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Politics As Usual Defeats Daly in Race for Region 4 Director

Written by Luke Thomas. Posted in News, Politics

Published on April 27, 2009 with 56 Comments


Politics as usual: Incumbent August Longo wins applause
from supporters following his victory over challenger Supervisor Chris Daly
in the race for California Democratic Party Region 4 Director.
Photos by Luke Thomas

By Luke Thomas

April 27, 2009

In a battle won by the forces of protectionism and retribution, San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly tasted for the first time Saturday the bitterness of political defeat.

“I walked into the Democratic establishment buzz saw,” Daly told FCJ following his defeat to incumbent August Longo in what became a referendum on Daly in the race for Region 4 Director of the California Democratic Party. “Mark Leno didn’t just deliver the candidate’s speech on behalf of the incumbent, he joined with Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Jackie Speier, and Assemblymembers Fiona Ma and Jerry Hill in ordering discipline in their voting blocks against me.”

“Kamala Harris teamed with Newsom operatives on the phones,” Daly added.

By all accounts, it was a race Daly could not win despite Longo’s reported criminal history and bearing the reputation of being a placeholder vote for California Democratic Party Chair John Burton on the Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC); an important electoral body wrested from Party moderate control last year by Daly.

“The reality is, August Longo started months ago,” DCCC Chair Aaron Peskin said. “Chris Daly started ten days ago,” adding that Longo lined up his delegate endorsement commitments in January.

But, in reality, Daly’s late entrance to the race does not begin to tell half the story that helps to explain why Daly received 28 votes to Longo’s 77.

“[Daly's] just pissed too many of the wrong people off,” said one observer who requested not to be sourced, “and political payback is always a bitch in this game.”

That payback came in the form of retribution from an infuriated Larry Mazzola Jr., whose appointment to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway Transportation District (GGTD) commission was rejected by a 6-5 vote by the Board of Supervisors on the grounds Mazzola is unqualified and lacks the necessary experience to represent the City and County of San Francisco on important bridge and transportation projects.

Unwilling to accept his defeat gracefully, Mazzola rounded up the building trades troops to protest last week’s annual San Francisco Democratic Party “Unity” Luncheon, a protest that focused attention on labeling Daly and Peskin “union busters,” despite Daly’s record of supporting working families and labor causes.


Local 38′s Larry Mazzola Jr. leads a protest against “union busters”
outside the San Francisco Drake Hotel.

Mazzola’s venom for Daly didn’t end there; it spilled out onto the California Democratic Party convention floor in Sacramento, with Mazzola orchestrating a leafleting campaign against Daly.

“Don’t vote for Daly,” the Local 38 leaflet began. “Labor loses seat held for 50 years because of Chris Daly’s personal vendetta… against a labor union which opposed his election two years ago.”

True, Daly did oppose Mazzola’s appointment to the GGTD and that opposition was, in part, politically motivated, no more or less so than any other political appointment. But along with Supervisor David Campos, Daly asked labor to forward for consideration a qualified labor applicant, a compromise offer the house of labor stubbornly refused.

Other delegates said Daly is the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons, a political firebrand who would use the position of Regional Director to advance his Progressive brand of politics, a would be threat to the establishment status quo.

“This is not a political position,” said DCCC member Hene Kelly when asked why she supported Longo.

“This is an administrative job,” opined California Senator Mark Leno during a three-minute speech made on behalf of Longo, at Longo’s request. “It’s a job that requires that when the Party makes a decision – whether one likes it or not – it must be executed. That’s the job of the Regional Director, and August has done it very, very well.”


Senator Mark Leno shakes Larry Mazzola Jr’s hand
with Hene Kelly (right).


Mark Leno speaks on behalf of August Longo (left).

“I think the main difference between Chris and I is that Chris has a political agenda that he thinks he wants to bring to the job,” Longo said following his re-election, “and I don’t think that’s what the Regional Director does.”

Listing his political priorities during his alloted three-minute speech before delegates, Daly said that during his three terms as District 6 Supervisor he has implemented an “aggressive, unapologetically Democratic agenda of affordable housing, public health care, immigrant rights, environmental stewardship, and, yes, big wins for working San Franciscans,” including mandatory paid sick days “for almost all San Francisco employers.”


Supervisor Chris Daly

Daly stressed his political activism “working on the some of San Francisco’s and this country’s toughest social issues” to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society.

