Claire, Howie may  have jumped in the race ahead of what is considered polite according to tradition,  but it was the mayor who made himself look petty and childish. No one made the Mayor respond how he did on social media. It was a choice Ness made on his own. As a politician he should know to not make knee jerk reactions.  Responding is one thing, the words written were all Ness'. Furthermore,  blaming Howie for the Mayor acting like a 2 year old who's toy is being taken even though he's not playing with it and isn't sure he wants to, is a fundamental problem with a lot of liberals. Personal Responsibility is a great thing. Ness at least owned up and said he reacted badly, hopefully you can realize it was Ness not Howie who made himself look petty and childish.