Comments on: Giambrone interruptus, it’s over

By: danbaril

danbaril — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:17:10 +0000

Singlehandedly, perhaps not. But with the help of fellow-bloggers and strategy folk such as myself, perhaps. Cheers.

By: bluegreenblogger

bluegreenblogger — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:10:25 +0000

If the crux of your’ argument is that it was a professional error, then the true test of it is whether it will, or can be made to resonate with a significant portion of the electorate. We will find out pretty quickly if that truly is the case. In the meantime, it won’t affect my opinion of Gambrione in the least. I could wish I were 32, handsome, ‘quasi-single’, and some other slightly envious thoughts, but not much angst in my heart over this one.
I do think it’s sad that there’s nothing too personal to merit an attack on a politician though. What the hey, we wouldn’t want people to think that politicians are generally good people, who dream of serving their constituents. Cannot spoil their sordid stereotype with some basic courtesy and compassion.
I guess the world is what it is, and while I try to change my little bit of it for what I think is the better, I cannot turn around the whole darn spin industry singlehandedly.

By: danbaril

danbaril — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:39:29 +0000

I think the last paragraph of my blog addresses why a double standard may be appropriate in this instance. My brother is retired, my neighbour owns a small manufacturing business, and my colleague designs surveys. Neither of them premeditated a plan to “dress-up” their partners to advance their careers while shagging multiple other women. And even if my brother, neighbour, or colleague did, the greater sympathy I may afford would be personal, not professional. In matters of public office where one is entrusted with the public good, how one behaves in private has some considered relevance; see Peter Kuitenbrouwer’s piece here. I agree we learn from our mistakes. At first blush, however, Mr. Giambrone appears to be trying to fasttrack the lesson with an immediate plea for graduation. Does not always work that way. I too will observe with interest for how we as a society deal with and grow from such issues is what fascinates the hell out of me.

By: bluegreenblogger

bluegreenblogger — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:00:12 +0000

Quasi infidelity indeed. If you are familiar with thebakground, then you know that Giambrone, being young, handsome, and single, had rumours percolating about him that he was gay. Not very damaging for a council candidate downtown, but for a Mayoral candidate? It would cost him dearly in the Etobicoke’s, muslim community etc. so what des he do when he doesn’t really want to ’settle down’ and marry? He finds a fig leaf who will stand by his side. Then he meets what he considers to be a ‘hot chick, and after checking his oath of office, and confirming that there was no celibacy clause, Hi Ho! he puts the puck in the net so to speak. The net gets pissed off a little later, and shares some emails.
There was no ’till death do us part’ in other relationship. Take a good look at our Parliaments, and just try counting all the infidelities, divorces etc. by sitting MP’s. The only story I can think of that really got attention was the Belinda and Peter story, which was all melodrama, no substance. Giambrone wasn’t married to anyone. If your brother, or neighbour, or a colleague at work got caught in a sim ilar situation, you would share a little sympathy, and not think twice about their guilt. Why apply a vastly different standard here?
I think that this is a case of the scandal that was missing some ingredients. In the campaign fishbowl, it got some attention from people like us, but it just doesn’t have a son-of-a-bitch component where people could get upset and remember.
Give it a month, and then see if an obituary is appropriate.
As far as commiting tactical mistakes, Giambrone is on the big stage for the first time, and he’ll make plenty of mistakes. He doesn’t have the profile for it yet, but I guess he figured it was better to run 4 years early than to try and face an incumbent in 2014. He will be making a very difficult choice in another couple months. Should he file for his old council seat again, or stick it out in the Mayoral race? I will observe with interest.