Comments so far on this story:

1. Joe wrote on August 22, 2007 1:53 PM:
"I can see working with Frye, but noone yet has teamed with Aguirre without getting burned."

2. Blunder wrote on August 22, 2007 3:29 PM:
"Francis has jumped the shark. His best chance, his only chance, would have been to succeed Sanders in 4 years. He has now lost that chance, having spit in the faces of the only people who would have put him in office."

3. Christopher Hall wrote on August 23, 2007 12:42 AM:
"I'll buy Francis' new liberal politics when I hear Erik Bruvold sing the song! Let's see, how's it go...'livin' in peace and harmony...give peace a chance...imagine no countries...' Perhaps Cat Stevens can get Erik Bruvold on key -- OK, were gonna hit a C note, everybody ready? 5--6--7--8 '$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$' // Oh...the only song they know is Mo' Money!"

4. Christopher Hall wrote on August 23, 2007 12:56 AM:
"Hey Blunder if you're such a know it all, I dare you to list the top 25 people of power in San Diego who Francis has alienated. If you can't jot down 25 names here then you haven't got a point that anyone will believe. Let's see, I'll guess you think Sanders is miffed -- fine that's an easy one to get you started -- but let's hear who you think outside of Sanders -- here's another easy one -- that new set of brass knuckles running the republican party -- what's his name -- I'm sure he's none to happy, I hope Francis doesn't meet up with him in the locker room. OK Blunder, let's see what a blunder it is."

5. Jack wrote on August 23, 2007 12:57 AM:
"If it were not for his millions, Francis would be irrelevent. I'd rather have an elected official who represents various interest groups than one driven purely by ego and political ambition. San Diego already has one of those... his name is Aguirre."

6. Jack wrote on August 23, 2007 1:04 AM:
"Hopefully Sanders will correct the unaffordable pension problem as the Federal Government and many successful corporations have by going to a 401k program. This may take the heat off the illegal problems with the pension system. jr"

7. Richard wrote on August 23, 2007 1:52 AM:
"I very much doubt that Frances has converted to populism; it's a ploy for votes. Frances was always the most corporate of candidates in the 2005 race for mayor. On election night at the Bristol Hotel, I, as a Donna Frye volunteer and supporter, was taunted by a couple of slick-suited Frances cronies as somehow a prostitute for labor union interests. They use the word "union" like it's a bad word. It didn't matter to them that I happen to not be a union member, and I was one of hundreds of unpaid volunteers for Donna Frye who got behind her because she spoke out for transparent government, even when that meant exposing the pension deals that were piloted through by the city employees' union(!). The fact is, people like Frances only understand money, corporate interests, back room deals, and top-down politics."

8. Steve K wrote on August 23, 2007 2:16 AM:
"Steve Francis--I'm trying to stay open minded. At least he's got a good first name!"

9. Captain wrote on August 23, 2007 2:33 AM:
"Let us just remember that Bruvold is a two bit guy with 50 cent dreams. His recipes have mixed a batch of FRIED FRANCIS with a side of NOT INTERESTED. Good thing he doesn’t run a fast food joint. Francis seems to have all the pieces to the puzzle, smart, wealthy, the politician look, and the will to make it happen. But he seems to find ways to sink himself before the boat even leaves the dock. Maybe he has no idea what ordinary people need or want, but that will be determined if he runs as a populist. Anyone with 52$ million in the bank has lost some sense of touch with normal people, but that Bruvold recipe he serves is just leaving a bad taste in peoples mouth. Francis need to be the man who we saw in 2005, not the populist moderate appeaser of 2008."

10. Centrist wrote on August 23, 2007 4:32 AM:
"Steve Francis has definitely alienated the powerful SD establishment. His money gets him access to all the right places -- like the Chamber of Commerce board -- but he's frequently a lone voice in those places. All the pro-biz orgs love (love, LOVE!) Sanders, so they are very suspicious of Francis' motives in criticizing Sanders. They don't really want the conservative "fiscal responsibilty" Francis touts; they want someone pro-business -- and the two frequently don't coincide. Still, make no mistake -- Francis doesn't have a populist bone in his body. He's an elitist conservative of the first order who would balance the budget on city workers' backs."

11. Marnie wrote on August 23, 2007 5:00 AM:
"Jack, I wonder how well you know Mike Aguirre if you believe that he is not driven by ego. Mike is ego incarnate. After watching this man for years, I have come to understand that every move he makes is calculated to bring himself some benefit. What else but ego would drive him to run for office so many times before he finally eked out a victory against a very flawed opponent?"

