Is Rick Baker Really Out of The Mayor's Race?

Well, there was a lot of speculation that he is, given the announcement that he would be going to work for St. Pete's current Angel investor Bill Edwards.

However, I am not so sure. Just looking at some of the underlying facts might lead you to a different conclusion.

First, with all of the scrutiny colleges are under these days, people doing the job Baker was doing for the salary he was making (reportedly $250,000/year) better be pretty productive or they are problem on someone's cut list.

Second, it would be pretty hard for Baker to even begin a committee to explore a run for Mayor while on the University payroll. He would be subject to all kinds of criticism and his arch political enemy's would pounce on the early opportunity to make the former Mayor look bad.

Looking bad is not something the former Mayor relishes.

The University would probably not be all that thrilled either.

The move by Edwards clears the deck. It funds Baker through the election cycle, eliminates the whole USF problem, moves Baker into a high profile spot where he can get some much needed press, throws a bone to the high powered downtown folks and makes the art community giddy.

To say nothing of the fact that Edwards gets the benefit of Bakers' experience and background, and the former Mayor is one of the smartest guys around town.

Just think about the prospect of Rick Baker as Mayor watching over Midtown and working in tandem with Bill Edwards who can  keep the downtown business and arts people at bay.

The move also allows Edwards and Baker to begin quietly working on putting together a campaign staff and the campaign money issue without actually making any commitments.

Farfetched you say? Maybe.

But it's not nearly as farfetched as imaging the Rick Baker I know sitting in an office worrying about the cost of toilet paper at the Mahaffey.

What's the tipping point?

We will know soon enough. But my bet is if Kathleen Ford were to come out the winner in the current LENS lawsuit and then announce she is running for Mayor, an announcement from the former Mayor that he is running again won't be far behind.

This will shape up to be one of the more interesting political races in recent St. Pete history.

My opinion?

I don't think you've seen the last of Rick Baker.

Check out my Post: A Casual Conversation with Rick Baker

e-mail Doc at: dr.webb@verizon.net, or send me a Facebook Friend request.