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Catching up: A portrait of the Vancouver Rahm Emanuel

September 7th, 2010 · 23 Comments

Other blogs posted links to the Vancouver magazine story I did about Mike Magee Mayor Gregor Robertson’s chief of staff, back in August while I was on vacation.

So you may have seen this already, but just in case, here it is.

Magee is definitely the strongest, most go-to chief of staff I can remember seeing or hearing about at city hall. Although Daniel Fontaine worked closely with Sam Sullivan (he was actually the one who came up with the concept EcoDensity) and they were a tightly co-ordinated team, he was never the deal-maker and power-people wrangler that Magee is.

Geoff Meggs, now a councillor, told me while I was researching this piece that the chief of staff roles were really divided up among three different people — him, Stephen Learey, and Vanessa Geary — while Larry Campbell was in office. Magee has really centralized the chief of staff role to himself.

Janet Fraser in Philip Owen’s office saw her role as completely different from what we see now in chiefs of staff. And Gordon Campbell relied on Ken Dobell for advice and muscle, not his staff.

Some might see that as a good thing — makes the mayor’s office far more effective. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next non-Vision administration, whenever that arrives, finds someone similar for the role. But it obviously has its downside. People wonder who’s really running the show. And some don’t like Magee’s Rahm Emanuel (the famously abrasive Barack Obama staffer) style.

I have to say I honestly don’t know, when it comes to who’s in control. In the Campbell administration, I could get a sense of who was pulling the wagon in which direction: sometimes it was Jim Green, pushing for a particular project; sometimes it was Geoff Meggs, strategizing about the best way to carry out a particular plan; but often it was Larry Campbell, for good or bad.

With the Sullivan-Fontaine pair administration, there was no mistaking that it was Sam Sullivan taking the city off in particular directions. You knew what his passions were and the way he did business.

But with Magee and Robertson, they’ve been aligned for a long time and have very similar values, making it hard to tease apart the differences.

As well, Gregor doesn’t particularly like talking to reporters, me or anyone, so it’s hard to get a sense of how his head works and which parts of city strategy are his.

I try to figure out who holds the reins of power by checking with people on who they call to solve a city hall problem. That’s usually the test. By and large, what I hear is either city manager Penny Ballem or Magee. But not always. I continue to collect data.

Categories: Uncategorized

  • JCobb

    “As well, Gregor doesn’t particularly like talking to reporters”

    Gregor has difficulty using complete sentences unless they are previously scripted.

  • John

    “A portrait of the Vancouver Rahm Emanuel”

    Is Magee also a psycho who “was so angry at the president’s enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting ‘Dead! … Dead! … Dead!’ and plunging the knife into the table after every name.” ?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel

    If so, run.

  • Morven

    The political Achilles heel of chief executives and their executive assistants is that they tend to focus on the external statesman image rather the pedestrian but equally important task of making the meetings run on time and the city garbage collected.

    The real test is an election but in the meantime, I am left without any real sense of how these super executive types deal with the board of directors (council) who in theory are the voice of the citizens and not special interests (that’s the theory: the reality is different).

    I am far more interested how an elected party functions and uses it’s powers than whether the executive assistant writes crisp memos.
    -30-

  • Joseph Jones

    J Cobb: I’d like to provide a piece of data to support your assertion: Gregor has difficulty using complete sentences unless they are previously scripted.

    What follows is a careful transcript of a live question put by Gregor Robertson to Deputy Constable Steve Sweeney at the Vancouver Police Board meeting on 17 March 2010.

    Uh, so I, one question, uh, regarding these outside agencies, and that is, uh, uh, on these various conversations in the street, uh, through the Games well, later in the, in the Games, there was, uh, uh, a few guys said, the, these, what, what has been developed here, in terms of crowd control and uh, uh, and proactive and, uh, positive, uh, policing is uh, a model that a lot of these others, you know, the RCMP’s interested in, in, in train, getting more of this, training experience in their jurisdictions I’m curious i-if, uh, there is that opportunity for the department to, uh, to share this, uh, best pract– these best practices with other, uh, jurisdictions, that, that — We’ve been asked to come and, uh, and do some of that, and that there, there’s an opportunity.

    For contrast, here is Sweeney’s reply:

    There have been some preliminary inquiries made as to, to, to whether or not we’d be able to do that, and certainly our, uh, our tactual unit training component are able to provide that kind of training, uh. We did do a lot of it with the RCMP, uh, but if other units wanted to take advantage of it we’d certainly be willing and able to provide that level of, uh, training.

    Hear it for yourself at 22:05 into the clip!

