Gavin Newsom elected San Fransisco Mayor

[Freddie Stubbs]

Gavin Newsom
Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
115,859 52.4%

Matt Gonzalez
President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
105,223 47.6%

96% of precincts reporting Last updated 12/9 9:13PM

http://www.sfgate.com/election/races/2003/12/09/

Another Democratic victory!

[Catherine Vincent]

1. Wow!

That was a close race.

[davidinalameda]

2. beat me to it!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/12/10/MNmayorrace.TMP

San Francisco election officials have begun tallying votes that will decide if the city’s 42nd mayor will be a moderate Democrat riding voter frustration with homelessness and fueled by nearly $4 million in campaign contributions, or a former public defender and champion of progressive politics who has held elective office for just three years.

Board of Supervisors President and Green Party candidate Matt Gonzalez, 38, a Stanford-trained lawyer with a Bohemian bent, fashioned himself as an outsider, independent enough to reform City Hall.

Gavin Newsom, 36, a board member promoted as the new face of the Democratic establishment, was backed by endorsements from Democrats at all levels of government, dozens of unions and real estate and major downtown corporate interests.

[Terran]

66. Kind of ironic

...a moderate Democrat riding voter frustration with homelessness...

San Francisco has had nothing but moderate Democrats for decades, and none of them have had the political will to effectively address the homelessness problem there. One would have thought the Green candidate was capable of offering a more serious program, at least in that area. If that's what San Francisacans wanted, they should have voted for the Green.

[Ace R. Rubrum]

93. Ouch

"Wealthy Entrepreneur Defeats Champion of the Homeless". Remind me again, how is this a headline we can be proud of?

This is fuel for the right.

[unbrand]

3. Yes, another victory for the emasculated Democrats

Are you serious or is my sarcasm detector not working?

[Freddie Stubbs]

49. I am serious

Just becasue Newsom is not a far-left socialist doens't make him a bad Democrat.

[RPG-7]

55. he's a product of corrupt one-party politics

Regardless of your definition of left-right he's a corrupt thief. You would have to be brain damaged to see this as a victory for anyone but his patrons.

[Freddie Stubbs]

56. A thief? What exactly did he steal?

Was he convicted?

[RPG-7]

57. no, he doesn't hold up liquor stores

His flavor of theft certainly makes him a "good democrat" :eyes:

[Freddie Stubbs]

58. What exactly did he steal?

Theft is a serious charge.

[goforit]

4. A battle of two fine young men!!!

Much better than we have here in the WH.

[David__77]

5. I did not support Newsom, but...

I will look to the positive side for the Democratic Party. I wish that Gonzalez has not left the Democratic Party--perhaps if he had not he would have won just now. It is a good thing that a straight-up leftist candidate could gain over 47% in SF. I hope that Newsom adheres to a progressive agenda.

[unbrand]

6. This is not a victory for the Democratic party.

This is a victory for corporations. I've seen Newsom speak in a debate, I have asked him a question on a radio interview, and I can say with 100% confidence that he is a corporate Republican in sheep's clothing.

He is a shell. He sounds like Schwarzenegger. He comes from big money. He wants to criminalize being poor.

The Greens in San Francisco are what the Democrats should be.

This is not a good thing, folks.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. I guess he only won becasue of the right-wing electroate in SF

That would explain why a lakey of the corporations was elected.

[tinanator]

68. well yeah, it was a Republican victory

taste sweet? Probably stolen by the Democratic Machine as well. Bipartisanship at its finest.

[Freddie Stubbs]

77. No, it was a Democratic victory

The Democratic candidate won. The Green candidate lost. Do you have nay evidence that the 'Democratic Machine' stole the election, other than the fact that the candidate that you favored did not get elected?

[tinanator]

78. judging by past behavior

it was to be expected. Im sure details will emerge. And we will all be shocked. Shocked I tell you!

[Freddie Stubbs]

79. When was the last time the SF Democratic machine stole and election?

I don't recall hearing anything about that recently.

[tinanator]

101. allow me to burst that bubble

After the 2001 Power "crisis" in CA San Francisco had a municipal power measure up. Willie Brown had the ballots moved and counted somewhere unusual. Its difficult to believe that even the most conservative neighborhoods in CA would vote against a municipal power structure particularly that very year. Somehow, the measure met a very slight defeat. Miracles never cease.

[Blitz]

103. Got a link

or any evidence that the ballots were miscounted or not counted properly?

Oh, and Rachel Corrie? Terrorist supporting hatemonger.

[tinanator]

107. for you? several

for anyone else http://www.voting-counts.org/issues.htm
try to reconcile the results between Measure B and Measure F
go for it.

[Freddie Stubbs]

118. Any actual evidence of vote tampering?

Voters changing thier minds in not a sign of vote tampering.

[tinanator]

126. the result speaks for itself

some things are tougher to spin than others. good luck.

[Freddie Stubbs]

127. So, in other words youd do not have any EVIDENCE of vote tampering

Using your line of thinking, we can deduce Bill Clinton's 1992 election was the result of vote tampering. A clear majority voted to elect BBush just four years earlier. But less than 40% voted for Bush in 1992. Must have been a stolen election.

[ferg]

8. agreed

This is a defeat for the Democratic party.

Except for the Republican wing of the Democratic party. Feinstein is celebrating tonight.

[Voltaire99]

44. Agreed here, too.

Newsom is a reptile of Lieberman calibre. Democrats should hang their heads in shame - and dissociate themselves from this brand of soulless, money-pleasing politician.

[piece sine]

86. WRONG!

here is no more handsome or telegenic Democrat in the entire country right now, except for Harold Ford, Jr. He's got major star quality. You're trying to make a LOSER out of a Democratic WINNER in a major city. People look up to Newsom and his win echoes positively around the country. ALL Democrats should quickly embrace Newsom and give him the loudest standing ovation possible in Boston next summer.

[Freddie Stubbs]

50. Clinton and Gore and Barbara Boxer are celebrating also

All three of them endorsed Newsom.

[dolstein]

9. Would you have said the same thing if Gore won in 2000?

You sound like a Nader clone.

