Temperament & The Run-Off

Now that we are in the run-off I'm interested in seeing how all the candidates that are left deal with the issue of temperament. Normally that is a phrase I only use when speaking about judicial candidates but of the municipal candidates, there is at least one candidate in each race that has issues with temperament.

When you consider the behavior of city council over the last couple of years you'll understand why they are often referred to as dysfunctional. People like Niland, Limon, Noe, and Tolbert haven't helped fix that image much. All the fighting has been bad for the city.

So I think the temperament of the candidates is going to be something voters consider when it comes to the run-off vote. I don't think voters are going to want to send people to council that are drama queens or have issues with their anger.

Lets take a look at the guys with a problem controlling their anger or temperament.

David Saucedo - His volume is always at a 10. He's always angry and it can't figure out why. In addition to his age, bad experience with money, and inability to keep a story straight, its gonna be hard to see how voters look past his presentation. Also, he should've cut that greasy hair and lost the beard a long time ago. Gotta look like a mayor if you want people to envision you as one.

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Jim Tolbert - Tolbert is the poster boy of emotional candidates. Jim has two speeds - really nice and really fucking angry. All of his self-inflicted wounds have to do with him losing his temper and that is bad on council.

Steakgate - anger. Jim was mad that he didn't get invited for free steak. Probably the most juvenile thing he has been mad about.

Quorumgate - Tolbert expressed being pissed about other players being in the now-infamous meeting when he felt like he did more than others that were included.

Assholegate - The most obvious example of Tolbert losing his temper. How is D2 at all benefited by the emotional outbursts and anger?

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Jaime Barceleau - He's used to be in charge and not used to working within the confines of a body that questions him because he's been the boss, or in the Army, for most of his career. How can that guy even begin to be a constructive member of a legislative body that a will have some tough conversations coming their way? Just look how he reacts to the slightest bit of criticism:



I know, I know, you guys think I just look for excuses to post this video again.

And you're right, I do. But it does underscore my point about his lack of ability to control his temper. Look how he reacts to a member of the public. What happens when there are difficult and perhaps confrontational conversations at council? Is that demeanor going to benefit District 3?

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Sam Morgan - I don't know what got into Sam in this election cycle but he's almost a different guy. There has been an edge to him from day one that seemed like it was annoyance at having to campaign against other people for a seat he perceives rightfully belongs to him. It was so notable I actually asked him about his tone after one of the first debates. In that debate he went after Diana Ramos in a really harsh tone. He came across as angry that she was running for the seat.

And then there's the interview with the El Paso Times when they called him and asked him about his campaign finance report appearing to show that he had paid his business rent with campaign money. He hung up on the reporter when they asked him questions about the situation. Well what is he gonna do on behalf of constituents of District 4 in the northeast if he gets a tough question he doesn't like? What does he do if the question comes on the dais and not on the phone where he can hang-up?

These candidates probably want to avoid a candidate forum because now that the races are down to two candidates, how they comport themselves, especially now that the stakes are higher, is going to come out.