I received this text on Wednesday afternoon: I’m at Big Mike’s and the Gemini guy just walked in!  And were it not for ThinkDenton, I’d never had known who he was. Then only a few minutes later, this came across my phone: Haha Bob Clifton just walked in… Looks like they’re having a secret meeting. Knowing that the sender of these texts, Callie Windle, is quite the adventurous soul, I challenged her to approach them, saying she was looking for a story for this site and get the latest scoop on the upcoming election.  Here’s what came of that – local citizen journalism at its finest…

Callie Windle – 05.05.10

I had run to Big Mike’s to snatch some caffeinated courage before a final presentation—an unfinished final presentation, mind you. As I sat at a table stuffing sheet protectors, I watched Eli Gemini walk in and sit down, only to be followed by Bob Clifton a few minutes later. I was faced with a dilemma: finish stuffing sheet protectors and go over my notes, or interrogate the candidates, these local celebrities only a few feet away? With a little push from Kevin, I made my decision. The result? A few pre-election “sound bites” from Clifton (as well as a board game reference!) and some insight into Gemini’s coming year.

MAYORAL CANDIDATE BOB CLIFTON: “WIN OR LOSE, I WIN!”

CW: So, Bob, how do you feel about Saturday?

BC: I feel very comfortable that it will come after Friday.

CW: (Laughter) You’re not at all excited?

BC: No, I’m not excited. Why should I be excited?

CW: What are your plans after Saturday?

BC: Sunday, that’s what comes next, right? (Laughter) …Well, if I win, it’ll be a whole new page in the history of Denton.

CW: How do you feel about the campaign this year?

BC: It’s the most unusual campaign I’ve ever seen or been in. …It’s reached a whole other plane. I can’t explain it. It’s just weird.

CW: So are you glad that it will be over?

BC: No, no I’m not glad. Campaigns are tiring, but they’re also challenging. And in reality, they’re also a lot of fun. You’ve got to have fun. …Win or lose, I win. Now there’s a sound bite for you (laughter). Kind of like playing Monopoly.

(Clifton turns to a girl standing at a nearby table): Wouldn’t you agree, that’s the best policy? Win or lose, I win? (Girl nods.) See, everybody agrees with me. Now if I can just get them to go vote!

PLACE 5 CANDIDATE ELI GEMINI COMPARES HIMSELF TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN

CW: What are you thinking about Saturday, Eli?

EG: Well, first of all, I don’t expect to win. (Laughter) I actually wasn’t planning on running this year. I was going to run next year, but I was approached by some people to run against Pete Kamp.  …Last year was really just a trial run, to see what kind of paperwork I’d need to do…. I really just want to convey a lot of the citizens’ misrepresentation that they feel.

I think I’ve established a reputation because when I express an opinion, I have the facts and reports to back it up.

CW: How has your campaign experience been?

EG: (Laughter) Well, it can get ugly. …But all those medals I had—you read about that, right, when Kevin put it in?—those were all from competitions where I had worked really hard to accomplish something. So I’m not the type of person to not compete.

CW: It sounds like you’re optimistic for the future.

EG: My inspiration is Abraham Lincoln, actually. I think he ran ten times for public office before being elected. So I just keep telling myself, “Only eight more times!”

The City Election is this Saturday, May 8^th.