“Then, like millions of others last year, with a movement within the Party for change, I was re-energized,” he said. “Change isn’t easy, but the fact that change is sometimes difficult doesn’t make it any less important, or any less necessary.”

Undeterred by his defeat, Daly told FCJ today: “Demonstrated on the Convention floor Sunday morning, change within the CDP will have to be taken, it won’t be delivered.”

Luke Thomas

Luke Thomas

Luke Thomas is former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, has published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521.

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Newer Comments →
  • Ruth R. Snave

    The headline – “Politics As Usual” – is right on target.

    On one hand, we have the Feinstein-Newsom machine, backing a felon. On the other hand, we have the Peskin-Daly machine backing a bully.

    We miss you now more than ever, Harvey.

  • mwbsf

    Despite strong machine efforts, 1A and other props were not endorsed and the reform candidate for controller won, but Daly didn’t get a lot of those reform votes evidently. There were union members who support him up there too. Why did he do that with just 10 days to round up votes? Not very politically astute either.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_chris_daly.shtml Chris Daly

    What is it to call someone you don’t really know a “bully”?

    I too wish Harvey Milk were still around. Often times I wonder how publicly maligned he would have been if his life and political career weren’t cut down so tragically.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_chris_daly.shtml Chris Daly

    As for political acumen, I think it’s ok to lose sometimes, especially if that loss sets up a better political dynamic moving forward. Grassroots activists have been engaging the CDP heavily (and losing some votes) for 5 years.

    Given how the Region 4 race played out, an earlier entry would have only helped if it was much earlier, and we focused on progressive wins in the AD caucuses. Even with that kind of effort, this thing would have been uphill due to all of the superdelegate appointments from the statewide and federal electeds.

    I think that the only winning path in this race would have been to strongly go negative on my opponent. However, I refused to do that, even while I was getting rocked by the opposition.

  • marc

    When Gonzalez asked me to write up the resolution that led to the Milk memorial in City Hall, I researched up Harvey Milk. He was not a liberal, leftist or a progressive. Milk was a populist.

    What was the phrase folks used to describe people who put words into Milk’s mouth post mortem back in the day? Necrophile ventriloquists?

    -marc

  • Matt Stewart

    Chris,

    If it’s any consolation, I think that you are far more effective as an activist that works along side the Democratic Party rather than in it.

  • schwartz

    Chris,

    The reality is that you are prone to boorish and buffonish outbursts and yes you are a bully. While your passion is to be admired, you undermine the progressive movement in several ways. Remember the e-mail sent to Arlo Smith before the DCCC vote for chair?

    And yes I do know you. I walked the streets for your first election.

    You told me on a few occasions that you were building a progressive movement in The City. But how come it’s your name on every ballot? For Supervisor? For DCCC? For Obama delegate (where you failed and became an alternate)? and now Regional Director? Whre again you were destroyed and frankly publicly humiliated.

    Remember it’s the progressive movement NOT the Daly movement.

    You attempted to take control of the DCCC and they rejected your candidacy for the Regional Director. Apparently they believed August Longo was better suited. Yet you still went forward to win the race. Pull yourself together.

    How come you never listen. A little less talking and alot more listening would help you out. And congratulations, you are doing your best to split the labor movement in The City.

    Thanks for re-energizing the moderates.

    Chris, you have undermined our progressive ideals. Move away from demagoguery and embrace democracy.

    Allow me to be the first to say, thank you for your time and your passion. But it’s time for you to step aside and let Debra Walker take over 6. You have had your chance, you blew it.

    Debra has the opportunity to mend the fences and she has the support of delegates at the State level.

    It’s time for Debra to shine. Chris, go before you are pushed.

  • jabber_jabber

    When it comes right down to it being a San Francisco progressive is loving the idea of people, not actually loving people. Daly’s tantrums and antics is what makes him an exemplar of that ethos.

    The convoluted views on liberalism of “progressives” make a mockery of real liberalism, main stream democrats (I don’t know if winner is such) get enlightenment philosophy much better than true believers. Daly should bring a divining rod on his outings to show off for the people.

    The basis of modern democracy isn’t outshouting and berating your enemies while drawing ever changing play ground allegiances that last till the next studied outrage.

    True believers like Daly are just born again Christian’s or neo conservatives from the left in their entitled thinking methodology and constant studied moral outrage.