Just more proof that Greens are Greens and Democrats are Democrats and never the twain shall meet.

[unbrand]

12. The issue is not the name of the party.

What Bush represented in 2000 is what Newsom represents today. There's really not that much difference. I oppose whomever represents the corporate-first ideals. The Greens (Gonzalez) have the cajones to stand up to corporate interests. That's what the Dems should be doing.

Newsom is not a progressive. He's a Democrat in name only. In fact, there's no way in hell a Republican can get voted in as mayor in San Franicisco. So, some young kid with ambition says "Yes, master" and calls himself a Democrat so he can get elected.

And yes, I'm sure Feinstein is celebrating this one.

This is not about Nader or the Green Party, per se. It's about opposing the same interests that are behind Shrub.

[dolstein]

14. Sorry, but I wouldn't trust a Green to tell me who the real

Democrats are.

I find it ironic that you accuse Newsom of being a Democrat in name only yet support Gonzales, who isn't even willing to wear the Democratic label. I suspect that, deep down inside, you believe that Newsom really is a Democrat, and that's what you're objecting to.

[shanti]

22. a question...

do you live in san fran?

[Blitz]

40. I live in San Francisco

I voted for Newsom (and Harris) and told everyone I met in the past few days to do the same.

[sujan]

37. nobody would trust YOU telling

who a 'real' democrat is....

[CBHagman]

70. Amen to that.

If the Green had won, we would be hearing that the Democratic Party was totally dead, at an end, in the state of California. I'm not convinced the Greens are at all politically viable.

[Sugarbleus]

27. To unbrand and Tin..

FINALLY, there is a thread I can relate to.

I am not a green but I'm starting to pay attention to some of their ideals; especially where it concerns THE UNDERCLASS!
One of you hit the nail on the head for me: none of the the candidates running for Prez give much or ANY time to the POOR in this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What about the UNDERCLASS? What about poverty in America? What do these Dems mean when they say bring back or create jobs? WHAT TYPE OF JOBS ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? All I hear the fab 8 talk about is the Middle class (whats left of them) and higher education. That's all well and good but this is a HUGE country and stuff happens. We have people going hungry while working at dead end jobs. People that no one notices going without HEALTH care because they can't find a job or can't work. And what about social security and the DISABLED? What about access to quality MENTAL HEALTH CARE? No one talks about these things. What about CLEAN AFFORDABLE housing for those THAT WILL ALWAYS BE RENTERS?
I looked up some info on the British Labour Party last night. I realize that that party is who I am. I only belong to the Dems because there IS NO OTHER VIABLE PARTY. And, because there is no other viable party "allowed", that is why the Dems are so divided!
You are completely right about the Dems, of which I am one for lack of anyplace else to go, they are ALSO hooked up with big money and kickbacks and the INTELLECTUAL ELITISTS. There is scarcely a difference between the right and the left in this country. Agreed there are some fine Dems out there with noble ideals but they will never be heard because everyone is so freaked out they are going "too socialistic" geeeeeeezus. Britain and Europe are dealing with it okay. We need more than two parties.
QUESTION EVERYTHING.........
:argh:

[unbrand]

29. You got it.

Right on. This is exactly why Matt Gonzalez left the Democratic Party and went Green. Enough people in SF were pissed off with the Democratic Party as you stated such that we had a run-off election today. That's some good news.

The thing that worries me a lot is the creation of a single-party system here in the US. Of course, the illusion of a 2-party system will be kept up. Many (here on DU especially) will argue that it's been a single-party system for a long time. Maybe I'm just feeling the effects of the red pill.

At any rate, you've got it. What's really insidious about Gavin Newsom is that he has a program he's been pushing called "Care not cash" for the homeless. It's a clever trap. Basically he's saying he wants to care for the homeless, but there is no money to implement what he proposes. He knew that from the start. He gets to look good by pretending to care about homeless.

Gavin Newsom also got a new ballot measure approved that actually criminalized "aggresive" homeless behavior. Of course, "aggressinve" means "in the path between Nordstrom and my Lexus." I wish I was joking.

So yes, Matt Gonzalez, and I guess, I, went to the Green Party only because we both were disgusted with the Democratic Party.

You've figured it out. Now what do you do with it? That's the real question.

[Sugarbleus]

33. Thanks unbrand..

I got it because I live it, unfortunately. I speak for all those that go unnoticed; not just the homeless.
I used to have a full time/permanent job; guess when? IN 1984! After that with the GIANT SUCKING SOUND from NAFTA which began a HUGE migration of manufacturing jobs going "south", my "employment record" has been a series of "Temp jobs". I actually got hired through one for a permanent position..guess what? It went someplace else one month after I got hired. Our life has spiraled downward ever since; as has the lives of many many others I know. We are one click, one health crisis, one more cut to social services away from living in my van. I went without health care from 1984 up until two years ago!

What I can do is KEEP SHOUTING IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS. Keep writing and posting and emailing and so forth. I encourage people to vote much more vigorously these days. I network when I can. NOW, I'm making it a "mission" to bombard my reps in the Dem party to address these issues or SHAME ON THEM. Perhaps, one day, by being vigilant, something will change in this country that will benefit everyone.
Perhaps, one day, we will have the boot makers employed again so those of us down here WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO PULL OURSELVES UP BY..
Right now, it's about getting the IMMORAL right wing conservatives out of Power...we can work on the details as we go along.
EVER VIGILANT EVER VIGILANT
BTW: I live down the coast in Santa Cruz...:hi:

[unbrand]

35. The price of freedom

Thumbs up! :toast:

Stay strong.

Some more ideas:

- making flyers (photocopy or on a computer printer) and leaving them everywhere you go. Even if someone picks it up to throw it away, they'll at least glance at it or read it.

- set up a cafepress.com shop and sell stuff! It's free to set up and it's another way to get your ideas out there.

- start a blog on one of the free blogging sites.

<edited for (some) clarity>

[Tinoire]

81. Thanks & Welcome to DU!

:toast: I look forward to meeting you one day soon!

