Mansfield's Midway in Muncie

By Jim Arnold

There is a turning point in many “battles” when the momentum changes--the tide turns, and military battle or political campaign is lost.  For the Japanese Imperial Navy versus the United States Navy, it was the Battle of Midway.  For Richard M. Nixon’s 1960 presidential bid it was the Nixon/Kennedy debate.   Nixon, who was suffering from a cold, looked very pale and non-presidential, and was out-performed by Jack Kennedy, who was an excellent orator.
 
Muncie historians will recall Jim Mansfield’s "Midway" for the 2007 Mayoral race was his ill-advised comment at the Candidate Forum concerning meeting with Japanese investors wherein he stated that “In certain areas of Japan sending a female is a dishonor to the Japanese people.”  You COULD NOT hear a pin drop in the room after his statement as people first gasped and then booed his sexist, poorly chosen comment.   Sadly, it is true that some cultures have further to go than ours to reach true equality for women (and minorities), but Jim Mansfield’s candidacy imploded in an ironic example of political ineptitude.  I shudder to think of what other brilliant remarks he might make during meeting with those some Japanese businessmen if given the opportunity.   WWIII anyone?
 
It amuses me that some political pundits out there didn’t bother to attend the Candidate Forum last evening, but want to somehow blame this fiasco on the Republicans.  I am sorry guys; I was there and saw it first hand. Jim Mansfield stepped into that one all by himself.
 
Of course, the Republicans might have something to say about it in a few days. In keeping with the Japanese theme I would suggest Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto, and Sayonara.

Technorati Tags: Local Delaware County Government Jim Arnold Jim Mansfield Muncie Muncie Mayoral Race 2007 Opinion Politics

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