Mon 22 Oct 2007
I have commented frequently on the importance of the Democratic primary for State Senate. Even more important than keeping our progressive State Senator in office, the race is shaping up as a proxy fight between progressives and Newsom apologists.
For some background, I have reposted BMW, The Smartest Guys in the Room up on The Daly Blog. Please read it.
Tomorrow, progressives have an opportunity to help deliver the Milk Club for Carole Migden. There will be a key vote for a December endorsement to prevent Newsom forces from stacking the historically progressive club.
Anyone can come and join/rejoin the Club to support the motion to make the endorsement in December.
Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club
The Women’s Building
3543 – 18th Street (btwn Valencia & Guerrero)
October 23rd, 7:00 PM
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:13 am
This morning’s Beyond Chron claims that in this post I call anyone who opposes a December endorsement for Migden a Newsom apologist. I never made that claim. However, there is no question that there is significant overlap between Newsom’s operation and Leno support.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:34 pm
“It would cause too much dissension in the LGBT community,” Leno once told me after I encouraged him to think about running for Mayor against Newsom.
Funny.
The Milk Club endorsed Quintin Mecke without too much fanfare. But tonight’s showdown between Leno and Migden felt like a street brawl.
Replete with political tension, procedural gymnastics, an attempted political fix, and plenty of shouting, Carole Migden walked out with an overwhelming final vote to conduct Milk’s endorsement vote on December 11th. Of course this was after Leno forces left after Milk Club President, Brian Bassinger, called the original 130-80 vote void and announced the meeting adjourned. I was even embroiled in the controversy when the Chair refused to recognize my motion to sustain the majority vote.
This was a night that will be remembered for years. Have you ever wondered why two of the most stalwart gay progressives, Harry Britt and Howard Wallace, hate each other? It’s because of nights like tonight. (They both were in attendance on opposite sides.)
After tonight, it’s clear that Leno’s challenge is further dividing the community. And that is definitely bad for progressives.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I miss the old Chris Daly who used to fight the machine, instead of fight democracy.
Wasn’t it your old buddy Willie Brown who said something to the effect that democracy is best served by him not having an opponent in the primary?
Wasn’t it Gray Davis & Joe Lieberman consultant Garry South who said just before Joementum lost the primary, “On nearly every issue, whether it’s labor rights, gay rights, consumers, the environment, he is a mainstream Democrat — or Gore wouldn’t have picked him, and I wouldn’t have worked for him.”
Great company Chris.
* Proud to work for Mark Leno
October 24th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
To hell with them both. I’m voting for Veronese. And I know you’re rooting for Migden on the basis of “an enemy of my enemy is mine too,” but in this case it’s a desperately misplaced endorsement.
October 28th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I don’t disagree with what you’re saying about Leno, but I’m also really uncomfortable with the way Midgen has been cozying up to Don Fisher. Thoughts?
October 28th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Bob, I miss the old Bob Brigham. You know, the one who worked to elect Gavin Newsom. Oh, wait, you are the same old Bob Brigham!
How is democracy served by moving BMW’s minion into the State Senate seat and why won’t anyone from the Leno campaign address this issue? Migden clearly was in the wrong for supporting Fisher for Board of Education, but her entire career is not intertwined with the guy — not the way Leno’s is with BMW.
Your engagement in this race has been pretty transparent and pretty disgusting, Bob.