I'm right around the corner from you. Peace :)

[jsw_81]

25. So Clinton, Gore, Pelosi and Feinstein all endorsed a Republican?

:eyes:

Face it Greenies, you lost big tonight. Deal with it and quit whining already.

[Iverson]

47. what a gracious winner

Actually they did not endorse a Republican. They endorsed a conservative who was supported by Republicans and conservative interests such as Bechtel.

I'm sure that your pointless taunting will be remembered when you and yours claim to own Green votes in November 2004.

[FredScuttle]

112. and I'm sure that your piteous whining

will sound like a broken record to Democrats in 2004.

After the lies that have been spread about Gavin Newsom here, I can't wait to see what trashing by the Greens is in store for the eventual Democratic nominee.

After the debacle of 2000, I lay no claims to Green votes...you all vote your consciences while the rest of us work to get rid of Dubya. Your help, while it would be appreciated, is completely unexpected.

[FredScuttle]

88. comes from big money?

Granted, he's established friendships with some well-heeled folks (namely the Gettys), but he hardly "comes from big money"

take a look at his biography if you're interested in the truth about his modest upbringing and not what the media and the Greens served you:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/12/07/MNG313I2O41.DTL

[Tinoire]

13. This is a victory for Bechtel and Bush

Gavin's campaign donors include former Republican Secretary of State George Schultz, Bechtel's President, and Chevron:

Registered contributions to Gavin Newsom machine funds and PACs/ Transaction Date/Source/Recipient Name/City State/Employer/Occupation/Transaction Amount

Bechtel
6/26/03 Bruce Walker San Francisco CA Retired, Bechtel Civil, Inc. 250
6/27/03 Bechtel Corporation San Francisco CA 500
8/18/03 George Schultz San Francisco CA Boardmember, Bechtel Group, Inc. 500
9/1/03 Balram Bhandari Danville CA Consultant, Bechtel 500
9/1/03 Carolyn Bechtel Ojai CA Self Emp Biology Consultant, Same Name 500
9/16/03 Richard Burt San Francisco CA Sr. VP, Dir,& Gen. Couns., Bechtel Group, Inc. 500
9/16/03 Sandra Ogden San Francisco CA Attorney, Bechtel Corporation 200
10/7/03 Charles Bowman San Francisco CA Tax Attorney, Bechtel Corp. 100
10/12/03 Michael Bailey Tiburan CA General Counsel, Bechtel Enterpises,Inc. 500
4/10/03 Stephen Bechtel San Francisco CA Chairman Emeritus, Fremont Group, LP 500
6/27/03 J P Covey San Francisco CA Senior Vice President, Bechtel Corporation 500
6/27/03 Leeanne Lang San Francisco CA Communications Services Mang., Bechtel Corp. 100
9/1/03 Ranji Bhandari Danville CA Consultant, Bechtel 500
9/16/03 John A. MacDonald Orinda CA President, Bechtel Infrastructure Corp. 500
9/16/03 Marcia Burkey San Francisco CA CFO, Bechtel Enterprises, Inc. 300
9/16/03 Thomas Draeger Walnut Creek CA Business Line Ops. Manager, Bechtel Infrastructure Corp. 250
Total: 6200

Committee on Jobs Government Reform Fund 10/13/03 Bechtel Corporation San Francisco CA 5000

The Gap
3/9/03 Daniel Henkle San Francisco CA Vice President, Gap, Inc. 500
3/11/03 Shelley Bransten San Francisco CA Marketing, The Gap, Inc. 250
5/5/03 Alanna Klein San Francisco CA Retailer, The Gap 100
5/7/03 Stacey Krum Oakland CA Manager, Gap, Inc. 100
5/11/03 Kendra Reichenau San Francisco CA Merchant, Gap 500
6/10/03 Paul Pressler Pacific Palisades CA President, Gap Inc. 500
8/4/03 Emily Gould San Francisco CA Attorney, Gap, Inc. 100
10/3/03 Marissa Walker Berkeley CA Distribution Dir., Gap Inc. 250
10/6/03 Andrew Cummins San Francisco CA Manager, Gap 500
1/14/03 William Fisher San Anselmo CA President, Gap, Inc. 500
4/9/03 Ann Weldon Doyle San Francisco CA Buyer, The Gap 100
4/10/03 Brian Banuelos San Francisco CA IT Manager, The Gap, Inc. 125
Total: 3525

Care Not Cash 10/17/03 Donald G. Fisher San Francisco CA Chairman, The Gap Inc. 500
Care Not Cash 10/15/03 Robert J. Fisher San Francisco CA Director, The Gap Inc. 500
Care Not Cash 10/17/03 Doris F. Fisher San Francisco CA Director, The Gap Inc. 500
Total: 1500

DogPAC 5/22/03 Steven Shuck San Francisco CA Sr. Director, The Gap 100
SF SOS PAC 6/24/03 Don Fisher San Francisco CA Philanthropist, GAP, Inc. 25000

The Fisher Brothers
3/20/03 M. Anthony Fisher Englewood NJ CEO, Fisher Brothers 500
3/20/03 John Whalen New York NY General Manager, Fisher Brothers 500
3/26/03 Audrey Fisher New York NY Owner, Fisher Brothers 500
3/26/03 Jessica Fisher New York NY Owner, Fisher Brothers 500
Total: 2000

SF SOS PAC 6/24/03 Don Fisher San Francisco CA Philanthropist, GAP, Inc. 25000
8/27/03 Robert Fisher San Francisco CA Chairman, Fisher Development, Inc. 500
10/7/03 Robert Fisher San Francisco CA Retired, None 50

Chevron/Texaco
6/29/03 Pacific Heights Chevron San Francicisco CA 250
8/18/03 ChevronTexaco Corporation Richmond CA 500
9/15/03 Mary Ann Barngrover San Francisco CA Ombudsman, ChevronTexaco 500
10/15/03 Castro Street Chevron Service Center San Francisco CA 100
Total: 1350

GRAND TOTAL: $69,675

from "the corporations of war, death, global and local environmental and human rights atrocities, ancient forest destruction, sweat shop labor, water privatization for the rich, corporate globalization". I am eager to see how much other "philantropists" gave Newsom!

