Andrew Z has the first “Mayoral Debate”
The video came up for this after I went to bed, but I recommend you watch it before you read my comments. Last night on Fox Toledo on Talk Back with Andrew Z mayoral candidates Jim Moody and Keith Wilkowski were on to talk about the resolution Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak presented asking for the General Assembly to consider a 6 month moratorium on home foreclosures.
First, why didn’t Andrew introduce Moody by his party affiliation, is still a Republican isn’t he? He introduced Wilkowski as a Democrat. Second, this is a “Resolution” and it doesn’t involve just Toledo, so Moody’s comments related to this being a reason businesses would not come Toledo make no sense. If the General Assembly where to approve this it would relate to ALL of Ohio not just Toledo, Moody does mention State/City/County later which suggests he knows that. There’s nothing on the Moody for Mayor website that gives any help/resources to homeowners as Moody states. As a warning – his site has music so make sure your volume is down or you hit mute before you visit, there’s no option to shut it off.
Moody mentions Arizona, and it’s true it’s not likely to happen in AZ, because the Republican controlled chambers is not in support of it.
Wilkowski had the perfect opportunity to point out this is not something just being done here in Lucas County. He did try to mention that but didn’t go into detail. This is something that is happening in many States and some banks are considering moratoriums. Citigroup announced their own moratorium back in November. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had done a moratorium and could again since they are owned by the Federal government.
Resolutions really have no power, that I agree with Moody on, all they are is a written suggestion that gives the impression that it holds more power because it was voted on by a government body. Wilkowski mentions the Obama administration, the President doesn’t have the ability to institute a moratorium, Congress would have to if it’s a federal law and it realistically could take longer than 6 months if the Federal Government does provide financial assistance to either homeowners or the States. A moratorium doesn’t give anyone false hope if it’s done properly, we went through that last year with the utility moratorium, people can’t just not pay there are always rules and standards in place that have to be met that involve some attempt to be financially responsible. As an example, Massachusetts became the first state in the country to declare a moratorium on foreclosures stemming from predatory lending back in 2007. It was not a blanket, “Yipee we don’t have to pay our mortgage!” scenario nor would this be.
It’s difficult to get your talking points out in under three minutes, but neither Mayoral Candidate did a great job. Both should have had more real facts. Moody controlled the commentary better than Wilkowski but when you do that? You have to provide accurate information, or at least you are supposed to because when you don’t? It’s easy to point out what was not correct, especially since there is a video record of what was stated.
Lisa-
Jim Moody did a great job. He is not to be faulted for Andrew Z failing to say he is a Republican.
As for the information on his website, I checked, it is under the ‘Contact Us’ section. There is an external link about Foreclosure issues.
January 29th, 2009 at 11:06 amActually Henri – all that is there is an email link.
I checked every page. There are no resources on the website, which is what I stated and is accurate. Moody said, “As a matter of fact if anyone wants to go to our website, moodyformayor.com, we have resources that can help them fight foreclosure.”
Since you are all about being precise, if he wanted people in trouble to email him? He should have said that.
Also, since we are all about being precise, the question as to why Moody was not identified was phrased in a manner that directed that question at Andrew, not Jim Moody.
Which also ignores the fact why AZ is not doing this, or that this would not be something that would affect only Toledo if it were to happen, etc., etc.,
You’ll also note I stated neither man did a good job presenting factual information…
January 29th, 2009 at 11:23 am1. Andrew Z needs to stick to radio.
2. Moody had his best performance on TV so far.
3. Wilkowski did fine. His solution is for the gov to take care it. FYI- FDR never got the unemployment rate under 10% Keith. Thank you for WW2 that got us out the Great Depression.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:03 pmFYI- FDR never got the unemployment rate under 10% Keith. Thank you for WW2 that got us out the Great Depression.
The unemployment rate DID drop under 10% during FDR’s presidency. So if your point was that this was NOT FDR’s doing, then two counter-points:
1. America saw the single largest drop in unemployment rate in history under FDR’s watch—-and this was BEFORE WWII
2. This is more of a question than a point, but what would you consider WWII if not a massive government spending “program”?
January 29th, 2009 at 1:41 pmMoody did a much better job than Hans Schnapp, the other republican who is running so far. Probably because Reichert was working with Moody before the stain was around! He knew what he was talking about and came across fairly well as did Wilkowski. Where you fall on the issue would be a matter of personal politics.
January 29th, 2009 at 3:54 pmMartha44 wrote:
I have to agree with you Martha, he definitely has a face (and body) for radio!
January 29th, 2009 at 3:56 pmFood for thought. At the end of WWII the U.S. became an industrial giant. Great Britain’s empire shrank. It was a HUGE win for America economically. We produced and exported like crazy while helping to rebuild Germany and Japan.
I don’t see a HUGE win after this government spending program, just a lot of debt and an economy based on consumption that has stopped working.
BTW, Hi this is my first blog post!
Pink Slip wrote:
January 29th, 2009 at 4:07 pmSome more reading on FDR and how hs plan extended the Great Depression:
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/FDR-s-Policies-Prolonged-Depression-5409.aspx
Lisa you can hit me the next time you see me for being off topic.
It was a good debate. Too bad it did not last longer.
January 29th, 2009 at 5:51 pmMeghan, be nice…Andrew is the new Lucas County Weight Czar and his appearance really isn’t a factor for me anyway. I’m more concerned with the actual “reporting” part of it, he’s coming across as conservative so there’s a natural advantage for those who are more conservative leaning, it’s a two on one scenario.
Chris, I’m not going to hit anyone, least of all you. It’s not totally off topic since it was raised as part of the discussion.
Matt, Welcome to the Jungle. I hope you have fun here.
January 29th, 2009 at 6:16 pmYeah Chris, someone posted that UCLA article here before. Here’s what Nobel laureate said about it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yAyQV8gOjo&eurl=http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/107403/paul_krugman_schools_george_will_on_the_great_depression/
January 30th, 2009 at 9:14 amI give credit to Mr. Moody, he presented the reality of the subject. Mr. wilkowski presents the feel good solution. Keith how long do you want to run on the coat tails of Obama. C’mon your reference to Obama helping Toledo ohio’s individuals is hog wash. Your a very smart guy, do this on your own.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am