  • landlord

    You probably need to look a little farther up the food chain to determine “who holds the reins of power”. Think Jim Sinclair and Darryl Walker.
    The fact is that Vision (and their coterie of donors) holds the reins of power. They have total control of Council and a hand-picked senior management team. What are they waiting for? They could do anything and yet the best they can come up with is symbolic “green” initiatives, STIR and bike lanes?
    Presumably the other shoe will drop at contract time. Then the union chickens will come home to roost.
    There is probably no need for job action since Vision owes CUPE and BCTF big-time. The coming year wil no doubt feature increasingly strident attacks on the provincial government as finger-pointing replaces leadership.
    You think you have issues with the Robertson administration? Imagine the reaction when the City Manager tells the employee unions that their 20% raise and benefits improvements will have to wait or, conversely, tells the citizens of Vancouver that their property taxes will have to go up by 10% to meet the union demands. Either way the fur will surely fly.

  • Gassy Jack’s Ghost

    Apologies for interrupting an interesting discussion, but I gotta say, after reading Frances’ profile piece, I came away with the very distinct impression that Mike Magee is a foul-mouthed, hyper-organized, funny, explosive, smart, loyal guy with a clear agenda, and he can be a real asshole if you get on his bad side, which is pretty much exactly what Alex G. Tsakumis has been accusing him of being all along.

    The only difference I can see is that Frances said it nicely.

  • rf

    What a clip. Thanks Joseph.
    Gregor should start a talk show with Miss Teen South Carolina!

  • Chris Keam

    “Gregor has difficulty using complete sentences unless they are previously scripted.”

    Everyone has difficulty using complete sentences unless they are previously scripted. Everyone. In fact, it takes a ton of practice to get good at it, although some people are blessed with more natural ability for the task than others. Anyone who thinks it’s easy or comes naturally to everyone has simply never done it.

    In fact, even when they are previously scripted it’s still pretty tough. Apparently a few posters have never seen the myriad out-takes that sometimes follow the credits of a motion picture.

  • The Fourth Horseman

    Re: Mike as Rahm…

    Rumour is that Rahm may run for mayor of Chicago.

    Does Mr. MaGee harbour similiar electoral aspirations?

    Magee for mayor…of Surrey?

    😉

  • Higgins

    Frances, to suggest that any person, in any administration, at any level up the political ladder, resemblances this Rahm Emanuel character, would be an act of undignified public regurgitation as this guy does more in a work’s day for his own middle name than he does for his American people. Suggesting that we have one just like him, here in Vancouver is not only scary and totally out of whack, but it proves the point that the Vision sponsors are tilted toward an American style administration. Which, if you haven’t heard it yet, it’s not welcomed here in Vancouver , British Columbia, CANADA! That’s why these Vision guys you so much admire, have got to go. They just tend to become entangled in too much controversy, or dealing with too many shady characters. You said it yourself in your not so Mona Lisa portrait title.

  • rf

    He’s a high-profile politician, Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great politicians are all about being great orators, great debaters, great speakers and statespeople. It’s a great clip because it shows just what a poor communicator he is unless someone gives him a script or a teleprompter.
    It’s the whole crux of the issue with Gregor as mayor. Is he really in charge (as he was elected to be) or is he just a empty pretty-boy puppet son-in-law-of-a-rich-guy for a radical green agenda.

    He’s not a school trustee or new union rep. No one is debating that public speaking is hard, but being a great speaker is part of the job description for any big-city mayor!

    What an unbelievable comment, Chris! Even for you.

  • newly educated

    @Higgins

    Dealing with shady characters? Hmmmm, so who are these shady characters anyways? Are they Americans by chance?

    Can you provide a few names please, a long list isn’t necessary?

  • Chris Keam

    RF:

    There are plenty of high-profile politicians who aren’t great public speakers. No doubt it’s a great attribute to have as a politician, but let’s be realistic, it’s not an indication of intelligence or ability to grasp the issues. Further, just because you are a great speaker doesn’t mean you have a great grasp of what’s best for the populace. Shall I list off all the ‘great speakers’ responsible for most of the bloodshed during the twentieth century?

    Philip Owen was terrible on camera. Just one example of a perfectly competent individual who didn’t translate well to the 2oth c. soundbite environment. Richard Nixon sucked. Stephen Harper is painful to watch. There are legions of others. As I noted earlier, it takes practice and innate skill to be a great speaker. But that doesn’t have any bearing on whether or not one can put forth workable solutions to civic issues.

    My comment isn’t unbelievable. It’s reality. Apparently you just don’t like it when people state the painfully obvious. Let’s face it. If Robertson was God’s gift to oratory he’d be too slick for your tastes and lack the common touch. The guy simply can’t win with you because you’ve picked your opinion and even the most obvious evidence to the contrary is unlikely to change your mind.

  • Chris Keam

    “It’s a great clip because it shows just what a poor communicator he is unless someone gives him a script or a teleprompter.”

    You do understand that most politician in leadership positions have speechwriters right?

    C’mon guy. Don’t treat the readers of this blog like they’re idiots.

  • landlord

    @ Chris Keam : I thought you did write his speeches.

