Gavin Newsom is Al Gore, Only Younger --
Just Another Republican Lite

The Democrats are really scared that Matt Gonzalez is going to beat Gavin Newsom in the December 9th run-off. As well they should be. Gonzalez has momentum, and, despite Newsom having outspent him by a ridiculous margin (millions of dollars versus tens of thousands), is leading in the polls. As well he should be. He's a better candidate with a philosophy and track record that is more in line with San Francisco's Democratic values than are Newsom's, despite Gavin's support from some of the parties heaviest hitters. One of them is coming to town to stump for him -- Al Gore.

The Democrats are now concerned that losing the San Francisco Mayor's Office will be an embarassment to the party -- not that the party is short on sources of embarrassment these days, namely Gray Davis being recalled and replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger, losing control of the US Senate, being bullied and beaten by George Bush and his ridiculously authoritarian and elitist policies. Peter Camejo knows what this run-off is really about. "This is not a Green versus Democrat fight,'' he said. "It's a coalition of Greens, progressive Democrats and independents against moderate and conservative Democrats and Republicans.''

Take a look at the numbers and you'll see quite clearly that Republicans overwhelming support Newsom, while Democrats, Greens and Independents support Gonzalez. San Francisco voters should support the better candidate, regardless of party affiliation. But San Francisco is still a Willie Brown-machine town, despite the fact that the Board of Supervisors has Gonzalez, Daly and Peskin as members. So the Democrats are happy to run another attractive, articulate pro-business candidate with lofty ambitions who will cater to their moneyed supporters over their liberal base.

Angela Alioto is so afraid of the Democratic machine that she second guessed her plans to endorse Matt last Thursday. Thankfully, not all Democrats are so timid. Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos is just one among many high profile Democrat who now support Matt Gonzalez.

"The answers don't come from Democrats or Republicans or Greens.

I am a life long Democrat ... and what I found is, in the Mayor's office with tough decisions, you are often alone, with your character, principles, integrity, humility, ability and vision to guide you.

I believe Matt Gonzalez has those qualities. That's why I endorsed him when he ran as a Democrat for supervisor, continued to endorse and support him when he became a Green to escape the business as usual politics of the city.

If you don't think that Gavin Newsom is a lot like Al Gore, and really just another Republican in disguise, listen to what Republican Ryan Chamberlain, District 1 Manager for the Newsom for Mayor campaign sent in an e-mail to Newsom's supporters, saying that Greens supporting Gonzalez are coming to town from places "where money is evil unless it's taken from someone who earned it and given to someone who didn't.'' (Hey Ryan, who is taking our hard-earned tax dollars and giving them to Halliburton, Bechtel and their GOP-supporting ilk?)

As long as the Democratic Party gives us Republicans Lite like Gray Davis, Cruz Bustamante, Al Gore, Joseph Lieberman and Gavin Newsom, they simply don't deserve our support, which is why I'm encouraging all of my Democratic friends to vote for Gonzalez on December 9th.