    The same guy who does studied outrage over some “rights” while attempting to ban the guns of citizens of the city can’t possibly be taken seriously by anyone but other true believers.

    The bizarre selective view how the world works is best left to jesus freaks but Daly gives them a run for their money, I once watched with disbelief on cable access as Daly cited the UN’s useless and universally ignored to views on something or another, while he willfully insists that we ignore the laws of the USA concerning immigration. This weird cherry picking is what makes SF liberals the laughing stock of all but the people you see ranting on Market street.

    Carpet bagger go home.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_h_brown.shtml Harold Brown

    Hey Chris,

    Jabber and Schwartz are idiots as we all know although I haven’t heard of Schwartz before. You walked the streets for Chris in 2000? Made a couple of bucks since then? Why the hell didn’t you walk the streets for me in 2000? Or, Joan Roughgarden? Or, Denise D’Anne? Or, Hank Wilson? Or, Marc Salomon?

    They were all better candidates than Chris. But, hey, the proof is in the pudding and Daly has been the voice of the poor and diversification for 8 years. It turns out that none of us could (with possible exception of Salomon) done anywhere near as good a job as Chris did.

    District 6 has always been the front lines for/against gentrification, and Chris faced a totally unstoppable (given Brown and Newsom) forces. He divided and conquered and got as much as was humanly possible out of the wave of developers.

    The Longo (and, congrats August – I won’t be giving you my PIN number only because I don’t have one) … the Longo vote did one thing for me. It showed me the reactionary face of the CA Democratic party and I wasn’t surprised.

    Rule one: John Burton is not Phil.
    Rule two: Mark Leno is the undertaker/coffin sales exec. of the SF Democratic oligarchy. Feinstein was obviously no surprise. Speier was a bit.

    Bottom line is Peskin and Daly were pure genius in grabbing control of the local party apparatus. Outside SF, the reactionary regime retains total control. These are the people who paid to bring in Al Gore to endorse Newsom against Gonzalez.

    Democrats and Republicans are the past. While I bounce from party to party registration-wise to do favors for friends, or be an army of one against enemies, I am basically what America has become and where the real power lies.

    I’m none of the above.

    ‘Decline to State’ here.

    h.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_chris_daly.shtml Chris Daly

    If speaking forcefully against injustice is “boorish” and “buffonish” (sic), then I guess you’ve got me pegged. However, I think it a bit simple to just regurgitate downtown’s knock on me without investigation, further thought, and contextualization. You reference a single email that I sent– that I stand by to this day. Hale Smith ran for the DCCC talking about democratic reform, but his voting record has supported the status quo. I will ask progressive organizations to not endorse Hale next time because of this. That’s not undermining the progressive movement, that’s defending it!

    My name on every ballot? In 8.5 years, I have been on the ballot 5 times. Supervisor 4 times including my first run-off and DCCC once. (I had to be convinced to stand for reelection the final time.) I have run in 2 internal partisan races for Obama Delegate and Regional Director. I actually won the Delegate race (although an Alternate, I was bumped up to voting Delegate for the actual nomination.) You should also keep in mind that if I didn’t run for Regional Director, the incumbent would have been named with no election held.

    By my count, in the same time there’s been 20 elections with numerous races and even more partisan races. Progressives did take control of the DCCC, and it’s a good thing too. I believe that move was critical to helping progressive retain control of the Board of Supervisors.

    In terms of building the progressive movement, I’ve dedicated much more of my time to this than running for office (although I believe they are not mutually exclusive.) While we were not able to sustain the SF People’s Organization for the long haul, it wasn’t for a lack of effort, but for complicated politics between labor, community, and other progressive groups.

    As for Labor, if you’re going to point fingers, I’m not sure how you blame me for the split and not someone like Andy Stern. But the truth is that there’s always been contention within organized Labor between more progressive and more reactionary forces. With that said, let’s take a look at what I’ve done to “split” Labor — support the community most affected by development proposals and ask for basic qualification for appointments to important Commissions. Labor should be doing the exact same thing.

    Meanwhile, my progressive track record at City Hall continues to grow. Wins on affordable housing, health and human services, immigrant rights, the environment, etc.

    Finally, let me say that I really like Debra Walker. I also like James Keys and Jim Meko and Paul Hogarth. It’s affirming that so many good, community-based progressives are stepping forward to be the next District 6 Supervisor. I plan to get behind the strongest and best progressive candidate(s) for Supervisors after they have had some time to build their own operations. I’m looking to keep the D6 seat progressive, but I’m not looking to name my successor.

