Staff at the city's Department of Elections are still mystified as to why poll worker Karl Bradfield Nicholas would allegedly run off with 75 ballots and some otherwise useless electronic election material.
Nicholas, who was arrested at his Ingleside home early Wednesday morning, was the poll inspector -- essentially the manager -- of an Excelsior polling place. He is charged with swiping the ballots, a roster of voters, as well as a "memory pack" -- which resembles an eight track tape and is about as valuable on the open market. "This is bizarre," said John Arntz, the head of the city's Department of Elections.
One of the more surreal moments during Wednesday's San Francisco Giants victory rally was Mayor Gavin Newsom suggesting bullpen ace Brian Wilson be appointed the next mayor of the city.
Wilson politely declined the overture, but said he may know someone who'd like to rule our fair city: "Where's the Machine?" For those not in the know, "The Machine" is a bondage-outfitted, masked leather dude based on a snuff film star in the movie 8MM. As part of his recurring gig on FOX Sports, Wilson had a buddy -- supposedly teammate Pat Burrell -- walk through the shot wearing leather getup. Hilarity ensued, and Wilson has repeatedly mentioned The Machine or brandished leather gimp masks during nationally televised interviews.
We love this guy in San Francisco. He's great. But can The Machine become our next mayor? The answer: Maybe.