((Source: San Francisco Ethics Committee 2003 Financial Disclosure Database ... ))

---------------

For more information on these corporations and on-going campaigns to fight them, please see the following websites: www.actagainstwar.org , www.amazonwatch.org , www.projectunderground.org , www.globalexchange.org , www.gapsucks.org.

[Iverson]

48. condolences, Tinoire

It took Clinton and Gore and ten times the cash to fend off what amounted to the Democratic base.

[schultzee]

17. I don't understand why Gonzalez left the Democrat party and is

more liberal than the Democrat he ran against. And did they use those Diebold machines there? If they did who really knows who won.

[uhhuh]

19. Please

Remember, it is the Democratic Party. Only RWers call it the Democrat party.

[unbrand]

20. From what I understand

he left the Democratic Party because he was dissatisfied with the crony-ism and corporate ties. Even Gavin Newsom distanced himself a LOT from the current mayor, Willie Brown (a Democrat). Brown appointed Newsom to the Board of Supervisors and was Brown's chosen heir to the throne.

Brown is well known for the costly, cush appointments he gave to his friends. Willie Brown is also known for having numerous ties to the current Repub admin in DC.

AFAIK, no Diebold machines were used.

Really, the Democratic Party in San Francisco looks an awful lot like the Republican Party in power in DC. I think that's why most people looking at this from outside SF say "Hey, great, a Dem won!" but people in SF say "Oh christ."

<edited for grammar>

[shanti]

24. exactly

you have to live in the city to know this. willie brown is one of them. smart as they come, tho.

the margin was close - what do you think the deciding factor was? i really was hoping for a green victory.

[unbrand]

28. Hmmm...

As Freddie Stubbs said, a big factor was the right wing electorate. These people VOTE and are not apathetic like many of us on the left.

Also, Newsom won the write-ins by about 70% - 30% and the write-ins were about 70,000 votes out of a total of 226,000. So for some reason, Newson killed on the write-ins, but I'm not sure why.

Once the numbers started coming in for today's votes of people who actually went to the polls, the gap closed considerably and ended up with Newsom winning by about 4.5%.

There you have it. Wish I had a good answer.

[Blitz]

42. Most people in San Francisco

voted for Gavin Newsom. Let's not forget that little fact. He won with a margin of over 11,000 votes.

[Blitz]

39. They use paper and markers in San Francisco

Gavin Newsom won. Mayor Newsom, soon.

Thank goodness.

[dolstein]

10. Headline: A Democrat Wins; DU'ers Despair

Classic.

[candy331]

11. Don't know anything

about the candidates but at this point I am glad a Dem(if in name only) won because the repugs were waiting for this to blast across the screen tomorrow. Perhaps when Dems get their house in order they will be able to reach out to others but right now we are drowning and need the lifeline ourselves.

[Tinoire]

15. The Centrist/Conservative Dems are rejoicing

this Bechtel win.

Haven't seen a SINGLE SF Bay DUer who marched with our tight SF Bay DUers against the war rejoicing the 'victory' of a man who duked out on the Patriot Act vote up here.

Classic.

[Pastiche423]

16. HEADLINE

A corporate, black hearted DINO wins

DUers despair

[dolstein]

18. Back in 2000, people like you were calling Gore a corporate whore

Why should I believe you now?

[GreenArrow]

21. Gore is a corporate whore

That's what politics is all about. The business of America is business, everything else be damned.

[mdguss]

23. Great news for our party:

The Democratic Party has continued to fend off challenges to our political base. Way to go Mayor Newsom! I hope the Greens will come back into the party, and work for their views within it. (Count on me to oppose them at every step within the party, but them coming back into the party would be the right thing for our country).

[unbrand]

26. You're assuming there's a difference between D & R in SF

Which there isn't, in any real sense. What happened in SF is just a harbinger of what's going to happen on a larger scale in the rest of the country.

No, I'm not talking about Green vs. Dem. I'm talking about non-corporate vs. corporate. That's why Gore and Clinton were both out here supporting Newsom. Yes you're right, the Dems survived an attack on their base. But it's not the Democratic base they are defending. They are defending the corporate-interest base. That's why the Democratic Party was so scared about this race.

Of course, ignore the above if you were being sarcastic. My humor detector is admittedly a bit off tonight. :-)

[mdguss]

30. That's just wrong:

First off, not all corporations are alike. People don't just sit in some resort and go, "We're going to make such and such such and such."

Generally, manufacturing, service, legal, communications and high-tech corporations side with the Democrats. (Farming interests side with both sides).

Bankers, oil people, energy companies, stock brokers, construction firms, the paper industry, and Wal-Mart side with the Republicans.

Can you tell me what interests the oil people and the rest share? The oil people want to make a lot of money; everybody else wants a cheap transportation. Those two things don't go hand-in-hand.

Can you tell me what the bankers and manufacuters share? The bankers want free-trade so they can invest in things across the world, and reep the benefits of a laxer system. Free Trade puts the manufactuerers out of business.

Politics is about interest. But just because there is inc. after their names doesn't mean they have a common interest. And there are times when some corporations interests are decidely progressive (many service industry companies that compete against Wal-Mart fought hard for Clinton's health care plan).

Look deeper into the issues and you'll see the truth. It isn't about the corporations. It's about forming the winning coalition that can bring peace, prosperity, education and hope for all.

[unbrand]

31. Fair enough.

Heh. I see your point. Truth be told, I own a small business myself. Very small. And it is incorporated. So technically, I have a corporation. I guess that's why I felt qualified to comment on the issue. :-)

Yes, I was over-simplifying to make a point. Perhaps I should have been more specific and said "Downtown SF corporate interests." That would have been more accurate.

Your points are valid. And it is all about "forming the winning coalition that can bring peace, prosperity, education and hope for all" as you said.

Couldn't agree more. I just don't think the new SF mayor can pull it off.

[nolabels]

34. Sounds more like the greens got them on the RUN

Having to pair up with the Repukes to win an election, that is a sad state of affairs if you ask me. So much for liberal wing of the Democratic Party in SF.