    Cheers!

  • http://criticalcloud.blogspot.com el Greco

    Supv Daly, all I can say is that if you can’t take it, don’t dish it out. Bully? You’ve called people far worse–including people you don’t know.

    All that aside, the reality is (and everyone has known this for years) Chris Daly is not going anywhere in politics outside of the City. This defeat is a demonstration of that.

  • Jerry Jarvis

    “Progressives did take control of the DCCC, and it’s a good thing too”.
    The only difference between a conservative democrat (a.ka. Moderate) and a Republican is the amount of wool in their clothing.
    It takes people like Daly to expose the Republican Party’s intrusion into the Democratic party.

  • Ruth R. Snave

    Chris,

    I’ve watched you up-close for many years. I have personally witnessed the desk pounding, the foul-mouthed shouting, the door slamming, and the storming out of meetings.

    I’ll never forget the one day, in particular, when I witnessed you and Jack McGoldrick standing in front of the press box at the board, with each yelling at each other “Kiss my ass!”

    I also know that you made Bevan Dufty feel that you were about to punch him out at a board meeting, and that you bullied and intimidated Michela Alioto-Pier while she was sitting in a wheel chair.

    It’s not enough for those who claim to be the vanguard of progress to act like twelve-year-old boys who are experiencing their first testosterone rushes.

    Psychological maturity, social skills, and balance are also required.

    Where are they?

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_luke_thomas.shtml Luke Thomas

    Ruth, your subjective interpretations belie reality.

  • jabber_jabber

    “If speaking forcefully against injustice is “boorish” and “buffonish” (sic), then I guess you’ve got me pegged. ”

    Everyone’s philosophy is based on basic points, if one of your basic points is that “injustice” is everywhere and then take out of that equation such things as personal responsibility and accept that everyone who is a professional victim is a victim of “injustice” then I suppose you would be right in your hysterics.

    But in reality, not agreeing with Chris Daly is persecuting him, and his tin foil hat minions.

    - The guy who rants and raves about downtown interests is a sloven SEIU flunky.

    - The guy who cites ignored United Nation’s proclamations voted on by such nations as the Sudan, China and Cuba concerning human rights, while ignoring the laws of the USA is akin to a fan of Pat Robertson who wants to use the bible for adultry laws, or a neo con who cites Ayn Rands fiction on setting tax rates.

    Carpet bagger go home.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_chris_daly.shtml Chris Daly

    It appears that Ms. Snave has been reading the Chronicle. Perhaps she should join the comments section there!

  • chris p

    Luke I hate to say it but Ruth’s summary is the general perception of Chris Daly. He is his own worst enemy. It is too late for him to expect any elected office in Northern California (for the next few years until our collective memories are erased)

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_chris_daly.shtml Chris Daly

    I would like to point out that I agree with chris p. Ruth’s summary is probably the closest thing to the general perception of me. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s accurate.

    People who know me well know the truth. Those who don’t are limited to what’s available in the press, on the net, and from their social circles. Unfortunately, in this region, my public perception is driven largely by the bias of the Chronicle.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_luke_thomas.shtml Luke Thomas

    I hope you’re wrong, Chris P. Whether you like Daly or not, politics benefits from having a cat amongst the pigeons.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_luke_thomas.shtml Luke Thomas

    … and perception is reality. The San Francisco Chronicle doesn’t tell you how to think, but its editors go to great lengths to tell you what to think about.

  • chris p

    It is unfortunate that Chris D’s public image is so tarnished, as I believe he is a force for good. But my opinion is not worth much.
    I think too many people have offered advice along the lines of your a “cat amongst the pigeons”, and “your our arsehole” which may have led Chris to run head long into issues with his passions high, where diplomacy may have reaped more rewards.
    But what do I know I just live and work here.

  • schwartz

    Hi there,

    I am delighted that I have kick started this assessment on Chris Daly’s dontribution to the progressive agenda.

    Before I continue I think it is important to point out that I respect Chris for engaging in this debate. To be fair to him he has never hidden when faced with a challenge (e.g. outside the Unity luncheon last week).

