Polling the Candidates

Last night, during a forum for  five candidates running for two at-large seats on the Cedar Rapids City Council, the hopefuls were asked who they support in the hotly contested race for mayor.

Three candidates, Chuck Swore, Donald Karr and Nick Duffy said they support Ron Corbett.

Swore said he'd love to have Corbett's top rival, council member Brian Fagan, as his own "son," calling him "a peach." But he wouldn't support his "son" for mayor.

I predict some awkward moments at hypothetical Thanksgiving.

Karr provided an even more, uh, enthusiastic endorsement of Corbett. "Ron Corbett has a big tool box, almost as big as mine," Karr said.

Robert Bates said he's "tired of Corbett" but did not endorse his rivals, Fagan or P.T. Larson. At-large candidate Aaron Saylor said he could work with either Fagan or Corbett.

After Saylor's attempt at political diplomacy, someone in the audience yelled "Typical politician." Ouch.

Frankly, it's none of our business who will get their secret ballot. But that hasn't stopped us from asking,

It's a question we've asked every city candidate who stopped by The Gazette's editorial board. So far, "none of your business"  is in the lead.

Six candidates declined to say who they support, including District 3 candidates Pat Shey and Kathy Potts, at-larger Saylor and all three hopefuls in district one - incumbent Kris Gulick, Tim Pugh and Ryan Russell.

Most answered the question like Shey, who said both Corbett and Fagan have leadership ability and would do a fine job.

Four support Corbett - Swore, Karr, Duffy and current District 3 City Council member Jerry McGrane. McGrane said Fagan is a "nice guy" but the city needs a change. (Just not in his district.)

No candidate said they back Fagan, although some of the no-sayers may indeed be in his camp. Corbett also said during his meeting with the board that he has the backing of current council members Monica Vernon and Justin Shields. Vernon is not on the ballot and Shields is unopposed.

Does any of this matter?

Well, if election night breaks for Corbett and his backers, he could come into office with a significant voting block initially on his side. And that could have a significant impact on the future direction of city policy and management. Ditto is Fagan comes into power alongside the diplomats.

But there's also risk in tying your own candidacy to someone else's wagon. If they have a bad night, you might wish you hadn't.

So I don't blame the candidates who declined to weigh in. Politics sometimes becomes "typical" because it's also smart.