Watson comes out ahead of non-story

It isn't a non-story. (0.00 / 0)

It may or may not decide the race (FWIW, I'm not eligible to vote in the District 8 race), but any criminal charge, involving any candidate, is relevant and to be expected to come out in a political race.

Public office is about more than issues, even though stances on the issues are important.  It is also about character and charges like this and what candidates have to say about them are relevant to voters and should be relevant to them.

This may be some campaign's smear, but it isn't simply an ideological hit job.  Honestly, all of the candidates in the open District 8 race share a preponderance of values about the City's future, although each would have their own special contribution to the City Council.  Nobody has chosen to make hay of the fact that Watson is gay either, something that would make headlines in "less civilized" parts of Colorado.

Darrell Watson does have a lot to offer District 8, as he is a rare individual who bridges the divide between the Districts downtown urban professional loft dwellers with his background as a financial professional, and its North Denver African American community. 

Nobody expects a candidate to be perfect.  Most urban Denverites also know, although Watson had the grace not to mention the issue, that the legal system is quick to criminalize the actions of a black man like Watson, even when they may be reluctant to do so, for example, in the case of white upper middle class teens like those in the latest Castle Rock nude pictures scandal.  But, warts really are warts, they aren't love spots.  And, it is appropriate that they should be evaluated by voters rather than by insiders deciding what news is or is not fit to print.

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by: ohwilleke @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 10:59:13 AM CDT

Thanks, Post... (0.00 / 0)

for screwing up what should have been a simple story to report. Their first line: "A Denver City Council candidate pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in 2003 after being accused of hitting a child, records show."

The rest of the story it's "spanking". Or was there some other point the Post is trying to make?

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by: Zappatero @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 11:53:16 AM CDT

Watson (0.00 / 0)

In the Black community, this is not a non story. I have noticed on this sight that Watson has been called a Black leader numerous times and yet the majority of the Black community has never heard of him. Is this another attempt by whites to anoint a black leader of their choicing? And by the way, who are the white leaders? I stumbled on this site months ago and I would not be surprised to learn that I am the only black person that reads this sight. I'd be curious to find out if there are more of us. I wonder if there are any Latinos on this sight also.

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by: unifics @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 22:18:26 PM CDT

Not sure you are right. (0.00 / 0)

Could you point me to what you are talking about?
I think of Darrell as being a leader, as evidenced by his being a former President of the Whittier Neighborhood Association, a chair of the Bias in Policing Task Force, having sat on the Democratic Party Legislative Committee, the land use planning board, etc... but where do you see anyone calling him a 'black' leader?
The only people who are going to be 'annointing' anybody are the voters of the 8th district, but I think your racial comment is way off base. You should meet Darrell's staff sometime. Darrell's message appeals to many people of all races. I am a white guy, but go ahead and try to say the same about John McBride, Wanda James, Lisha Gallegos, or dozens of other people who help the campaign.
Your comment is particularly funny to me, because while you were typing it, Darrell was at a party for someone he respects deeply who is the last person in the world anyone would try to label as an anonymous white guy.

Also, the "I stumbled across this site months ago" is a funny thing for you to say seeing as your account is only a day old, but maybe that is true. Perhaps you have us confused with another site where they are calling him a 'black leader'

Finally, yes there are other people of color at this site.

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by: Aaron Silverstein @ Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 09:02:01 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

In response to your query, (0.00 / 0)

yes, there are Latinos and Latinas on this site. One of the most prolific posters on here goes by the name of Luis. But, since you've been stumbling through here, perhaps you missed his diaries, which appear almost daily.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

As to annointing Watson as a "black leader", I'm afraid I don't see that in the story here. Could you provide a link to what you are referring to?

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by: Pager @ Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 12:43:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Re: (0.00 / 0)

The account is new but anyone can look at the site as I have for a while. You can not respond without an account. I stand by my statements.

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by: unifics @ Sat Mar 17, 2007 at 15:36:33 PM CDT