POST MORTEM

Sure, the body is still warm, but what the hell. Pass the scalpel.

The general consensus among those in-the-know is that Patrick Madden has enough absentees to maintain his infinitesimal lead in the mayoral primary. Honestly, this surprises us. Why?

WILSTSHIRE CAMPAIGN

Wiltshire ran an A+ campaign in terms of organization. He got his people to the polls. He went door-to-door numerous times and sent out personalized e-mails that included the recipient's first name as well as their polling location. They know social media. A smart campaign from an organizational standpoint. We figured they would have had the absentee ballot angle covered.

MADDEN CAMPAIGN

A C+. He only gets the + because the conventional wisdom is that he'll eke it out. Madden's campaign lacked energy and in the internet age Wiltshire's campaign is facebook and Madden's was Myspace. One imagines Madden's people had a Commodore 64 with a DOS operating system. They need to revamp and hire or get volunteers under the age of 40.

EVERETT

Ernie proved a class act by stopping by Ryan's Wake on Thursday night. That is old school, and gracious. Hopefully, when (if?) Madden wins he'll have Ernie next to him at the press conference announcing his primary victory.

This campaign exposed the painful truth that both candidates have their strengths but also their weaknesses. Madden did not have people running to the polls for him. Rodney did, but not enough. Madden appears reluctant. Wiltshire overeager. Both could learn something from the other.


GOING FOWARD

Some free advice (Hey, you get what you pay for):

Madden - update your campaign, find a good energy drink and hit the pavement. Find a few kids who know social media and start working it. Don't forget to run as the 'outsider' since you are actually the real outsider. You have not been on the City Council and have not been enrolled in any party. Your position with TRIP prevented your involvement in partisan bullshit. Use that to your advantage now. You are the political outsider.

Madden needs to widen his circle of advisors. To date he has relied far too much on former Troy Mayor Mark Pattison and operative Mark Streb. Those are fine people to rely on for campaign advice, but expand it to include people that are currently in City Hall or have run in an election in the last few years. People who really know the current lay of the land.

Rodney, it would have been great if you had two lines.  You won't. If you are a Democrat, you need to endorse Madden and campaign for him. Put aside your hatred of Tom Wade and do what is right for the party but more importantly do what is right for the city. You'll have a future if you stop taking your ball and going home every time you don't get your way. Also, you may want to consult an attorney about those recorded conversations with the Everett supporter. They may have gone over the line. We'll discuss that later, not in front of company.

Ernie, campaign hard for Madden. You have a future in politics.

ODDS & ENDS

Funniest line heard at Ryan's Wake: "Wiltshire must be in trouble." Said when former County Court Judge candidate Amy O'Connor walked in to Ryan's Wake around 9:30. That said, O'Connor would be a good choice for corporation counsel in a Democratic administration.

Sneaky Move: The Wiltshire Campaign attempting to co-opt the Dresher campaign in e-mails. Dresher was not amused. Another ethical issue with Wiltshire's campaign.

Corey Jenkins will not campaign in District 6 (D'Arcy needs to get him on board). A pragmatic decision that the other Team Troy members should follow. Anasha will survey his supporters about whether to campaign or not. Peggy is moving forward with her campaign. If the losing candidates are democrats, they need to campaign for the winners. And yes, that means Kopka and Higbee should help Bissember and Doherty.

Finally, where's Jim Franco?  T-Spin looks like its been abandoned.