Is It About The Party Or The Candidate?
This is what it comes down to, whether it is better to vote for a party or for a candidate. At least that is what the Democratic leadership would have San Francisco voters ask themselves, and they’re saying, “Vote for the Democrat, Gavin Newsom, no matter what. Bite your tongue and ignore the fact that he gave money to help elect President Bush in 2000. Pay no attention to the fact that he is financed by prominent Republicans and has Republicans managing his campaign. Pretend like you didn’t hear about how his campaign falsified a protest email to discredit the Green Party. Forget what he stands for and who stands behind him. Despite everything you know about Gavin Newsom, remember that he is really a Democrat and Democrats are better than non-Democrats -- trust us.”
The Democrats are desperate to get their point across. Why else would they send Al Gore to San Francisco? If that weren’t insulting enough, now they’re suggesting that Bill Clinton might be visiting, too.
Okay, I understand that the Democratic Party is still reeling from losing the California Gubernatorial Recall to Arnold Schwarzenegger. I know they’re still upset about losing the White House in 2000 thanks to the Supreme Court and Katherine Harris. I appreciate the fact that they might be inclined to take out their frustration on a younger, weaker third party like the Green Party, but give me a break.
Nancy Pelosi, don’t you think you’re being a bit melodramatic?
Lots of friends I’ve talked to this week are clearly worried about the implications of electing Matt Gonzalez, since he is not a Democrat. Obviously the rhetoric coming out of the party via the mainstream media has been working.
To paraphrase Michael Moore, I say, “Vote for the Democrats only when you have to.” This is not one of those situations. For once it isn’t a choice between a moderate, pro-business Democrat and a moderate, pro-business Republican. We don’t have to be afraid that voting with our hearts will end up electing a Republican. What we have here is a choice between a DINO (Democrat-In-Name-Only) and a strong Democratic candidate who happens to be a Green.
Let me be clear about this. I almost always vote for Democrats and I have never supported a third party candidate when doing so might have thrown the race to a Republican.
What we have on December 9th is a historic moment for both San Francisco and American Democracy – a chance to shake off the shackles of Duverger’s Law, even if just for a moment.
Don’t worry about the two-party system, people. We won’t become Germany overnight, nor will Congress become the Knesset. Don’t worry about the Democratic Party, because they’re not going away anytime soon.
This election had focused on ideas, until Gavin Newsom realized that most San Franciscans didn't like his. Since Democrats at the highest levels have made this into a decision about the two-party system, they leave us no other choice but to kick their asses out of the San Francisco’s mayor office. Maybe next time they will give us a candidate who lives up to the ideals of the once great Democratic Party.
This is not a protest vote, people, this is about what is right and what is decent about democracy, and electing a better mayor for a better San Francisco.
(I finished this post before I had read this – I managed to practically plagiarize an article I hadn’t even read!)
This is what it comes down to, whether it is better to vote for a party or for a candidate. At least that is what the Democratic leadership would have San Francisco voters ask themselves, and they’re saying, “Vote for the Democrat, Gavin Newsom, no matter what. Bite your tongue and ignore the fact that he gave money to help elect President Bush in 2000. Pay no attention to the fact that he is financed by prominent Republicans and has Republicans managing his campaign. Pretend like you didn’t hear about how his campaign falsified a protest email to discredit the Green Party. Forget what he stands for and who stands behind him. Despite everything you know about Gavin Newsom, remember that he is really a Democrat and Democrats are better than non-Democrats -- trust us.”
The Democrats are desperate to get their point across. Why else would they send Al Gore to San Francisco? If that weren’t insulting enough, now they’re suggesting that Bill Clinton might be visiting, too.
Okay, I understand that the Democratic Party is still reeling from losing the California Gubernatorial Recall to Arnold Schwarzenegger. I know they’re still upset about losing the White House in 2000 thanks to the Supreme Court and Katherine Harris. I appreciate the fact that they might be inclined to take out their frustration on a younger, weaker third party like the Green Party, but give me a break.
Nancy Pelosi, don’t you think you’re being a bit melodramatic?
"With or without whatever happened in the recall, its very important for the Democratic party that a Democrat win in San Francisco.”
"I would hope the the city of San Francisco would get serious about this election."
"I respect anybody who wants to participate in whatever party ... so I respect the Greens and the enthusiasm that they bring to the political process. However, the fight in this country is between the Democrats and the Republicans.”
"In order for the Democrats to prevail we have to be strong. Having the mayor of San Francisco be a Democrat is important to us."
"A number of candidates have endorsed Newsom. I think it would be perfectly appropriate that President Clinton visit as well."
Lots of friends I’ve talked to this week are clearly worried about the implications of electing Matt Gonzalez, since he is not a Democrat. Obviously the rhetoric coming out of the party via the mainstream media has been working.
To paraphrase Michael Moore, I say, “Vote for the Democrats only when you have to.” This is not one of those situations. For once it isn’t a choice between a moderate, pro-business Democrat and a moderate, pro-business Republican. We don’t have to be afraid that voting with our hearts will end up electing a Republican. What we have here is a choice between a DINO (Democrat-In-Name-Only) and a strong Democratic candidate who happens to be a Green.
Let me be clear about this. I almost always vote for Democrats and I have never supported a third party candidate when doing so might have thrown the race to a Republican.
What we have on December 9th is a historic moment for both San Francisco and American Democracy – a chance to shake off the shackles of Duverger’s Law, even if just for a moment.
Don’t worry about the two-party system, people. We won’t become Germany overnight, nor will Congress become the Knesset. Don’t worry about the Democratic Party, because they’re not going away anytime soon.
This election had focused on ideas, until Gavin Newsom realized that most San Franciscans didn't like his. Since Democrats at the highest levels have made this into a decision about the two-party system, they leave us no other choice but to kick their asses out of the San Francisco’s mayor office. Maybe next time they will give us a candidate who lives up to the ideals of the once great Democratic Party.
This is not a protest vote, people, this is about what is right and what is decent about democracy, and electing a better mayor for a better San Francisco.
(I finished this post before I had read this – I managed to practically plagiarize an article I hadn’t even read!)
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