But then he goes on to say: “With all of the high powered endorsements, we may not be able to get a clear picture of what voters really think. Looking at the endorsement list, it seems a lot like the list of library bond supporters. If the millage fails, will it be attributed to the list of supporters? If the millage prevails, can it be taken as a clear expression of support for the efficacy of the AAATA?”

I thought this was a clever way of dodging the issue, and can understand it in the context of potentially losing the support of his ardent clique of cheerleaders if he had come out and said he supported the millage. Also, I think Sally Hart Peterson coming off the fence at the last minute and stating she was in support of the millage was curious, but understandable because she didn’t want to anger the supporters of ‘Better Transit Now’, many of whom are Jack Eaton’s supporters. Or maybe Sally could tell which way the political wind was blowing. I prefer real leadership, which I take to mean you take a principled stand, state it publicly and strongly, stick by it, and be prepared to defend it. Jack may be gun-shy about revealing his true political opinions and endorsements, since he has been burned by them before, once stating in 2010 “I without reservation support Pat Lesko,”, and we all know how that turned out…

Back in November 2012, Jack Eaton had this to say about the Library Bond and Arts Millage: “I think the defeat of both the library bond and the arts millage should be taken as a forewarning on the local vision of an expanded transit system supported by many of the same people. Are these leaders capable of learning from their experience with the arts millage and library bond?”

Apparently so, Jack, apparently so.