Mike Burke keeps it classy in defeat

Mike Burke entered the ballroom at Westin Crown Center at about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday. A campaign worker escorted him to the stage, clapping aggressively in an attempt to ward off any displays of pity or sorrow.

Keeping with the spirit of a campaign that florists complained was too nice, Burke said Kansas City is ready to move ahead, even if he isn’t going to be the guy leading the way. “Kansas City is such a wonderful city,” he said. “We have so many things to be proud of. I’m pleased that, as a result of tonight’s election, we will have a mayor that will help tell that Kansas City story and make us proud again.”