BRACK: Mayoral ad wars show two different kinds of candidates

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  | The ad wars in the Nov. 5 Charleston mayor’s race have started.  So far, they offer vivid depictions of the differences of the two top candidates, incumbent John Tecklenburg and councilman Mike Seekings.

(Yes, there are four other candidates in the race but they won’t be much of a presence in other than obligatory references in news stories; they’re not really raising the money they need to spread their messages with impact on television.)

One of Tecklenburg’s opening ads is energetic and filled with information of how he’s working to improve Charleston.  Another ad shows him, in shot after shot, engaging and interacting with dozens of people from all walks of life. Another 60-second ad blends accomplishments with energy and several images of supporters.  Ad One | Ad Two.

While Seekings’ 30-second ad has upbeat music, it portrays outlines his accomplishments through the lens of the lone runner who invites people to run with him and to do more to tackle flooding, traffic and development. At the end of the ad, he runs alone towards a glowing sun.  Watch the ad.

These ads couldn’t show more starkly different approaches to politics and, perhaps, governance.  One is of the guy who actively works with people to try to make differences in their lives. The other shows a loner who promises change that seemingly he alone can make.  

Tecklenburg has been trying to fix flooding during his first term as mayor.  He’s started a dialogue with Dutch experts to figure out how their Lowcountry ingenuity can help our Lowcountry problems.  He also has pushed for more restrictions on development, only to be thwarted by grumbling councilmen like Bill Moody and Keith Waring who seems to want to embarrass the mayor at every turn.  Nerf councilmen like Gary White (who is running for mayor) and Harry Griffin (who didn’t have the courage to) concocted attacks and wasted tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a probe of spending by the mayor’s office, only to find virtually nothing to take home to celebrate.  

We don’t remember Seekings, throughout most of his nine years on city council, being a major voice against overdevelopment or on fixing flooding. Now during the race for mayor, both issues apparently have Seekings’ attention in campaign messaging filled with somewhat haunting images.

So far, the mayor’s race seems to be a battle between the “we” — a candidate who reaches out to work with people — versus “I,” the candidate running alone to fix the system. You get to choose in seven weeks.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, we talked again last week’s issue to state Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton, about ferrying supplies to Treasure Cay in the Bahamas.  He’s still at it — when the weather cooperates. You can read more here.  

And if you’re still interested in donating money to provide aid to the devastated area, here are some ideas:

• Herbkersman said the Knights of Columbus in Charleston, which filled a trailer full of supplies and took to Florida, is able to get things to those who need help through the Catholic church. 
• Local Rotary clubs are coordinating cash donations with Rotary clubs on the islands. 
• Water Mission, based in North Charleston, is sending water purification machines that can clean thousands of gallons of water daily.  It’s matching donations dollar for dollar up to $1 million.
• Charitable donations of money also is fueling disaster relief.  Other organizations raising money to help victims include the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Americares.

Andy Brack’s new book, “We Can Do Better, South Carolina,” is now available for $14.99 in paperback via Amazon.

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