Nice guys often finish last in politics
Dugan had to motivate another base, traditional Democrat voters. He failed miserably.
Former Municipal Court Judge and Army veteran Pat Dugan is a nice guy.
As baseball manager Leo Durocher once observed, “Nice guys finish last.”
Dugan finished last, or second, Tuesday to incumbent District Attorney Larry “Let ‘em Loose” Krasner.
It was not a shock.
Incumbents usually have the upper hand. Off-year elections, such as this one, suffer from low turnout.
For Krasner, he benefits from low turnout because progressives are his base, and they troop to the polls like sea gulls go after french fries.
To win, Dugan had to motivate another base, traditional Democrat voters. He failed.
As Krasner has done in the past, he refused debates and pretty much ignored his opponent. Four years ago, in the general election, he totally ignored Republican (for the purpose of the election) defense attorney Chuck Peruto, who, to my great surprise and disappointment, let Krasner get away with it.
In this cycle, Dugan did not smoke Krasner out. He barely moved the needle on the election meter, taking satisfaction in portraying himself as something like Krasner Firm, but more willing to prosecute. It was not firm enough.
Dugan said he was the real reformer, and talked about restorative justice, and diversion policies.
Problem. That is Krasner’s playing field.
The voters already had that. Dugan seemed shy about claiming the law and order banner. Had he done that he might have ignited the citizens who believe that crime is out of control, even if it isn’t. They should have been a juicy target.
I’m talking about getting elected, not winning a debate, especially a debate the other guy won’t give you. Candidates are allowed to exaggerate. More than a few lie.
In the primary four years ago, former Carlos Vega went after Krasner, putting in the limelight the families of crime victims who felt pushed aside by Krasner. Vega brought some to a news conference on the sidewalk in front of the D.A.’s office on a freezing morning.
But Vega didn’t have enough cash or muscle.
Dugan had the support, in cash and volunteers, of several unions.
It could have made a difference.
It didn’t.
Dugan didn’t give lethargic voters a reason to get off the couch.
