 12:38 AM | Link to this
the article is just another reason to treat the DDN as just an update for police and fire news…I almost didn’t read this article. newspapers have lost their relevance…this is proof
By AGE
November 4, 2009 1:34 AM | Link to this
As a black man and one who tends to lean to the Democratic party, I tired of McLin a long time ago. It was unfortunate that she defeated Turner, and our city has been in a free fall ever since. How long do we continue to let someone that clearly doesn’t understand the world of business run our city into the ground? We need fresh blood, and I’m glad the city spoke clearly!
By Concerned
November 4, 2009 3:07 AM | Link to this
It may be expected that a losing candidate could be bitter about the election outcome, but the editorial staff of the local paper? It is time for all of us to put our full support behind our new Mayor in any way we can. Where he needs guidance, it is up to all of us to provide what we can. The future of Dayton rests with all of us. Let’s begin the important hard work NOW.
By Concerned
November 4, 2009 3:07 AM | Link to this
It may be expected that a losing candidate could be bitter about the election outcome, but the editorial staff of the local paper? It is time for all of us to put our full support behind our new Mayor in any way we can. Where he needs guidance, it is up to all of us to provide what we can. The future of Dayton rests with all of us. Let’s begin the important hard work NOW.
By oldtimer
November 4, 2009 5:46 AM | Link to this
Leitzell’s election isn’t really going to change much. The mayor has no real power other than to act as spokesman for the city. All power is concentrated in the hands of the City Manager under our city manager-commission form of government. The mayor’s vote counts no more than the other council members’ votes. The only change could be that there will be more 4-1 votes rather than 5-0 votes. Council only sets policy, the city manager runs the city.
By irishguy
November 4, 2009 6:48 AM | Link to this
Sure, it was only the times. Ms McLin had nothing to do with it. The rumors of her drinking, the goofy hats and glasses. WTF is the story with those glasses? The democrats give you a square deal and your belly will be round?? Maybe the voters just thought an adult should be mayor.
By davidss2
November 4, 2009 6:49 AM | Link to this
Really sad that DDN admits, finally, that black & democrat McLin supporters tried to use race to their advantage. If Leitzell & supporters had used race, that would be a big negative; but the DDN tries to blur over how racism is okay for blacks to use but not for whites. That’s the core of the problems of the last 8 years. The sense that once again the black democrats were in charge… and racism was in play for who got which up-front jobs in the McLin administration.**Even funnier is the DDN tries to hang this on Obama’s continual downslide in his ability to lead!!!! But they won’t be blaming Obama for NJ Corsine and the Virginia governorships changing to Republican. But Obama’s reality hurts McLin. The editorial is just sad in its transparency (Obama promised transparency didn’t he).————————does anyone remember Gotleib saying how popular opinion was against Obama in the blogs and Obama won so the popular blog commenters were just whiners and there was no merit to their concerns about the McLin ineffective era! Hey. Leitzell won.—————-Guess the Dems should have put the democrat manufacturing machine ACORN to work more again to get out the votes for McLin.
By oldman013
November 4, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this
Just read the editorial and it sounded more like the election of the president in 2008. Just replace the name of Leitzell with Obama and the DDN has it right.
By null
November 4, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this
Of course her ‘personal limitations’ were held against her when times were tough as opposed to when things were better. Is that a serious point? That’s like saying she was a great Mayor until she actually had to act like the Mayor. Leadership is only truly demonstrated when times are tough. Her ‘personal limitations’ were detrimental to this city in a time when it needs all the help it can get.
By Bill
November 4, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
Funny how when the paper tells the truth their position comes under attack…Good luck. At Least he’s no longer unemployed
By null
November 4, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this
Some of that ‘truth’ would have been fantastic in their endorsement, Bill.
By Unimpressed
November 4, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this
The reality is that both candidates were horrible. Black, white, male, female, whatever!!! We had a last name vs. an unemployed house husband. Dayton is and has been in trouble. Hopefully Tim Riordan can help.
By David McDonald
November 4, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this
The results of the election were not a real surprise. Two days ago I told a crowd that Gary was probably up by 10 points. It was a surprise to many because they were not involved - in anything! Many important people in this region - who need to care about the City of Dayton, stood by and did absolutely nothing. Many more threw money at McLin, thinking that she would win and somehow the money would help them. They threw money but not time. If they had thrown time, they would have realized a month ago that Gary was ahead. The City of Dayton is terminally ill. 2010 will be bad, but 2011 will likely be horrible. For the city to do well, we need all of those people who stood idly by to stand up and be counted. There are honestly ways to start the process of globally stabalizing Dayton. True, Gary is not a slick politician, but he is smart, honest, caring, and he does have many good ideas. The DDN says he initially had some half baked ideas. They think that because initially they were not really listening.
By George
November 4, 2009 9:12 AM | Link to this
Leave it to the DDN to bring race in to this. Also, leave it to the DDN to bring up Leitzell’s apparent lack of qualifications to manage a city all the while perpetually singing the praises of perhaps the most unqualified presidential candidate in history.