  • rf

    Not to get too ideological, Chris….and the point is taken when it comes to great orators who preach hate… but the ivory towers of the world are full armchair quarterbacks who hide behind the pen, as if their ability to script literary masterpieces and cleverly worded retorts makes their views morally superior, on both sides of the spectrum (and in the 4th estate). But that’s why the do what the do and rarely venture into the political arena where you have to think on your feet or be exposed and attacked.
    But that’s politics! That’s what they sign up for. We can get all simple and say it shouldn’t matter and give them a pass because their heart is in the right place, but the day of the ego free politician really seems dead ‘to me’ (since about 18th century….)
    George Bush got called out early because he was a bumbling fool when speaking off the cuff. It didn’t matter that he was the only president with degrees from both Harvard and Yale. Bill Clinton got a pass because he had the silver tongue (ewwwww..)

    When Gregor sounds like Miss Teen South Carolina he should be called out for it. I expect better from leaders. I don’t see how saying “oh, but public speaking is hard”, or ‘asking good questions and giving good answers when speaking in a public setting unscripted is really tough’ is a good excuse.

  • Richard

    @Morven

    “The political Achilles heel of chief executives and their executive assistants is that they tend to focus on the external statesman image rather the pedestrian but equally important task of making the meetings run on time and the city garbage collected.”

    Well then, you should be excited about the results of the poll that Frances reported on yesterday.
    http://www.justasonmi.com/Vancouver_poll_-_performance_of_municipal_government_7_sep_2010.pdf
    The strongest approval ratings were for “taking care of basics like garbage and street cleaning” with 80% approving and only 9% disapproving. 44% strongly approved and only 5% strongly disapproved.

  • spartikus

    Now hey there – Bill Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford! And Dubya -> legacy student! 🙂

    If you watch some of Bush’s early debates during the Governor of Texas years, he was actually quite good. One might even say a different man.

  • Bill Lee

    Aaron speaking for Moses. Exodus chap 4:10ff

  • mezzanine

    I would agree with Chris Keam.
    Finding a clip that shows any politician stumbling with words is like shooting fish in barrel.

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104244/

  • Chris Keam

    RF:
    “When Gregor sounds like Miss Teen South Carolina he should be called out for it. I expect better from leaders.”

    Would you vote for a leader who espoused your political ideals to a ‘T’ but stuttered? See how silly life becomes when we conflate style and substance?

    There’s no connection between good governance and delivering pithy sound-bites, even if the latter is useful in getting elected.

    Frankly, if you think oratory is such a great quality in a leader, Robertson’s supposed lack thereof should warm your heart. The only thing it could possibly affect in terms of politics and governance is his chances for re-election.

  • Chris Keam

    “But that’s why the do what the do and rarely venture into the political arena where you have to think on your feet or be exposed and attacked.”

    I normally corral my inner Grammar-Nazi, but it’s relevant to the discussion in this instance. You botched this sentence with the benefit of proofing and as much time as you needed to read and re-read what you are trying to say. It’s missing letters AND punctuation.

    Barbie sez math is hard. I say public speaking and all similar forms of ‘performance’ are pretty darn tough too. There’s a reason public speaking rates so highly on the ‘things people fear’ list. There’s a reason why Toastmasters and other groups exist.

    So go nuts on criticizing Robertson’s policies or procedures in implementing them. A respectful exchange of ideas benefits all of us regardless of political bent. But c’mon, let’s aim higher than bashing him over something as inconsequential as like, um, some, you know, uhhh, perceived, uhh, lack of skill in ahh, the art of, hmmm speaking, I mean oratory.

  • Glissando Remmy

    The Thought of The Day

    “Holding on to your Verbal Virginity for too long, makes you undesirable as a ‘Keystone Kops’ Speaker. And I’m not just saying that.”

    So now, it’s my understating, from the audio clip provided by JJ above (many thanks to you, Sir) that The Gregor is holding on for…a faster car chase.
    Well…tell you what.
    With a bit of luck, a good hair stylist, lots of teeth whitening, make up, and of course ‘mucho dinero’, this next little lady, may one day become the Mayor of Her town, whatever town her financial backers may find suitable.

    And speaking of resemblance…enjoy:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww&feature=player_embedded

    And for your enjoyment again the ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPT

    Aimee Teegarden :
    “Recent polls have shown that a fifth of Americans can’t locate the US on a world map. Why do you think this is?”

    Lauren Caitlin Upton (Miss South Carolina 2007):
    “I personally believe, that U.S. Americans,
    are unable to do so,
    because uh,
    some, people out there, in our nation don’t have maps.
    and uh…
    I believe that our education like such as in South Africa,
    and the Iraq,
    everywhere like such as…
    and, I believe they should uh,
    our education over here,
    in the U.S. should help the U.S.
    or should help South Africa,
    and should help the Iraq and Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future,
    for us.”

    Isn’t this great? God Bless America!
    As for Mike Magee’s – ‘Rahm Emanuel’ parallel I’ll say yes, right on the money, it would be rather hard to miss the constipated parrot look semblance here.

    We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.