The Committee then moved to the District 8 race to succeed Bevan Dufty. As the only progressive candidate running, Rafael Mandelman had the edge. On the first round of voting, he grabbed 18 votes – one more than necessary. David Chiu, who I had heard from a few sources was a “wild card,” voted for Mandelman. But the real surprise was State Senator Leland Yee – who has endorsed Rebecca Prozan, but was the 18th vote.As SFGate puts it: "Mandelman...walked away from the vote a happy man, noting that candidates who have the backing of the Democratic Party more often than not win their races."
Immediately after this vote, DCCC member Scott Wiener congratulated Mandelman for getting the Party’s endorsement – and said he would not be seeking the “second place” vote for the District 8 nod. “I’m running for first-place,” he said, “and I intend to win.” With Wiener out of the picture, Prozan easily secured the “second choice” endorsement.
It became clear that a deal had been struck, with one moderate politico telling me that Rebecca Prozan had “back-stabbed Scott.” Another way of putting it is Mandelman had to secure the endorsement, and Prozan delivered Leland Yee. And while it’s true that Mandelman only needed 17 votes to prevail, perhaps David Chiu didn’t want to be the 17th vote. Regardless, now progressives are going to feel beholden to Leland Yee.
[BeyondChron: Cronyism Makes a Comeback at SF Democratic Party ]
[SFGate: Who got the endorsement of SF Demo Party?]
Scott's back has been stabbed before. He'll be ok.
ReplyDeleteWeiner is going to win, even with the "Progressive Machine" acting as if the ends apparently always justify the means, a la Peskin and Daly. Let's finally elect someone smart and well educated who has worked in both non-profit and for profit life, and who cares deeply about District 8, not just a person who cut a sleazy back room deal for a group literally no one has heard of.
ReplyDeleteScott Wiener campaign ad seen here...
ReplyDeletehttp://sfist.com/2010/08/18/reviewing_board_of_supervisor_candi.php
Sean, your post is long on bile and short on facts - something that is becoming typical of the Weiner campaign (though, thankfully, not of Scott himself).
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of good reasons to support Scott, but that isn't one of them. Rafael has been working in the private sector at a for profit firm for years and he has extensive experience with nonprofits. Bill Hemenger is likewise a very skilled businessman (though I'm not sure if he has any nonprofit experience). All the candidates have advanced degrees (except Hemenger) and all are smart people.
Rebecca, Rafael, Scott and Bill Hemenger all care deeply about the district and have all shown that they're interested in making things better. They just have different opinions about how to go about doing that. I really hope that these sorts of personal attacks don't become a trademark of the Weiner campaign.
something that is becoming typical of the Weiner (sic) campaign...
ReplyDeleteCan you point to some examples? Just curious.
Full disclosure - I'm currently leaning far enough to voting to Scott Wiener that I have one of his signs in my window.
Murph - "I spell it wIEner"
http://www.muniridervoterguide.org/?p=60
ReplyDeleteMandelman is Aaron Peskin's political puppet. He fights dirty, and I have seen him cast dissenting votes on his current committee for no other apparent reason than to get back at people who have crossed Peskin. I don't care who wins, just not Mandelman.
ReplyDelete