12. RFW wrote on August 23, 2007 8:39 AM:
"Mr. Hall I'll take the challenge you offered Blunder. Francis has turned the stomachs of the Republican Party- you don't run against a sitting "R", you don't hang with Frye and you don't go against a ballot measure that you bought media time to looked like you supported you don't leak emails to the media from members of your own party. I think that is more than 25 folks. He will never make it without the San Diego Republican Party’s endorsement. Interesting that he won’t be accepting donor money-or could it be he must use his own money because no one will be giving him a cent!"

13. Mike wrote on August 23, 2007 8:51 AM:
"Any person aligned with Mike Aguirre will not find me aligned with them."

14. Ross wrote on August 23, 2007 11:22 AM:
"I'm glad your true colors are showing now Francis. I may have actually voted for you by mistake if I hadn't known. Now, the second you announce your plans to run, I will hand out anti-Francis bumper stickers all over the city."

15. Stiff wrote on August 23, 2007 1:03 PM:
"Has anyone spent time with Francis? The guy's an empty suit and a stiff. He makes Al Gore look like a good time. Not even Diarrhea Dicchara can help him."

16. Thanks RFW wrote on August 23, 2007 1:38 PM:
"I thought that would be pretty obvious, but Mr. Hall apparently lives in a different state. State of denial, delusion, something. Shall we search Voice of San Diego and Signon San Diego for all of the negative things Francis has had to say about both Aguirre and Frye over the last two years? Why, yes, that would be an excellent idea. Francis is done, like it or not. He really ought to talk to Pete Navarro and ask him if he now wishes he had his money back. Hey, I like rich people, unless that's all they are."

17. Christopher Hall wrote on August 23, 2007 5:25 PM:
"Hey RFW -- of course I think Francis has alienated his party, that's what I was saying -- I'm just calling on Blunder to back his claim and put the names here. I think it would be revealing to round out the pack of insiders who Francis has now lumped together as his enemy. Perhaps unwittingly, what Francis has done is create a 'target,' composed of all the people associated with the crippled Sanders administration. One can tell just how inside someone is by how much they don't like Francis, and this means you probably can't trust their judgment since their dislike for Francis is due to their Sanders job affiliation, and not to his stance(s) on the issues. I am not inclined to be a Francis supporter, but so far he hasn't broken any laws or lost the confidence of the people of San Diego."

18. Hey, Mr. Hall wrote on August 24, 2007 2:11 PM:
"No, I suppose Francis hasn't lost the confidence of the people of San Diego. He would have had to have had it to lose it. Do you remember the primary election? You'd rather not, I'm sure. I don't dislike Francis, indeed I thought he'd be a good successor in 4 years. But then he began this pathetic, transparent attempt at a political makeover. Fake populists make me sick. Don't you see? He's just like the rest of the politicians, only unsuccessful at it. And, no, I don't depend on Sanders or the city, or anyone connected with it, for my work or my pleasure."

19. Fred wrote on August 25, 2007 1:40 AM:
"I thought the Voice of San Diego was going to be an alternative to the Union-Tribune, not another pile of right wing manure. Your negative tone to "liberal" indicates you're in bed with the same folks as the U-T. What's next... requiring all your staff members to wear bow ties?"

20. Peter wrote on August 29, 2007 4:20 AM:
"I find all these comments amusing. It's almost like Tom Shepard himself wrote many of them. Many of them have a similar tone and tact attacking Francis - all behind the convenience of pseudonyms and first names only. Whether they are local Republican Prty hacks or city hall bureaucrats is unknown. But Voice readers should take these comments with a big grain of salt when they attack the one real alternative to a Mayor who seems to have discovered a real lapse in his own integrity and honesty. Attacking Francis is no way to make up for what is going on at City Hall right now. I'm using my first name only in the spirit of the comments posted before me."

21. RWF wrote on August 29, 2007 9:52 AM:
"Peter, you have so missed the mark! The attack on Francis is not because anyone would believe he is the one real alternative to the current Mayor rather, they are offended, down right disgusted by a man with no credibility unless you count his talent for hanging onto the apron/purse strings of his wife's business. He has been validated and defined by greedy consultants who want to make a quick buck and no doubt have fed into his silver spoon ego. So Peter, bring us someone who has substance then we can talk. Maybe even someone like Dede Albert. And Peter you should take down Francis' campaign sign in your yard. Let Them Eat Cake; paid for by the empty suit, but expensive campaign of Stevie Francis."

22. Kellie wrote on August 30, 2007 4:59 AM:
"What's the diff between Francis trying to re-invent himself and what Donna Fryed face is up to? Who are these people?"

23. Adam Huntington wrote on March 13, 2008 10:39 AM:
"Steve Francis came to The Mission Beach Beach Town Council last night, which was not on our agenda btw. This guy is as slimy as they come. We asked him his stance on some issues and he talked about playing at the beach when he was a kid when his parents rented houses there in the summer time. This guy threw around his worthless handshakes like they were worth $1000. He has NO clue what this community is about and I urge everyone to do their research on this guy."