But is it fair to compare light rail with subways? Seems to me light rail is the worst of all worlds: Slow, low carrying capacity, subject to the same traffic as cars and probably expensive.
The political opposition to the project had nothing to do with preferring a technically superior form of public transportation. Instead, it was opposition to public transportation in general.
Light rail works great downtown. In particular, slowness is a good thing for local businesses. Fast travel like cars does not encourage people to go to your store, it encourages people to drive past it. This is why e.g. Melbourne has a free transit zone in the CBD.
On a political level: yes.
The political opposition to the project had nothing to do with preferring a technically superior form of public transportation. Instead, it was opposition to public transportation in general.