Can't win 'em all

It's been a tough couple of days on the campaign trail. The week started out well enough with an adequate performance at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association candidate forum. I didn't have them dancing in the aisles but they weren't running for the Exits either so I'll take that as a positive. Wednesday was the rough day. It started with a pre-screening in front of a group that advocates affordable housing and health care for the economically disadvantaged. They wanted me to tell them I would provide more funding for a program that helps people make home repairs who are otherwise unable to afford it. They wanted me to tell them I would provide more funds for more police. More funds for indigent health care. Mo money, mo money, mo money! The problem is, I'm the finance guy. I know the answer that would have made them happy was "Yes, of course!" But I can't give that answer. The budget is different every year. I tried to explain the process; how the City Manager prepares the budget, the mayor reviews it and makes recommendations, etc, etc... I think they were stuck on "no I can't make those kinds of promises." Sometimes I feel like I'm in a bizarre episode of Jeopardy! I know my responses are correct, but Alex Trebeck keeps telling me I'm wrong. Alex: Mark Forsythe, you have control of the board. Me: I'll take "Social Issues" for $500 Alex. Alex: The answer is... This affirmative statement is given to a group of people who ask a candidate to guarantee them more funds for a specific program. Me: What is... I can't guarantee future budgetary decisions until I see what revenues are available? Alex: Ooooh. I'm sorry. The response we were looking for there was "What is Yes." Once again, that response... "What. Is. Yes." This whole honesty thing is tough when you're a politician. I won't pander. I won't lie. I freely share my opinions when asked. I'm not surprised though. This was totally expected. I knew going in that refusing to go with "politics as usual" was going to be a liability sometime. Doesn't mean I don't get discouraged sometimes. Oh well. Poor me. Boo hoo! Enough self pity. If my dad was still alive he'd tell me something to the effect of "quit feeling sorry for yourself and get back out there!" He would be right, as usual.