47% to 52% is bad when one is being outspent ten to one, and even bringing all them other folks in to campaign for the guy. When the parties no longer represent the people but only special interests, surely it is time to get off, isn’t it?

[Iverson]

46. "people like you"

Good grief!
With so much evidence before your eyes, proceeding from prejudice and only from prejudice should be completely embarrassing.

These things are inarguable:
- Newsom was supported by Bechtel.
- Newsom was supported by Reagan's Secretary of State, George Schultz
- Newsom publicly asserted that San Francisco's homeless should be put on a barge in SF Bay.
- Gonzalez was uniformly opposed by corporate interests.
- Both candidates had labor support.

Now, don't just go presuming that the information is false because a lefty has introduced it to you. I strongly encourage you to verify it for yourself. This will enable you to move beyond partisan generalizations on the mayor's race for the very first time.

Further, I look forward to former President Clinton and previous presidential election winner Gore flying into every large city around the country to oppose Republicans, since it was so vitally important to bring them in against a Green.

"People like you" ... that's sad.

[FredScuttle]

113. Inarguable?!!!!!!

please provide the link to a publicly uttered statement by Gavin Newsom that "San Francisco's homeless should be put on a barge in SF Bay". Otherwise, please refrain from outrageous lies like this that simply reduce your credibility to that of repukes who call Tom Daschle a commie radical.

[Dr Fate]

32. Sweet- Now we get to see more of that HOT wife of his...n/t

...

[truthisfreedom]

36. i suppose things could be worse.

[truthisfreedom]

38. that's still pretty amazingly close.

greens got some power in SF, no doubt. some day, i suppose.

[Scott Lee]

41. Bad news - good news

Bad news: An establishment Dem candidate grabbed the office.

Good news: A Green came that close to beating him.

Best of all worlds: The Democrats in SF get the idea and start running candidates that act like Democrats again.

[nofurylike]

43. well put, i say.

that's really some of what it's about: calling dems back to what so many of us here wish to be.

i have been surprised by some of the venom. during the 2000 s/election, the charge to greens was to start winning local and state offices, before going right to national - doing the groundwork we all have to do to r/evolve.

then, when it happens, such vitriol?

the slap effect of greens running so effectively clearly has made a difference in raising greener consciousness in many dems. we all need that.


peace

[papau]

45. when it happens, such vitriol? ... can you look at Bush and not blame

"Greens" for putting into office a person who is destroying the environment?

Indeed since the majority of Green funding came from the GOP and its friends, perhaps "the evil corp's gave to a Dem" are a bit BS.

Indeed while there are indeed idealist folks who are "Green", the refusal to build in local races only (and SF was indeed what Greens should do - a pull to the left is good!)means the National Green - namely Nader - is a GOP whore that everyone should piss on.

But that is just my opinion.

[SideshowScott]

51. It seems that the Greens dont understand that they are the Enemy..

No matter how much we agree on most issues the Greens like the Republicans are the oppisition to the Democratic Party. Hey im not saying that Greens should not run or that there just should be just a 2 party system..Its a free country..But by running agianst Democrats they are the other team trying to Beat The Democratic Party. Persoanaly i really dont trust any party that attacks the democrats more than the GOP.. But thats just me..And to those who chant that The democrats are dead..I think they are holding up pretty good considering that they are battling the Greens, the GOP and the Media all at once.
Good Job to the SF Democrats!!

[papau]

52. Well said - Greens running against a Dem are obviously trying to defeat

the Dem.

And while a "left" discussion might make sense in a local race, Nader is simply another GOP financed GOP line on the ballot trying to defeat the Dem

[Dr Fate]

108. And that is the main reason I stuck with DEMS in this election...

...I thought Matt was pretty cool, but then he attacked DEMS in general, not just Newsome. I've worked hard for the DEMS, and I'm not voting for a party that tears down my work...

Too bad Gonzalez did not run as an "Independent" or as another DEM- but I do not vote for republicans and I do not vote for greens...

[Lurking Dem]

53. Democrat Wins Election!

Oh my G-d! The HORROR! When will this nightmare END?

/sarcasm

Only on DU....

[Rowdyboy]

54. A Democrat wins

Get out the black armbands-DU is in mourning.

For God's sake, Greens are an OPPOSITION party.

[Kitsune]

74. Some of us WANT an opposition party

Because 9/10ths of the Dems have spent the last three years too busy bending over for the far right to bother opposing anything!

[resident bunnypants]

59. As the saying goes

"If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything". Can anyone tell me what the new mayor elect stands for. I'm sorry, but running on a platform of "I'm not a nazi like those guys on my right", is not enough. No I'm not a green but Gonzalez seemed to be the only candidate in that race that stood for what Democrats have claimed to stand for over the last few decades. This country has been moved to the far right enough. We don't need "Democratic" candidates who show the compassion of George Dumbya Bush to the homeless. San Francisco was supossed to be a liberal bastion. Are we to give that up too?

[Freddie Stubbs]

60. He stands for clean air and renewable energy

http://www.gavinnewsom.com/pdfs/newsom_renew.pdf

[Tinoire]

71. Good point

http://www.georgewbush.com/Environment/


Preserving the Beauty and Quality of Our Environment
President Bush believes that good stewardship of the environment is not just a personal responsibility, it is a public value. Americans are united in the belief that it is important to preserve our natural heritage and safeguard the land around us.

The President has launched initiatives that express this same commitment. His Administration has acted in a comprehensive way to achieve impressive results. By almost every indicator, environmental quality in the United States is improving with cleaner air, water, and land, and improved public health.

The President believes that the federal government has an important role to play in protecting our environment and he has introduced new and innovative policies to achieve these goals. The President favors common-sense approaches to improving the environment while protecting the quality of American life. Over the past two-and-a-half years, the Administration has introduced initiatives that have already begun to deliver significant environmental results for all Americans.
.