    However, as Chris is participating, perhaps he can answer the following:

    1. Regarding the e-mail to Smith at the time of the DCCC chair debate…on reflection would you have sent the e-mail? Honestly, that’s the day my support for Chris Daly ended.

    2. Are you happy with the way you distorted a mailer in the Leno/Migden race to give the impression that the Guardian supported Migden? I supported Migden strongly in that campaign but had to turn my nose away from the stench created by that underhanded act you organized. Progressive politics is about PRINCIPLE….you lost yours. Leno supporting Longo was not an accident. As Peskin says, payback’s a bitch.

    3. When you stood back in 2000 it was clear that we all know that the developers in the City were not progressive or family friendly. How come you are now courting the support of the Residential Builders Association? Even Frank Jordan walked away from them.

    4. In all the elections you participated in why did you think there was no one else who could have done the job? You are paid to be a city supervisor, not paid to take a vacation in Denver.

    5. If you are a progressive, why did you not allow your supporters to support Quinten Mecke in the mayoral election? You made a couple of appearances for him, but did not get out the progressive vote for him. Afraid he might become a rival? We think so.

    6. Why have you become a stooge for Peskin? Have you wondered how he became President of BOS and chair of DCCC? because he has people to do the dirty work for him e.g. you.

    Ask Peskin who he called on Sunday to congratulate for winning Regional Director position.

    Remember when he kicked you off the budget committee?

    7. Were you aware and did you approve of the e-mail that ws sent out by Wright that brought attention to Longo’s legal history? Every time a person from D6 applies for a job, is it safe to assume that you will be comfortable if we highlight and prevous legal problems? If anyone should be able to applaud redemption, it is the supervisor from D6 where quite a high % of people have had brushes with the law. But WE do not judge them if they have paid their debt to society, but somehow you do.

    This is your chance to condemn gutter politics. Take it.

    8. Do you regret your physical intimidation of Bevan Dufty in the chamber? Is this appropriate behavior? Did you leave down your constituents that day?

    To clear up some points:

    1. Harold, you run for every office and offer nothing. That is why I have never supported you.

    2. Luke, the reason the FCJ struggles to make money (yes I know) is that you present 1 side of the debate. Excellent journalism is based on presenting alternative sides of the debate and relying on the intelligence of the reader. I assume you grew up in England heavily influenced by the tabloid press.

    If you dont change the editorial nature to be more honest, you will always be viewed as a Daly sidekick. Now his future in politics has been sealed, better to start hanging out with more relevant politicians going forward.

    Long live the progressive revolution. Time to take the trash out.

  • Ruth R. Snave

    For the record, my conclusions about Chris Daly are based mostly on what I have personally witnessed at many public events. I’ve taken careful notes at these events and written detailed reports based on what I have personally witnessed.

    I hope to publish these accounts in book form some day. They make for interesting reading about the behavior of San Francisco politicians.

    Other witnesses may have had other observations about Chris Daly and drawn other conclusions. That’s fine with me.

    I encourage all the witnesses will come forward and present their testimony to the public, through whatever venues they may choose.

    Then let the jury – the people of San Francisco – reach their own verdict.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_chris_daly.shtml Chris Daly

    I’m cool with engaging in this forum, even with those that I don’t know, as long as it’s an even exchange. But that doesn’t seem to be what “schwartz” or Ms. Snave are interested in.

    If you scour the internet, you can find either an answer to the questions asked or a sound critique of the underlying assumption. Happy surfing!

  • jabber_jabber

    The Chronicle? No, just watch cable access and Daly’s antics shine through. His sour mug stewing as those beneath him and his values go about the business as running SF into the ground.

    The progressive seems to base much of their philosophy on the Hypocrisy of those too stupid to agree with them.

    Oddly Daly as self appointed progressive lectures on new found rights while attempting to remove them from the citizens of SF as in is goofy gun law that he helped put on the ballot, he in a tantrum also refused to vote for paying the legal bills on this unconstitutional nonsense.

    Reading these odes to himself and those of his worshipers is an exercise in self delusion.

    Any non true believer watching Daly on cable access can see him and his antics, cut out the Chronicle middle man.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_luke_thomas.shtml Luke Thomas

    Schwartz, thank you for your recommendations. I think we’re not the only media outlet that struggles to make money.

    In fact we’re proud citizen journalists calling things as we see them, unbeholden to any corporatate influence, party affiliation, or individuals, including Supervisor Chris Daly.

