Monday, May 31, 2010

Duffy: Unfinished Business

I have been discussing Bob Duffy's run for Lt. Governor with friends and family. I have been fairly surprised by how many of them see this as a cynical, political move by Duffy.

Actually, it is not the run for Lt. Governor that they see as cynical, it is his former protestations that he was not a "politician" which has been exposed as bull and some of his policy initiatives, which now look like political ploys. Even the Democrat & Chronicle went from lauding his "ascension" to questioning his motives and asking what his departure will mean for the City of Rochester.

I'm not sure how to read this. I have nothing against the Mayor. I did not understand his sinking of Ren. Square or his plan to take over City Schools. I also don't think he's done anything notable to improve the City. He's been a pleasant guy, but he's done very little of substance and certainly nothing to have earned the incredibly fawning press coverage he got from the D&C.

Frankly, his legacy to Rochester may ultimately be that he sucessfully unloaded the Fast Ferry. Other than that, it hasn't been a memorable run. Maybe his term as Lt. Governor will lead to something more. Only time will tell.

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