Tim, Tristan, this piece is just more evidence that the NYT has not only fallen on hard times but still doesn’t have a clue about anything in this state, especially this city. First, the reporter’s idea of a story on the Dallas mayoral race is to swoop in and hobnob at Victory Park with Perot Jr., who might be a fine fella but has almost no feel for the political complexities of the city-at-large, and has rarely been mentioned in ANY political discussions about Saturday’s race. But he does rather effectively stand in for a J.R. caricature ($69 margaritas!) summoned up by a lazy reporter. What, nothing about the grassy knoll?
Then, the piece turns to an extended love chat with Mayor Laura Miller, taking at face value her preposterous claim that she didn’t run again because she was tired of the life of the politician [must stop typing to laugh/vomit] rather than because she would have been beaten like a drum, as we’ve said here and in the print version of FrontBurner many times. And the list of top candidates (Leppert, Wells, Coats) certainly will be a surprise tomorrow–where’s Ed Oakley? Darryl Jordan?
I hope the reporter writes up a good expense account, because it will have to cover up a lack of actual legwork. Maybe he can save himself with this editors by also writing a travel piece about Dallas; you know, how many women have big hair and implants.