Read Complete Issue Brief http://www.georgewbush.com/Environment/
:eyes:

[Freddie Stubbs]

61. He stands for creating affordable homeownership

http://www.gavinnewsom.com/pdfs/wkfc_hsng.pdf

[Tinoire]

73. Good Point Again!

Expanding Homeownership Opportunities and Strengthening Our Economy


President Bush discussed the economy, the strong housing market, and his aggressive homeownership agenda at Ruiz Foods in Dinuba, California today.

Communities across the Nation are enjoying the benefits of the strong housing market. Because of rising home values, Americans are enjoying three trillion dollars of greater housing wealth than they did in 2000. Thanks to the lowest mortgage rates in 45 years, America's families are refinancing and saving hundreds of dollars a month on their home payments.

The President also called on the Senate to pass The American Dream Downpayment Act, which would help approximately 40,000 families a year with their down payment and closing costs, and further stimulate America's housing market.

Background: A Commitment to Expanding Opportunities to Homeownership

In June 2002, President Bush announced the national goal of increasing the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million before the end of the decade. Meeting the President's goal will not only help more Americans enjoy the benefits of owning their own homes, it will also help strengthen our economy.

President Bush's aggressive housing agenda to dismantle the barriers to homeownership includes,

Providing down payment assistance through the American Dream Downpayment Fund;
Increasing the supply of affordable homes through the Single-Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit;
Increasing support for self-help homeownership programs like Habitat for Humanity;
Simplifying the home-buying process; and
Increasing home-buying education.
The President issued America's Homeownership Challenge to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to join in the effort and take concrete steps to close the gap that exists between the homeownership rates of minorities and non-minorities.

The Bush Administration and the America's Homeownership Challenge partners in the private sector have been working hard to increase minority homeownership, and have already seen positive results:

There are 809,000 new minority homeowners in the U.S. since the President's announcement.
Nearly 1,500 low-income families are now using housing vouchers to pay their monthly mortgage or other costs of owning a home, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is working with public housing authorities to allow the sale of units to tenants.
The Federal Trade Commission and HUD are working together to protect homebuyers from predatory lenders.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is implementing their Money Smart program, which is providing financial education services for potential homebuyers.
Through America's Homeownership Challenge, more than 2 dozen companies have made commitments to increase minority homeownership, including pledges to provide more than $1.1 trillion in mortgage purchases for minority homebuyers this decade.
According to a 2002 HUD study, meeting the President's goal to close the gap will entail $256 billion in economic activity in the form of construction and remodeling jobs, spending on household goods, and other benefits.

In Focus: Californians Benefit from the President's Policies

In California alone, nearly 11 million taxpayers are receiving tax relief under the Jobs and Growth Act of 2003.

Taxes have been cut for 2.7 million small-business owners in California.
The marriage penalty has been reduced for nearly 4 million California couples.
The child tax credit has increased for 2.8 million California families.
The Jobs and Growth Act of 2003 is providing needed tax relief for families and businesses in California through the acceleration of tax relief, elimination of the double tax on corporate dividends, and new incentives for businesses to grow.

The President's actions are making a difference.


http://www.georgewbush.com/Compassion/Read.aspx?ID=2063

:eyes:

[Freddie Stubbs]

62. He stands for earned tax credits for the working poor

http://www.gavinnewsom.com/pdfs/brief_eitc.pdf

[Tinoire]

75. Ah yes! The Working Poor! Good Point again!

The President’s Economic Security Agenda

On May 28, 2003, President Bush signed into law a bold jobs and growth plan to strengthen America's economy and ensure its continued growth.

The House and Senate acted in a bipartisan fashion to make the President’s tax relief plan a reality for American families, seniors, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. In passing a jobs and growth plan, the administration has taken aggressive action to strengthen the foundation of our economy so that every American who wants to work will be able to find a job.

The President’s Jobs and Growth Act of 2003 will create jobs and grow the economy by:

Speeding up the 2001 tax cuts to increase the pace of economic recovery and job creation
Encouraging job-creating investment in America’s businesses by providing dividend and capital gains tax relief and giving small businesses incentives to grow
Providing $20 billion in aid to States for necessary services
The President’s tax relief will allow the American people to keep more of their own money to spend, save and invest; encourage individuals and businesses to make new investments that will lead to economic growth and job creation; and deliver critical help to unemployed citizens.


Read Complete Issue Brief http://www.georgewbush.com/economy/

:eyes:

[Freddie Stubbs]

63. He stands for increasing resources for underporforming schools

http://www.gavinnewsom.com/pdfs/brief_education.pdf

[RPG-7]

64. He runs with a D by his name

If he stood for killing your first born son you would back him, mission recieved.

[Freddie Stubbs]

72. But he doesn't stand for killing my first born son

He does stand for increasing resources for underporforming schools. Do you oppose this stand?

[Tinoire]

76. Excellent Point!

Leave No Child Behind



President Bush promised to make educating every child his top domestic priority and reform a system that has failed the most needy students in our nation's classrooms. He proposed a comprehensive, bipartisan plan to improve overall student performance and close the achievement gap between rich and poor students in America's more than 89,599 public schools. The President’s No Child Left Behind Act was passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority and is already showing results for America’s children. The No Child Left Behind Act helps parents, educators and children by:

Supporting Early Learning: No Child Left Behind targets resources for early childhood education so that all youngsters get the right start on reading and math.
Measuring Student Performance: A student's progress in reading and math must be measured in each of grades 3 through 8 and at least once during high school.
Providing Information for Parents: States and school districts must give parents detailed report cards on schools and districts, explaining which are succeeding and why.
Giving Options Over Failing Schools: Children will no longer be trapped in failing schools. If a school continues to fail some children will be able to transfer to higher-performing local schools, receive free tutoring or attend after-school programs.
Ensuring More Resources for Schools: Today, public schools spend an average $7,000 a year per student. Under President Bush’s leadership federal funding for education has increased 59.8% from 2000 to 2003.


Read Complete Issue Brief

http://www.georgewbush.com/Education/

:eyes:

[Freddie Stubbs]

82. Then he should get along fine with that right-winger Ted Kennedy

[resident bunnypants]

87. I think the reason some decent Democrats supported this guy

is that they didn't want the party to look like shit again in Kalifohhniia.

