BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY OCT. 3, 2016) — Last month citizens and voters — at least the few who were paying attention — saw a rarity. THE PLANET speaks of the exact moment a challenger lost any chance of beating a well-entrenched incumbent.

This scarcity occurred at the Pittsfield Gazette‘s primary debate for 3rd Berkshire District house candidates at BCC. Moderator Larry Kratka asked if the city had a spending problem or a revenue problem. The incumbent, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, went first and predictably gave the safe Establishment answer. She said Pittsfield had a revenue problem. Not enough money was coming in to fund the wish list some call “the budget,” she said. She pitched raising taxes. Then came Michael Bloomberg‘s turn. TFB had just given him an opening wide enough for Sophie Tucker.

We waited, breath baited, anticipation gated. Would the youngster fight or fold.”

He folded like Myron Floren‘s accordian. He agreed with TFB.

Game. Set. Match.

To Win You Must Play to Win

In following the party line, Bloomberg raised the white flag saying he wasn’t playing to win.  THE PLANET believes he started out with sincere intentions. As the campaign progressed, however, he failed to separate his views from hers. He became, in the end, a TFB mini-me. Was he playing for the future?

In giving an answer the party biggies could embrace, observers predicted Bloomberg would lose, endorse Tricia, and set himself up for a local political future. In other words, they claimed Bloomberg was “playing ball” for a future position. It’s a sensible plan — if all you want is to feather the nest for a future hatchling. It reminds THE PLANET of the observation made in Orson Welles‘ classic Citizen Kane. Bernstein,  the head of the late Kane’s empire, tells the investigator it’s easy to become rich — if all you want is to become rich. Likewise the safest way to power and money — if that’s all you want — is to cozy up to those with more power and money than you have. Was that Bloomberg’s intention? The 2017 municipal elections will tell.

What does all this have to do with the general elections? Plenty, at least in the house race between TFB and independent Chris Connell. The current Ward 4 councilor can win, but only if he doesn’t follow Bloomberg’s path to oblivion. Bloomberg’s showing tells us there’s a sizable anti-incumbent sentiment. Folks taking an objective look at the five-year incumbent have to be greatly underwhelmed by her time in office. Bloomberg did a decent job of exposing this, especially early in the campaign, before wilting under the pressure.

The Way to a Connell Win

If he wants to win, Connell needs to campaign relentlessly and hit hard, all the while contrasting himself with her. In the debates, he must master the issues and not be hesitant to unload. The electorate is ready for a change. One can sense it. To capitalize, Connell and his team must get out the vote. THE PLANET just told him how. A low-turnout in November guarantees another two-year term for Tricia. A good one, however, and we will see a race.

With a couple of money questions on the ballot, the legalization of marijuana, charter schools, and a white-hot presidential battle between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, such a turnout is more than possible. Connell, though, has to pick up the pace and drive the race — that is if  he is serious about pressing his advantages in a way young Bloomberg wasn’t.

The formula to a Connell victory: No let up. Press. Be ever on the offense. Raise and spend money wisely. Make news. Become visible. Articulate a “vision.’ Be specific. Keep her on the run, because she’s going to have every advantage The Suits can give her financially and organizationally. Also, show a contrast. The charter school issue (Question 2) can be Connell’s devastating right hook. She’s against adding more charters. He must be in favor. He needs to calls her out on spending. Pittsfield and the state have a spending addiction not a revenue problem.

The Little Guy has been too long forgotten. If Connell can connect there, he’s got a statehouse job in his future. If not, it’s two more years of the same.

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“I’ve always felt like an underdog, and I’m comfortable with that label.” — Pink

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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