Welch: I'm not even near a loser ... at least till 2013

Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch says he's got no regrets about not running for St. Petersburg mayor, despite being tagged by our sister blog the Buzz as runner up loser of the week Sunday for not doing it.

Welch said he has serious measures with countywide effect to pursue, such as promoting rail and fighting off-shore drilling. "I’ve got my plate full," he said.

But his refrain in the recent campaign was "talk to me in 2013," and that might be revised to 2011.

That's when he will look at how redistricting changed legislative districts and how the field for mayor is shaping up. He wouldn't bite on speculation, such as whether fellow Democrat Kathleen Ford's loss makes it easier for him to run in 2013.

"I think we let the guy get inaugurated and become the mayor before we start talking about running against him," Welch said.

David DeCamp, Times staff writer

Comments

[True Blue]

Not if Karl has anything to say about it.

[Or...]

Kriseman

[The next mayor]

I'd bet a lot of $ the next mayor, taking office in 2014, is named Ken Welch, Rick Kriseman, or Karl Nurse. Preferably in that order.

[Former City Council candidate Corsetti considering party-switch to run against Pinellas Commish Morroni.]

Former City Council candidate Corsetti considering party-switch to run against Pinellas Commish Morroni.

http://bit.ly/2Qgggl

[love them loyal Dems!]

Welch (the great Orator of Useless Ordinance) had his chance and he wuss’d it. It was the best chance he would have had, and it would have been a cake-walk... but he couldn’t muster up enough stones to place his faux political acumen under public scrutiny. Besides, his family and friends would have had to give up their sweet inside jobs. He’s not only a loser, he a huge loser. And save any speculation on whether he, Nurse, or Kriseman would take on Mayor Foster... they all shat on Ford and backed Foster behind the scenes.

[just a little bit of a loser...]

Kriseman was not a game changer for the Mayor's race. He maybe would have edged out Wagman for fourth place and left fewer votes to go around for Bennett and Ford.

Welch is a loser because when you are called to leadership you rise to the honor and opportunity. Playing it safe ALL the time? No honor in that. Welch should go back to being a bean counter like he was before he was elected. Today's times needs real men willing to use political capital to tackle big issues. Take your eyes off your paycheck for once.

[Cindy]

If you saw Commissioner Welch take on the oil lobby and Senator Hairodopoulus in Tallahassee last month, you'll realize what leadership is all about. Thank's Commissioner!

http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/ken-welch-offshore-drilling-not-the-answer

[love them loyal Dems!]

If you saw Commissioner Welch feign relevancy while playing water boy to Senator Hairodopoulus in Tallahassee last month on an issue he has no control over, you'll realize what being a self-serving irrelevant lackey is all about. Thank's Commissioner, for proving your lack of nerve when you couldn’t muster the courage to run for Mayor of St Pete... or back the Dem who did.

http://www.lovethemloyaldems.com

[Cynical Idealist]

5:42 & 9:13....

You have to learn how to spell Haridopolos....

Otherwise, we're going to think you're both the same moron for taking opposing sides of the same issue.

[Former City Council candidate Corsetti considering party-switch to run against Pinellas Commish Morroni.]

Former City Council candidate Corsetti considering party-switch to run against Pinellas Commish Morroni.

http://bit.ly/2Qgggl

[Nick]

I watched the debate. Welch owned Haridopolos. Not a great accomplishment, given the Senator's lack of vision or depth, but he was owned regardless.

[kciN]

I’m certain the big oil boys start a’shakin in their boots at the mere mention of Welch’s name. I imagine it goes something like this...

Big Oil Guy #1: “Hey you guys, did you here that Welch doesn’t support us?

Big Oil Guy #2: “Awww, that’s too bad... I really like their grape juice too!”

KT’s faux politic acumen was exposed when he didn’t have the guts to run for Mayor of St. Pete... and he spends too much time reading and believing his own press. And his self-proclaimed political prowess edges closer and closer to Corsetti’s as each day passes.

[Losers Club]

Ever notice that the "acumen" guy and the "Love them Loyal Dems" guy are constantly biting at the ankles of Welch, Kriseman, Nurse, Heller, Long, well, EVERY successful Democrat? Why don't you losers join the True Blue fan club, and howl at the moon together? Youre REALLY making a differnce. LOL!

[Losers Club (aka: Pinellas Dem Party)]

Ever notice that Welch, Kriseman, Nurse, Heller, Long, well, EVERY Dino in Pinellas are constantly backing Republicans... then send their dopey staffers to blog in their defense? Why don't you Dinos join the Republican Party and be done with it? You’re REALLY NOT making a difference. POS’s!

[AKA]

11:16 aka Love them Loyal Dems aka every Jim Donelon clone with a Kucinich complex. Why don't YOU join the losers party? Oh, sorry, seems you already have. Excuse me.

The Democrats are fine without you. Really, don't give it a second thought. We'll keep electing progessive, savvy Democrats, and you'll keep blogging to find a sense of purpose. Good luck with that!

[love them loyal Dems!]

Every one of the above mentioned Dinos failed to step to the plate in what could have been a game-changing event in Pinellas politics. First they shat on a known entity (Ford) in favor of an unknown Dino (Wagman)... and came in forth with that pick. Then they shat on Ford, the Party, and the Dem voting base in St. Pete... when they failed to back the Dem voter’s nominee, and chose instead to back the Republican behind the scenes. The Pinellas County Stonewall Executive Committee (formerly the PCDEC) did the same thing when they backed Wagman, then tried to fake support for Ford following the embarrassing results of the primary. The PCSEC Chairman (a self-professed political genius) failed at his charge as well, when he failed to publically call for local elected Dinos to support the Dem nominee. Now a few Dino hacks are suddenly endorsing a sure loss in Nina Hayden only because she’s AA, and they want to look like the really care about the AA community. Then again, the PCSEC is broke, looking to close its headquarters, can’t get a quorum at their meetings, and has about $67.32 in the bank.... oh yeah... you folks have one smooooth operation going on there!

[~]

I think DINOS are hot!

[Peter the crook]

And I'll run Kens campaign for Mayor. HA!

[Obvious]

So not only does Love Them Loyal Dems hate on elected Democrats, but he's homophobic and racist as well. Figures.

[None of the Above]

I've said it before but apparently it needs repeating...

The only thing Progressive about Kenny is his waistline...

And apparently, he has pearls where his stones should be...just sayin'

[Abuse Alert!]

It's time to start taking bets on who these morons are. I'm thinking it's either Patrick Schorsch or Jammie Bennett. Anyone else?

... and Welch is a loser...

[Images from Election Day 2009.]

Images from Election Day 2009.

http://bit.ly/1RX8F8

[Protect Taxpayers]

Welch would not have beaten Foster in this election and he won't four years from now either.

[10 things I think I think (for the last time) about St. Petersburg's elections]

10 things I think I think (for the last time) about St. Petersburg's elections.

http://bit.ly/4kXSBY

[Was there a problem with the Times' polling numbers in the Mayoral Race? One of their reporters says so.]

Was there a problem with the Times' polling numbers in the Mayoral Race? One of their reporters says so.

http://bit.ly/4kXSBY