San Diego - December 6, 2012 - Bob Nelson, BNA Communications Founder, reflects on former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. To read the entire article visit: Reflections on Jerry Sanders: 'I Would Walk Through Fire for Him Any Day' By Liam Dillon.
Ronald Reagan's political strategist, Stu Spencer, advised San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson not to run for governor, saying, "California is ungovernable." When Councilwoman Toni Atkins pondered taking over as interim mayor until Jerry Sanders took office, I said, "Don't do it. This place is coming apart at the seams and there is no upside for you." Atkins, now the second-most important member of the state Assembly, ignored me just as Wilson ignored Spencer. She governed the city with grace, intelligence and class. The moral here may be that political leaders should ignore political consultants in these matters. It's above our pay grade.
Ronald Reagan's political strategist, Stu Spencer, advised San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson not to run for governor, saying, "California is ungovernable." When Councilwoman Toni Atkins pondered taking over as interim mayor until Jerry Sanders took office, I said, "Don't do it. This place is coming apart at the seams and there is no upside for you." Atkins, now the second-most important member of the state Assembly, ignored me just as Wilson ignored Spencer. She governed the city with grace, intelligence and class. The moral here may be that political leaders should ignore political consultants in these matters. It's above our pay grade.
I was introduced to Jerry Sanders in his first days as a mayoral candidate. While he did not know me, I knew something unpublished about him. In 2004, Sanders and Steve Cushman agreed to urge a Union-Tribune editorial against a federal ban on same-sex marriage. Before the meeting was set, the U-T editorialized against the ban. But far before he was a candidate for office, Sanders stood ready to use his considerable clout to speak out for equal rights. I knew it, will never forget it and I would walk through fire for him any day.
Then he became mayor. Using a mystical combination of disciplined focus, raw power, compassion, intelligence and a delightfully foul mouth, Jerry held this city together with spitballs and paperclips. Seven years later we are healed at the broken places, and a stronger community because of his service.
I am grateful for the various civic duties entrusted to me by Mayor Sanders, but behind the scenes it has not been all roses. While he and I have very few differences on policy, I have not been a fan of his administration's handling of process. But he got an undoable job done despite seven years of my private kvetching. I continue as a great fan of Jerry Sanders, no longer just because of the equality stuff, but because he had the right stuff when San Diego needed it most.
Bob Nelson is a Unified Port of San Diego commissioner and has served on numerous local and national boards and commissions. He runs BNA Communications, an advertising and public relations firm. Read the full article online at voiceofsandiego.org.
Then he became mayor. Using a mystical combination of disciplined focus, raw power, compassion, intelligence and a delightfully foul mouth, Jerry held this city together with spitballs and paperclips. Seven years later we are healed at the broken places, and a stronger community because of his service.
I am grateful for the various civic duties entrusted to me by Mayor Sanders, but behind the scenes it has not been all roses. While he and I have very few differences on policy, I have not been a fan of his administration's handling of process. But he got an undoable job done despite seven years of my private kvetching. I continue as a great fan of Jerry Sanders, no longer just because of the equality stuff, but because he had the right stuff when San Diego needed it most.
Bob Nelson is a Unified Port of San Diego commissioner and has served on numerous local and national boards and commissions. He runs BNA Communications, an advertising and public relations firm. Read the full article online at voiceofsandiego.org.
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