Holy Mackerel!

A Sam Yoon story not about fundraising? What is going on at the Globe? It's like they want to stay in business or something.

Did you hear Sam Yoon Yesterday?

We interviewed Mayoral candidate and Boston City Councilor At-Large Sam Yoon on LeftAhead yesterday. I mostly deferred to Mike on this show, letting him ask the bulk of the questions, since he actually lives in Boston.

I don't find it useful or all that relevant to make endorsements anymore, but I will say that Sam Yoon makes a compelling case for the need for change. The city's had 16 years of Mayah Menino and what is there to show for it? Indeed, the city's gone backwards in the 2000s. The rate at which kids are killing each other and failing out of school is just unacceptable. So, especially if you live in Boston, give the show a listen and see if Sam Yoon is the candidate for you.

Globe's Weird Yoon Fixation

Why is it that any story the Globe actually prints about Mayoral candidate Sam Yoon is about how Yoon goes outside Boston to raise money? It's actually quite simple: Menino has a gigantic war chest and can raise basically unlimited sums. Few can raise serious money within Boston who challenge Menino because Menino's, um, powerful. Yoon's had some success raising from within Korean American circles around the country because he'd be their first major Mayoral politician. Meanwhile, Menino's tremendous fundraising advantage probably includes more total funds from outside Boston than Yoon's raised altogether, inside or out. No one gives a flying frak about that.

Where's the problem here? Why the obsession? Will the Globe actually print anything about the issues on this race, even on a single candidate? Inquiring minds want to know, but the answers are never going to be found at the Boston Globe.

Blaming Menino

The candidates are doing it and, honestly, it seems like they kind of have a point. Sorry Mr. Mayah, but it's tough to explain that one away.

Yoon's Run "Bankrolled?"

Poor choice of headline. First off, Yoon's going to be woefully behind in raising money compared to Menino's basically unlimited potential.

Secondly, the Globe compares in state vs. out of state fundraising for both candidates. If the Globe wants to measure local support through fundraising, shouldn't it be in city vs. out of city? What the heck is the difference if money for a Boston race comes from Newton or Seattle?

Yoon's out of state fundraising is largely coming from Asian Americans - especially, according to the Globe, the Korean American community. Honestly, that's awesome. There's such a small sum of major politicians elected from Asian-American communities, even across America, that it only makes sense these communities would raise money to get people in their communities elected. Other minority communities do similar activities in attempt to help level the playing field, even if it's only by a fraction of an inch (as it would be in Yoon's case, compared to the millions Menino will be able to spend). The bottom line is better for someone to donate funds to get someone in their minority community elected from halfway across the country than a business hack in Newton or Milton donating funds to the establishment pick for who knows what. At least that way you know it's for some actual altruistic reasons and not to get some liquor license renewed.

It's doubtful Ryan's Take will take a formal position in the Mayor's race this term, other than to say it's both exciting to see some real competition as well as doubtful any of Menino's competition has a shot - in large part because there's now two or three people already running, Yoon being the potential third. Menino certainly made his mark on the city and it would be nice for some eventual fresh blood - and Yoon could be that someday - but whether this is the season for change at Government Center is in some serious doubt. In reality, most of that depends on a few, choice mumbles.


Extra Credit: Anyone want to place odds on whether or not this story was pushed by one of Yoon's rivals? If so, whom?