[Freddie Stubbs]

65. He stands for expanding health coverage for low income youth

http://www.gavinnewsom.com/pdfs/HEALTHYKIDS_PB2.pdf

[resident bunnypants]

67. I was really wondering what he stood for.

Not what his campaign site says. If you look at Bush's site he stands for many of those things doesn't he. Look I hope I'm wrong and his supporters are right. I gain nothing by having another Democrat turned corporate whore. I guess only time will tell.

[Tinoire]

80. Best of all! Bush administration pledges to work with SF mayor on homeless

Bush administration pledges to work with SF mayor on homelessness
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - The Bush administration's director of homelessness has pledged to work with San Francisco's new mayor to end chronic homelessness, a newspaper reported.

Millions of dollars in federal and private funds could be channeled to the city if it comes up with a comprehensive 10-year plan, said Philip Mangano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

"We stand ready to deepen our partnership with San Francisco," Mangano wrote in a letter to The San Francisco Chronicle after the paper published a series last week on the city's homelessness crisis. "With some of our nation's most creative responses to homelessness in place, San Francisco is positioned to demonstrate that if there's a will, there's a way to end this national disgrace."

Mangano said that the Bush administration plans to spend $200 million next year on initiatives related to homelessness and would like to see San Francisco compete for those dollars. More than 60 cities, including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York have already committed to similar plans.

Mangano said he would like to see a plan that focuses on developing "supportive housing," or complexes that offer services other than shelter, such as counseling for residents with substance abuse and mental illness.

<snip>

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7440659.htm

THE USS HOMELESS

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[FredScuttle]

94. so, the fact that Gonzalez applauded the offer as well

means nothing right? Why bother with the facts when we can smear the Democrat!

BTW, Newsom is also in favor of rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders. Do you have a cute Bush response for that?

[Tinoire]

95. Of course he is. Newsom is gay. What do you expect him to say?

That he's against gay rights and in San Francisco at that- where everyone knows this?

You're surely not falling for the window-dressing on his arms are you?

This would be too funny if it weren't so sad.

[Blitz]

97. Newsom is gay???

Now you're just being silly. "Window dressing." Nice term for his wife of two years.

That bitter post is funny AND sad.

[Tinoire]

99. Please. I live up here. I party up here.

There are few secrets in the SF gay community and that's not one of them.

[Blitz]

102. I live up here

I party up here. I don't think that Newsom is gay and neither do any of the people that I know (gay and straight).

Here's a news flash. The fact that you and your friends happen to prefer to sleep with people of your own gender doesn't give you some kind of magical insight about people who you really don't know. What? You heard from somebody who heard from somebody that Gavin was seen getting down at The Café? Was he seen in his best party-chaps at the End-Up? Please. Unless you have something in the way of proof, your unsupported declaration, based only on the fact that you "party up here" is something less than pathetic.

Gavin Newsom supports gay rights because he's a good man doing the right thing. That doesn't square with your hatred of him and his supporters so, obviously, you label him with the ever-popular "closeted-gay-man guilt." "Yeah, that'll explain why the bastard supports us!!"

Mayor Newsom. Get used to it.

[Tinoire]

104. Like I could care less what he is or who he does

My point is that he's not doing anything exceptionally brave or exceptionally liberal by having that one stance.

You believe whatever you want to believe and I'll believe what I already know. It has nothing to do with magical insight. News Flash for you.

[FredScuttle]

98. A response escapes me

how did I miss this in the Chronicle story of his life? "Hunky Supe Leads Double Life...Hetero DINO by Day, Raving Queen by Night". I guess you'll tell me that Tom Cruise is gay too!

His sexual orientation is not my concern here....since you were so busy equating Newsom's platform to (Candidate) Bush's, I was curious if you had a response to Newsom's support for LGBT rights. You don't have one because your laughable attempt to equate Newsom with Bush is almost wholly without merit.

Also, no response on Gonzalez applauding the same Bush administration offer that you raked Newsom over the coals for endorsing. Duly noted

[Tinoire]

100. This would not be the first response that has escaped you. n/t

[FredScuttle]

110. Ah....the evasion continues

A third response and no response to the FACT that your darling golden boy, Matt Gonzalez, endorsed the exact same proposal from the Bush administration that you seem to have such a problem with Gavin Newsom endorsing.

I'll assume, on this third pass, that you're not going to comment because you have nothing to say on this. It's always OK to admit when you're wrong...I've done it. No shame in it, really!

The hypocrisy of the Newsom-bashing Greens today is stunning....continue bashing Newsom as some Repuke operative while those of us who live in the real world continue our lives.

[IndianaGreen]

116. Gaydar says Newsom is gay

in which case he is lying about his sexual orientation in the same way he lies about the corporations he sleeps with.

[FredScuttle]

125. Newsom molests collies!

Gavin Newsom molests defenseless pets just like he will molest the poor in SF...prove that he doesn't!

We are now officially off the tracks of sane discourse.

edit: misspelling

[Iverson]

83. re: your ending question

"San Francisco was supossed to be a liberal bastion. Are we to give that up too?"

When a party runs against its base, what do you think the logical result will be?

Sorry to answer your question with a question, but it's better for you to arrive at it on your own, and you might even come up with a different conclusion than I have. Cheers.

[resident bunnypants]

84. It was entirely rhetorical.

[Iverson]

85. BTW, welcome to DU.

Had I been a bit sharper and taken your question as rhetorical only, I might also have been quicker to note your number of posts.

Welcome aboard, and I hope your time here is rewarding.

:toast:

[loudnclear]

69. I guess Clinton still has some influence. But is this good for us?

I am not well informed on the issues in this case. Can someone explain?

[FredScuttle]

96. In a nutshell

a moderate liberal Democrat beat a fervent liberal Green

it's not liberal utopia, but it's not the end of the world either (except if you talk to some of the Greens on this thread)

[monobrau]

89. At least Brown is out

Whatever. At least scumbag Willie is out of a job.

[IrateCitizen]

90. A Democratic Party victory, but a loss for democracy (nt)

[Freddie Stubbs]

92. But isn't Democracy about what the people want?

And more people voted for Newsom than the Green candidate.

