Look Out! … Political Mudslides!

     It’s started to get ugly.

     Now we all know that politics is a mean business. After all, the Latin root of the word tells it all … Poli (meaning many) and tics (blood sucking insects)!

     But up until a few weeks ago, it looked like the upcoming Fort Lauderdale Municipal Elections might just be different. The campaign trail was courteous, almost genteel.  But with just six weeks to go until the Primary Election, (scheduled for February 10th) , things have taken a turn for the worse. 

     Accusations of financial difficulties, lawsuits, disgruntled clients, even porn purchases! So far, the mud has only started it’s oozy slide in the Mayoral race, and only between some supporters of two of the four Mayoral candidates, former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Dean Trantalis, and former Lt. Colonel Earl Rynerson. 

     The Candidates themselves both say it’s all ridiculous, and they just want to be judged on their merits, but so far, they haven’t been able to keep rogue supporters in check.

     


                                                                                         
                            Earl Rynerson                                                                  Dean Trantalis


     

     For starters, both candidates are openly gay, and it appears that some of their fans think there’s just not enough room in this town for two “First Gay Mayors of Fort Lauderdale”. That brawl played out last week in the comment section of an unrelated post on this blog. To read all those comments,  click  here –  http://blog.timsmith.com/2008/12/21/picture-caption-contest-winners.aspx#Comment  .    

     
Now it’s gotten even uglier. An e-mail is being circulated entitled “The Truth about Earl Rynerson” . Let’s just say it not so flattering! 

     It purports to be from an avowed Trantalis supporter and states that “I feel I can’t sit by and let a good man like Dean Trantalis be dragged through the mud”, and then does it’s own dragging of Rynerson.

     Let’s hope this is a momentary lapse, that it’s not just the tip of the iceberg, and things will soon get back to civility. But don’t hold your breath while waiting!

    



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