By Davidss2
November 4, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
It’s sad that DDN seems disappointed that the race card played by the black party in this didn’t work. DDN suggests they should have sent out the last blast mailings to try to undercut Leitzell because he is white sooner so they could have had an effect.*****When can we get a real newspaper in this town?
By Davidss2
November 4, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this
It’s sad that DDN seems disappointed that the race card played by the black party in this didn’t work. DDN suggests they should have sent out the last blast mailings to try to undercut Leitzell because he is white sooner so they could have had an effect. ***** When can we get a real newspaper in this town?
By etackett
November 4, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
If painting miniatures for a living is not a real job. Than how is writing editorials????
By MaryAnne
November 4, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this
I could not vote for Mayor,but can tell you I am pleased that we have a new one. It affects all of us in the region and can honestly say that fountains and a boutique will not solve Dayton’s problems. People need jobs and I wish the new Mayor-Elect the very best.
By painfultruth
November 4, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
All the DDN can do is attempt to placate its base of welfare grabbing low-life scumbags. Democrats always have thin skin. Sure is funny when the show is on the other foot! The DDN remains excellent for wrapping your garbage. News? The National Inquirer is a more reliable source than the DDN!
By Painfultruth is painfulstupid
November 4, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
“By painfultruth November 4, 2009 11:57 AM All the DDN can do is attempt to placate its base of welfare grabbing low-life scumbags. Democrats always have thin skin. Sure is funny when the show is on the other foot! The DDN remains excellent for wrapping your garbage. News? The National Inquirer is a more reliable source than the DDN!” What a reasoned intelligent argument…except it isn’t “Enquirer” Race baiting hate-rants are much more convincing when spelled correctly.
By Erin
November 4, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this
I have known Gary for about 4 years and worked collaboratively with him in Walnut Hills when I worked for a nearby elementary school. I think Gary will be a breath of fresh air in city hall. People with “polish in the business of politics” haven’t been able to get the job done in Dayton. Maybe it’s time for someone whose thinking is not confined by “the way we always do it” to come in and start helping people think creatively about how to revive Dayton. I wish Gary the best of luck. He’s a good man and a problem solver who is not in this for himself; he’s in it because he loves Dayton.
By Erin
November 4, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this
I have known Gary for about 4 years and worked collaboratively with him in Walnut Hills when I worked for a nearby elementary school. I think Gary will be a breath of fresh air in city hall. People with “polish in the business of politics” haven’t been able to get the job done in Dayton. Maybe it’s time for someone whose thinking is not confined by “the way we always do it” to come in and start helping people think creatively about how to revive Dayton. I wish Gary the best of luck. He’s a good man and a problem solver who is not in this for himself; he’s in it because he loves Dayton.
By Bil
November 4, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Change the name of your editorial page to the DDN ‘Sour Grapes Page”. Good Luck to the new Mayor and Welcome Ohio to the 21st century in finally recognizing that people like to gamble.
By ProudRepub
November 4, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this
Just goes to show the biased liberal views of journalism, thanks Daytonians for finally getting that alcoholic cuckoo out of office!
By paul
November 5, 2009 12:26 AM | Link to this
Everyone in city government should consider themselves ambassadors or salespeople for this area and use all their resources to attract businesses to this area. That is the single most important job they can do at this point in time.
By paul
November 5, 2009 12:28 AM | Link to this
Everyone in city government should consider themselves ambassadors or salespeople for this area and use all their resources to attract businesses to this area. That is the single most important job they can do at this point in time.
By Henry
November 5, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t read any sour grapes in this editorial at all, or any anti-Leitzell bias. Just a statement of the obvious facts, and that’s fine.
By george
November 5, 2009 12:56 PM | Link to this
Same old liberal slant from the DDN. The state has a bad case of constipation, and Dayton just jumped past Middletown, Springfield, Youngstown, and Lima as the best place to insert an enema to relieve the problem. The auto industry collapse started in the early 80’s…where was the move to start to diversify the economy and manufacturing base then? Turds cannot be polished, and there is no way for Dayton to shine until it gets some forward-thinking leadership in place. Until then, you, and all of Ohio, will swim in the effluent scum floating down from Michigan to the north. Wake up Miami Valley…either get out now, or have an exit strategy in place.
By Michael
November 5, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
I’m not a Dayton resident, but I sure am happy that Miss “I never met a photo op I didn’t like” will soon be out of office. What she did for Dayton could likely be put on the end of a Q-tip. Congrats to Mayor-elect Leitzell.
By thank god
November 6, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this
Gary will help Dayton,his idea of requiring the commish to start following the city charter instead of just doing as they please with their own personal agendas in mind not the interest of the city and it’s residents.Prime example: the residency rule they fired many city employees for yet Joe Williams and Rhine Mclin didn’t abide by.How about the more than 1 million dollars in expense Dean Lovelace incurred by annonymously getting the DOJ investigation into city hiring where no wrong doing has ever been found.Let’s not stop at replacing the mayor it’s just a good start.
By riverat
November 7, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
Tim Riordan will do a great job, if they don’t run him off AGAIN!!