Abel Harding: Jacksonville's entangled in 2012 hullabaloo

Submitted by Abel Harding on May 6, 2011 - 1:54amPolitiJax

In print: May 6, 2011

One campaign argues it's all about 2012; the other says it's not. Behind the scenes, there's no question some of the supporters involved in both of Jacksonville's mayoral campaigns are looking ahead to the next game.

For proof, look no further than Florida's two U.S. senators. They've weighed in along party lines, with Bill Nelson backing Alvin Brown and Marco Rubio supporting Mike Hogan.

The parties are also very involved. Republicans have pledged at least $100,000 to Hogan. The Florida Democratic Party has now covered bills in excess of $313,000 for Brown.

Activists obviously see Jacksonville as crucial to the next presidential election. That's despite the fact that the presence of a Republican in City Hall and in the governor's mansion failed to deliver Florida for the GOP in 2008.

So what's all of the hullabaloo about? Simply put, for activists outside the city, it's bragging rights.

Think of it as the 2010 Florida-Georgia game. A victory ultimately meant nothing, but it did give a certain columnist a week to crow about the win to a Bulldogs-fan brother.

In all seriousness, the injection of national politics demonstrates the entrenchment of the two-party system. Local issues may not be partisan - and there is a strong argument to be made that they aren't - but both candidates have a track record of loyalty to their respective parties.

And for voters who subscribe to a specific philosophy, there's a reluctance to differ with their preferred party, even when core principles may not be at stake.

Hogan's legislative voting record shows a willingness to align himself with the leadership of his party, something he's never denied.

Brown has never cast a vote as an elected official and touts his bipartisanship, but his track record of donations - checks in excess of $50,000 over the past 16 years - indicate a definitive preference for Democrats. Only one of his contribution went to a Republican, according to opensecrets.org.

With the drumbeat of national issues holding sway, conversations about Jacksonville's quality of life, its levels of taxation and the future of its public schools have been drowned out. For voters, that's an unfortunate occurrence.