[IrateCitizen]

119. And what were the final campaign expenditure totals?

I'd bet that Newsom outspent Gonzalez by at least 5 to 1.

Sorry, but I don't believe that someone who champions real-estate developers over the desperate lack of affordable housing is about "democracy". Neither is advocating that the city's homeless be placed on a barge and shipped out of the city.

The difference between you and I, Freddie, is that my top priority is "little-d" democracy. As in true democratic process. Your top priority is the Democratic Party -- which, increasingly, has less and less to do with true "little-d" democracy.

[Freddie Stubbs]

120. And Al Checcchi outspent Gray Davis in 1998

Gov Checchi cettainly bought that election too. He spent $40 million dollars as opposed to Davis, who's campaign spent $12 million.

What is Democracy? Let's ask Mirriam-Webster:

1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

You may not agree with all of Newsom's policies. But apperently the voters of San Fransisco prefered him to his opponent.

[Mikhale]

91. Did I miss something?

Amidst the bickering of Green versus Democrat (above) in the mayoral race, please note that the long-time incumbent District Attorney was defeated in his bid for re-election by a "progressive". I'm not saying a Green; I'm quoting the article: a "progressive". I would suggest an exploration into Gonzalez's coat-tails before this thread in played out. Think about that in 2004 without a "progressive" on the national ballot....

[KamaAina]

105. Drat. I was half ready to get back up there and help Matt make The City

into the showcase for progressive ideals we hoped it could be, once.

Now Newsom'll just sell off any prime property that may be left to some poor, undernourished developer, and no doubt, replace Muni woth a fleet of chauffeured limos. :-)

Technical note: Apparently Matt got the most votes at the ballot box. What did him in was -- again -- absentee ballots (see under Mondale, Walter). Isn't there a better way to make voting accessible than to basically lock in people's votes weeks before Election Day?

[Freddie Stubbs]

106. You are assuming that those who voted by absentee

would have changed thier mind. Perhaps Newsom had a campaign organization with was better at identifying supporters and getting them to vote absentee.

[FredScuttle]

111. Gee, what a shame....

I guess we'll just have to make do with a mayor that supports the rights of LBGT, women, minorities, small businesses, the elderly, the working poor. How will our liberal oasis survive?!

As to your point about absentee votes....just because Newsom garnered more absentee ballots than Gonzalez, are you suggesting that we eliminate them? Are you serious? I voted absentee twice for Clinton and would have hated to see those LEGAL votes thrown out. Of course, we can always revisit 2000 to talk about legal votes being thrown out.

I wouldn't dare call you a fascist, but come on! Throwing out absentee voting? And where is your proof that Gonzalez got more votes at the ballot box?

[unbrand]

121. Please see #28 above

There's an awful lot of info (and strong opinion) in this thread, so it's easy to miss stuff.

Cheers.

[KamaAina]

122. All I am suggesting is that the absentee process may be flawed

when, according to unbrand's analysis upthread, more than a quarter of all votes cast in this election were cast absentee. This tends to blunt the momentum of a fast-closing campaign like Gonzalez', who really had no other option because of the money factor. This unprecedented level of absentee voting gives a huge advantage to well-funded campaigns, like those of Newsom, Norm Coleman (MN), Linda Lingle (HI; first Repuke gov in 40 years), and of course, Bush*. These kinds of campaigns (most often Repuke) can afford to get on the air early and often. The only strategy available to an underfunded insurgent like Gonzalez is a massive push right before Election Day -- but with nearly 30 percent of the votes already cast, it's futile.

Me? A fascist? With fascists like that, who needs progressives? Since we're talking about SF, how about a creative solution, like "Votemobiles" that would cruise the neighborhoods on Election Day? Of course, better access to polling places for voters with disabilities would help, but the Help America Vote Act isn't it; all HAVA is is a Trojan horse for Black Box Voting.

That way the absentee ballot could continue to serve its original purpose: ensuring the vote to those who may be away from their place of residence on business, in college, at military service or whatever.

[Freddie Stubbs]

123. Grassroots campiagns can use absentees to thier advantages also

If a campaing has a large base of volunteers, these volunteers can go door-to-door to identify supporters. These supporters can be given absentee ballot applications. I'm sure that any well organized presidential campaign with a large base of volunteers will do the same. ;-)

[Retrograde]

124. Why blame the process

instead of the people who don't bother to vote or keep up on civic issues that affect them? It is easy to vote in California, ridiculously so when I think back to when I first registered and voted in New York shortly after the voting age was lowered to 18.

There's nothing to keep the Greens - or the AIP or Natural Law or any other 3rd party - from cultivating absentee voters. An example: for a city election last November south of San Francisco a group advocating a certain ballot measure sent absentee ballot applications - preprinted with the voters' names and addresses (public information, after all) to all registered households. Did everything but lick the stamp for me. I sent it in because 1) I had very strong feelings about another ballot issue and 2) I wasn't entirely sure I'd be home during polling hours that day and I didn't want to inadvertently not vote.

Even if you do have an absentee ballot, you can still fill it out and turn it in at any polling place in the county. You can even apply to be a permanent absentee voter. As I said, it is NOT difficult to vote in California.

I followed the SF elections because SF controls my water supply. From that point of view I was leaning a bit towards Newsom, but overall neither was a completely bad - or completely great - candidate.

I did find it interesting, though, that the number of Gonzalez signs along the streetcar lines dwarfed the number of Newsom ones.

linda

[MaryBear]

109. I'm curious, Freddie Stubbs,

that a Pennsylvanian is so ardently involved in a discussion of San Francisco politics. You do make Newsom look good.

[Freddie Stubbs]

115. I like to support Democratic candidates

And Newsom was the Democratic candidate. This race could ahve had national reverberations had the green candidate won. Fortunately that did not happen.

[cigarstore]

114. The Greens were out spent by millions and millions

So much for the so-called "people's party".

[sujan]

117. I don't support Newsom

He was an inferior candidate, people who elected him will suffer the consequences.