The Juan Manigualt campaign - a special comment

Countdown watchers will have an idea of what’s to come. It won’t be a gush.


Democracy Is Not A Spectator Sport

I’m really annoyed with Juan Manigault. I was very clear that my political efforts this year would be invested in forwarding the candidacy of John Edwards for President. I was nearly giddy that for the first time in my life, there was someone who believed as I believe and had a good shot at winning the office. I am soon to return to that effort. I will be in Iowa to aid in caucus efforts at the end of the year. There’s probably no harm done. Still…

It all seemed to start with a casual conversation with a friend of mine who was involved with Mayor Luecke’s re-election bid. While working an event on the west side – The African American Cultural Arts Festival - I met Juan Manigault. I suspect I asked my friend about the campaign and what he knew about Mr. Manigault. He told me there were some unanswered questions about his stewardship of a state agency charged with connecting citizens with decent jobs. He later furnished a copy of the only article (circa 2002) The South Bend Tribune has ever done on the subject.

I’m really annoyed with Juan Manigault. After being completely unsuccessful in my attempt to get the Tribune to follow up on their own story, in late July I began my own investigation. My friend pointed me in useful directions at a couple points, and the more I dug, the worse it smelled. Three and a half months later, it smells no better.

There were intermediate trigger points. Juan Manigualt’s Michiana Point of View piece claiming Mayor Luecke was bullshitting everyone really got me started. Juan Manigault’s feigned outrage at Mayor Luecke not taking out a full page ad announcing a couple minor procedural complaints in the most recent city audit got me started on my public records search which exposed Mr. Manigault’s abysmal stewardship.

Though I’ve had made occasional editorial comments, I have mostly related either documented facts or direct testimony of others. But now you get my rant.

Juan Manigault is either the most disingenuous or delusional person I’ve come across. It’s as though he’s modeled himself after George W. Bush. No dissent, no recognition of factual information is permitted. Both Juan and George seemed to have been failures at everything they’ve put their hands on. But while George has had Daddy to bail him out in the past, Juan has been left to his own devices.

I’m sure it’s true that Juan has flushed less of the taxpayer’s money down the toilet than George W., but that seems little consolation. Something approaching a couple million dollars is enough to get my attention.

Shame on the proud Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, for allowing this guy to carry their banner. This guy who trashes efforts of honest citizens trying to better our city, this guy who projects his own deficiencies on his opponent. This guy whose motto is perceptions are more important than facts, then goes to great pains to manipulate those perceptions while disparaging the facts. I know the Republican Party is better than this.

When Juan Manigualt loses his election next Tuesday, his old job will be gone, his severance package may be challenged, and maybe – just maybe – someone in authority might look at his past malfeasance.

Or not. But at the very least, the citizens of South Bend will have dodged a poison tipped bullet.

Hoping this is the last I have to say about this matter.

Don Wheeler