In a move that probably she didn't want to make but ultimately may have had to, Palm Springs Council member and Mayoral candidate Ginny Foat strove to separate herself from embattled Mayor Steve Pougnet today. In an interview with the Desert Sun Editorial Board, Foat expressed anger at Pougnet and his ties to developer Richard Meaney. She also expressed frustration at her inability to unearth more about the relationship between Meaney and the Mayor which appears to be the target of a multi-agency corruption probe..
As I previously wrote, Ms. Foat's campaign had all the earmarks of a coronation at first. Despite his troubles, Mayor Steve Pougnet remained popular and Ms. Foat seemed to be running as an extension of a Pougnet third term. Then came the September 1st raid of City Hall by the Feds. How could a candidate continue to tout all the "progress" being made if some of that was fodder for a corruption inquiry? The wheels were getting a little persnickety on the Foat bus and I am sure there were some backroom discussions on whether or not to attack the Mayor.
That is not to say this strategy is without risk.On the one hand, Mr. Pougnet still has his supporters who deem any criticism gossip or speculation. They may be upset that by expressing anger with Mayor Pougnet, Ms. Foat has gone over to the dark side and is no longer a "team" player. Foat runs the risk as being perceived as kicking the Mayor while he is down.
On the other hand, many who have been critical of Mayor Pougnet since the spring will see M.s Foat's "Road to Damascus" conversion as being too little, too late. Some may also wonder whether or not if the Foat campaign has done any recent polling and found her support was neing threatened by her being an incumbent associated with the Mayor. It is a gambit that may wind up hurting her.
I blogged the other day the ground is shifting in the Mayor's race. Today it moved a little more.
Steve Kelly can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcsting.com
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