As a strategy, it just might work in an off-year election where a core group of anti-Lens true believers could be enough to carry the mayoral day. But Kathleen Ford’s debate no-show gambit–lamely characterized as untimely “conflicts”–is also this: an affront to the St. Petersburg electorate.
The primary election is barely five weeks away. Voters have been known to make up their minds at the last minute. There are critical issues besides the Pier’s fate. And Ford chooses to sit on an ostensible lead over incumbent Mayor Bill Foster and former state Rep. Rick Kriseman?
Her approach should be seen as presumptive, arrogant and insulting. However, it’s only an insult if it’s perceived as such, and it only a losing strategy if there’s a big enough turnout of non-Ford fans to matter.