… I'd bet Supervisor Chris Daly will announce that he will
NOT run for mayor, but you won't read his final announcement here.
Daly told Fog City yesterday he was giving the
scoop to the Bay Guardian once he's finally made up his mind.
Tick-tock, tick-tock...
"Off the record, I haven't decided yet. On the record, I
haven't decided yet," is what the wiley fox told Fog City
by phone.
Despite filing a declaration of intent to run, and despite a
long drawn out 'should I or shouldn't I?' meeting at the San Francisco
Green Party headquarters last night, after Daly adds up all the
pros and cons he will ultimately put
his family first and will not run.
It's just a hunch, but you heard it here first.
Elephant Talk
Update 10:45 p.m: Supervisor Chris Daly announces he's
not running for mayor, releases statement to the Bay
Guardian and tells Fog City, "your hunch was good."
Progressive Allies and Friends,
For the past 6.5 years, we have enjoyed strong progressive
politics in San Francisco. Progressive San Francisco has delivered
a new era of worker’s rights with the nation’s highest
minimum wage, universal health coverage, and paid sick days. Requiring
significant amounts of affordable housing and other public benefits,
we’ve made development work for communities. We've set the
agenda on workers' rights, housing, health care, city services,
transportation, and the environment. Our political opponents,
even holding the office of Mayor, have been on the defensive.
Despite our political strength and its marquis standing in
local political races, it's clear that we've had difficulty engaging
in this year's Mayor's race. Progressives share a principled critique
of the personality-driven politics practiced by our opponents.
We elevate the issues important to everyday people above our own
political advancement and personal self interest. We are right
to do so. Unfortunately, this does not always translate well into
the mainstream and corporate-controlled media.
For the better part of a year, I felt a great deal of responsibility
to find a strong progressive candidate for Mayor, all the while
acknowledging that I was not our best possible candidate. There
were discussions, caucuses, lunches, and even a Progressive Convention
aimed at compelling a progressive entry into the race.
With news last week of the final potential candidate forgoing
the race, I decided to take another look at making a run.
This past week Progressive San Francisco produced a flurry
of activity about that possibility. I was heartened and inspired
that so many were willing to step up in the face of significant
odds. Dozens of you dropped what you were doing to spend hours
on end with me this week. Hundreds pledged your support.
The outpouring gave me hope that we do have what it takes
to take back Room 200 and deliver social and economic justice
to San Francisco.
However, I have decided not to file a candidacy for the Office
of Mayor.
Given the negative, million-dollar campaign against me last
year, there was never a question that this Mayor's race would
be brutal. The incumbent promised as much in a meeting this week.
Our ideas are better, and I was committed to running a campaign
about our issues. But most of us had reservations about whether
we'd ever be able to achieve resonance on the issues against the
tide of hits, personal attacks, and media hype of the Newsom vs.
Daly personality clash.
Sarah and I arrived at last night's meeting with the intention
of announcing my entry into the race and were moved by everyone's
willingness to act on faith. When I called on progressives for
support for a Mayoral run, progressives responded. But I also
sensed that the reservations in the room were real.
Progressives are certainly ready to vie for the Mayor's seat,
but, unfortunately, I am not the right candidate.
There is some good news. Progressives are much stronger than
we were the last time we didn't field a challenger for Mayor.
Back in '83, the progressive movement had not recovered from the
Milk/Moscone assassinations and the subsequent repeal of district
elections. Dianne Feinstein enjoyed great popularity after soundly
squashing a recall effort. She went on to easily win reelection
later that year.
Four years later it appeared as if downtown's reign would
continue with the front-running candidacy of John Molinari. His
bid, however, was upset when Art Agnos united San Francisco's
left with a disciplined, sustained, and effective campaign.
We all know that electoral work is just a part of the overall
effort we need to put forth. There is no substitute for the basics
of organizing and serving our people so they can live with dignity.
I will always remain committed to the struggle and to building
progressive politics and people power in San Francisco for the
years to come.
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