Whipped Cream Difficulties

The Statesman threw the weight of their coveted editorial board endorsement behind Randi Shade. In other news, there’s a crying need for a <SARCASM> tag in HTML.

Meanwhile, the Austin Chronicle has, not surprisingly, thrown the weight of their coveted editorial board endorsement behind Kathie Tovo. I believe that and three dollars will get her a large coffee at some hip local coffee shop.

(I think the AusChron endorsement is probably more beneficial for Tovo than the Statesman‘s would have been. At this point, though, I don’t think it matters; I’m pretty sure the people who are going to vote have made up their minds, and the people who could possibly be swayed by these endorsements are unlikely to turn out for the election.)

The Shade endorsement is interesting, though, in light of this lengthy article from Sunday’s Statesman about the possibility of a Tovo win:

The race’s outcome could have consequences beyond election day — subtly shifting the dynamics on the council, possibly making it tougher for [Mayor Lee] Leffingwell to push an agenda, and shaping next year’s race for mayor, according to interviews with two dozen people who follow city issues.

Basically, the Statesman depicts Leffingwell, member Mike Martinez, and Shade as a core voting block that allows Leffingwell to push his agenda; without Shade as a reliable vote, Leffingwell’s position becomes more difficult.

What is Leffingwell looking to push?

In November 2012 , for example, he wants to put to a public vote a plan for urban rail and several changes to city government, including adding district representation on the City Council.

Hmmmmm.