While still not articulating a single reason why he should remain in office, Mayor Carlos Alvarez has instead launched a desperate personal attack against Norman Braman.
From the Herald Naked Politics blog:
Mayor "Alvarez reminded listeners of his background as a police officer. He defended his administration, accused recall supporters of distorting the facts and attacked Miami businessman Norman Braman, who has orchestrated the recall effort.
"Se está pasando como una persona del pueblo cuando francamente del pueblo no tiene un pelo," Alvarez said -- which roughly translates as, "He's trying to pass himself off as common folk, but he doesn't have a hair on his head of common folk."
Who then is the true "man of the people," Norman Braman or Carlos Alvarez?
Consider the following:
Norman Braman drives around in a luxury automobile paid for from his own pocket. Carlos Alvarez drives a BMW 500i Gran Turismo (along with two other taxpayer funded cars), the money to pay for it comes from the pockets of the people. The people also pay for his gasoline and insurance.
Norman Braman cruises in his luxury yacht paid for from the earnings of his businesses. Carlos Alvarez cruises in a boat borrows from the Metro-Dade Police marine patrol, a boat paid for by the people.
Norman Braman has supporters working at the polls that are either volunteers or paid by a political action committee. Carlos Alvarez has supporters working at the polls that are transit workers and other county employees whose salaries are paid for by the people.
Norman Braman's employees take vacation time and travel off the clock. Carlos Alvarez' former Chief of Staff wanted to travel to Panama so he could moonlight as a security consultant, he did so on the people's time and expense.
Norman Braman makes decisions on whether his employees should get a raise based on the profitability of his business. Carlos Alvarez decides to give a raise to county employees amidst a worldwide recession and dips into the wallets of the people.
Norman Braman fires inefficient employees who fiscally mismanage his business interests. Carlos Alvarez keeps George Burgess around and pays him $422,000 to mismanage the people's assets.
Finally, Norman Braman made money in private sector business. Carlos Alvarez' current and future six figure lifetime pensions are paid for by the people.
Undoubtedly, when it comes to having his hand inside our wallets, Carlos Alvarez is truly a man of the people.
