I have to hand it to Knox County Election Commission Bob Bowman.
He’s had two years to think about how to get rid of (now former) Administrator of Elections Greg Mackay.
And he made sure to cover all their asses when he did. He made sure he's really gone this time. He made sure it wasn't about politics, but rather state law. Or at least how he interprets it. Because that's what good lawyers do.
(Of course, if Mackay sues . . . . well that’s another story.)
But, he made sure to also cover the commission on the application process. Because even if Mackay does reapply for the position, he’s not getting an interview.
No. Not like March 2009. You see last time 45 people applied and 12 got interviews.
This time only three get interviews – the top three selections that get the most support out of the five commissioners.
Sure, Mackay – if he applies – will get support from Cameron Brooks and Cassandra Stuart – the two Democrats. But don’t think for a minute that the three Republicans are ranking him any higher than No. 4 on their lists.
He’s gone.
The Republicans made sure of it when they gave Paul Crilly the boot because he jumped ship in 2009 and voted for the Democrat. They made sure to replace him with someone who was expected to vote for the Republican.
Oh well.
I don’t care. I don’t vote anyway.
I am, however, curious about one thing.
You see the commissioners – after they ousted Mackay gave his right-hand-man, Scott Frith, the gig. For now anyway. And Frith will apply for the job, just like he did two years ago.
Oddly enough (actually it isn’t odd), Mackay hired Frith, a Republican. And don’t let anyone tell you he didn’t do it to protect his own ass.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He knew this would happen one day. So, you might as well hire someone you like and prep them to do what you do. (And Scott was second on the list in the interview process back then. I won’t debate whether the list was stacked.)
But, and this is what gets me.
Why didn’t Frith, go into Mackay’s office as he was packing his crap and tell him: “Hey, man. Don’t leave. You’re my new deputy administrator.”
Ah, the politics of it all.
"Why didn’t Frith, go into Mackay’s office as he was packing his crap and tell him: “Hey, man. Don’t leave. You’re my new deputy administrator.”
ReplyDeleteBecause it was payback. Frith wants the job and he had to play ball to be in the running. There can be only one deputy administrator. Frith is smart enough to keep his safety net.
Mackay cut his own throat many times. He thought he was invincible. Mackay played too cute and then spiked the ball when he made his big plays because he never thought down the road Crilly might go. He did.
Mackay chose poorly. If you want greasy politics look under the hood at the election commission. This is cyclical. What goes around comes around. Mackay earned it.
"If you want greasy politics look under the hood at the election commission. This is cyclical."
ReplyDeleteHeh. I wish I had written this line.
actually frith has to apply for the job he has now. then i guess he gets to keep it for two years. so if he hired frank then the commission would not hire him. plus if they go from the outside and hire someone else scott can go back to deputy making a sweet check with awesome medical. Why rock the boat.
ReplyDeleteMackay has known for a long time that he would be gone eventually. He didn't "cut his throat" or anything else. It didn't matter WHAT he did; this was political.
ReplyDeleteI doubt Frith gets the job, BTW. Too many folks will apply on it who don't have ties to Greg, and who are much closer to the Republican good ole boys than Scott.
BTW, I would love to see what happens if Greg sues. But I don't think he will. We's talented enough to find another job and smart enough to want to get on with his life.
ReplyDeleteWho cares who gets the job? It's going to be a downgrade unless a miracle happens.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, let's make this as ludicrous as possible. Who's for Mike Ragsdale for Election Commissioner?
No?
What about Hutch?
...
Mike Mitchell?
Seriously, this is hands-down the dumbest and most blatantly political move I've ever seen in this county. Well done.
"I doubt Frith gets the job, BTW. Too many folks will apply on it who don't have ties to Greg, and who are much closer to the Republican good ole boys than Scott."
ReplyDeleteThat's my guess, too.
"BTW, I would love to see what happens if Greg sues. But I don't think he will. We's talented enough to find another job and smart enough to want to get on with his life."
He'll step back and think about it. A lawsuit is possible. Don't think Mackay won't join the rest of the Dems that got ousted years ago. But, I don't know. Because, he'll get another job. Maybe not immediately. But soon.
"Seriously, this is hands-down the dumbest and most blatantly political move I've ever seen in this county. Well done."
I'd say: "I told you so." But . . . .
i love the fact that you only publish what you want to. which include none of my previous comments.
ReplyDelete"i love the fact that you only publish what you want to. which include none of my previous comments."
ReplyDeletePublishing is instant here. I just checked the "spam" box and all I got was gibberish from Asia. Unless that was you, I haven't deleted anything on this thread.
Internet Explorer does not work well here. It will look like you posted but…..not.
ReplyDeletePost here with Firefox and it will work.
The comment about mckay almost breaking up friths marriage being the last straw?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous RE: Mackay-Frith marriage nonsense -
ReplyDeleteI don't believe a word of it, but if it were true? That'd be HILARIOUS. Ol' Mackin' Mackay showin' us young bucks how it's done, pimp hat and velvet cape a-rockin'.
But just like what I'm saying is fiction, so too is any nonsense about Mackay "almost breaking up" anyone's marriage. But at least if Mackay gets upset about the fictitious characterization I posited, he knows who to talk to.
In your case, it's just the unsourced words of an anonytard too scared to make such an accusation, Probably one that thinks their anonytard status protects 'em from legal retribution.
I hope you keep thinking that. :-)