Fuss may do Rocky no harm
Observers don't see a lasting effect on legacy or a new term
But despite the recent slate of imbroglios, political observers don't think all the fuss is likely to have much lasting effect on the mayor's legacy, his chances for re-election or his support from his highly loyal core constituency.
For certain "it's been a tough couple of months" for the mayor, notes Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics. "It seems like every week there's been some new allegation or controversy."
Most recently, some critics blamed him in part for losing a potential Real Salt Lake stadium to suburban Sandy. Also, earlier this past week, Salt Lake County Democratic Chairwoman Megan Risbon — echoing her Republican counterpart — called for a felony-level investigation into some of Anderson's recently-revealed spending decisions.
Prior to the past few weeks' woes, the City Council launched a formal audit into Anderson's funding of a memorial fountain on Library Square. Previously, the mayor came under fire for running up a bar and meal tab — $457 — while entertaining dignitaries at the Grand America hotel lobby lounge and paying it with taxpayer dollars. The controversy intensified a few days later after it was revealed Anderson hand-picked his girlfriend and other friends to attend a city-sponsored voyage to Torino, Italy.
Anderson has quit talking with reporters of the Deseret Morning News, which he blames for some of his recent woes.
Political observers are a bit unsure as to what it all might mean, and they note that the mayor has survived controversy in the past — even thrived in the tempests.
On the one hand, all the current controversy could leave Anderson with some diminished status.
On the other, Anderson's politics continue to give him hero status among his liberal base, and all the controversy may eventually blow over without much lasting effect.
"Mayor Anderson has the most dedicated core of followers of any public official in the state," Jowers said. It's a unique core because it probably is enough to keep him in office, Jowers noted, adding that "I haven't seen anything thus far that has diminished their full support of Mayor Anderson."
Indeed, those counted among the mayor's constituency are remaining loyal. Jackie Biskupski, an Anderson supporter and the only lesbian in the Utah House of Representatives, still considers Anderson highly ethical.
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