    Sorry if FCJ’s bias does not mesh with yours.

  • Ruth R. Snave

    We have to be careful in assuming that the poster named “Chris Daly” in this thread is, in fact, the supervisor by the same name.

    Maybe not.

    The last post by “Chris Daly” was made at 3:03 p.m. today. However, the board of supervisors was in session at that time. I’ve been watching it on the Net. Supervisor Daly was present at that meeting.

    So either the poster in this thread is not the supervisor, or else the supervisor is posting on a private chatboard and using a board computer, while the board is conducting city business.

  • schwartz

    Chris, as I suspected, I guess you could not handle the straight talk. If you had appropriate answers, you would give them. Too bad. Each question was an indictment on your record. It stands to be corrected. And let’s be clear, these issues were brought directly to your attention.

    As I stated previously, time for Debra Walker to take over D6 before you diminish the progressive agenda even more.

    Luke, thank you for your response. As you may have noted, I do not carry the burden of bias that has infected the FCJ. On most occasions the FCJ and you personally have failed to evaluate Chris Daly’s record in a balanced and measured manner. You are guilty of what you accuse the Chronicle of. Again, I am not a fan of the chronicle, however reflecting their bias is not the solution. Good journalist assist readers in how to think. The FCJ tells people how to think. There is a huge difference.

    Here is a challenge to you as a citizen journalist credentials: Investigate the questions this citizen has posed to Chris Daly. Or are you afraid of Chris Daly’s rage to reveal the answers?

    Long live the progressive agenda. Time to take the trash out.

  • schwartz

    Ruth, Board of Supes meet on Tuesdays. However the City Operations committee did meet this morning. Daly, Dufty and Alioto-Pier sit on that one. Potential for fireworks there.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_luke_thomas.shtml Luke Thomas

    Schwartz, you’ve gone to great lengths to point out Daly’s shortcomings, and now you’re attacking FCJ in a forum where your true identity is hidden.

  • Ruth R. Snave

    The criticisms made here of Chris Daly are justified. You can’t make a credible claim to be the vanguard of progress when your personal behavior is regressive.

    On the other hand, we shouldn’t lose sight of the failings of those on the rest of the political spectrum. Mayor Gavin Newsom, for example, consists mostly of hype and flash, with little substance.

    His ineptitude as an administrator and manager has resulted in a deterioration of life throughout the city, especially in at-risk and poor neighborhoods.

    Most of the supes are mediocrities, regardless of their political ideology. They prove, once again, that C students rule the world. Most supes, after leaving the board, have contributed little to the common good.

    The city has never had a first-rate district attorney in the 34 years that I’ve lived here.

    Many of the judges are hacks. Look at the latest one – Gerardo Sandoval. Good grief.

    The local Democratic Party is a maze of perks and baronies. The Republican Party has been co-opted by the Religious Right, banks, and real-estate companies. The Green Party is an ongoing Monty Python skit.

    Same with the political clubs. Most are ineffective. The Milk Club has been infiltrated by spinners for drug dealers and stoners.

    The politicians will never save us.

    If anything, we will have to save the city from the politicians.

    The first step is to frankly acknowledge the problem.

  • jtothed

    Shcwartz, today is Tuesday the 28th, so Ruth has posed a good question.

    As for your railings on Luke Thomas, I agree that he is pimping Daly’s agenda. The piece on the “Disunity Party” leads to many questions to those of us who were on that picket line. When was the lead in photo taken? Was it after we had pulled our line? I would bet so.

    Our issues were glossed over as a side story in favor of Mazzola/Daly II(III?), and all photos would lead anybody not following to think this was just plumbers vs. Daly. Not the case.

    Furthermore, for any of you who were not there for the complete first Rules Committee Meeting, you would have missed the Clerk for the City asking Luke, “What are you doing here? You NEVER (emphasis mine) come to the Rules Committee.”

    And his response was,”I wouldn’t miss a circus.” He may deny it, but I was one of three who heard the exchange. This only goes to prove that Daly had intentionally meant to sabotage the Mazzola appointment, that Dave Snyder was a Red Herring to use against the Mazzolas, and that Luke thomas is his stooge. Watch the video of the meeting one more time and you’ll see that Daly has his assistant cueing up the mailer BEFORE Mazzola gets up to speak, thus setting up the tone of the meeting. Not putting my neck out there beyond that, but facts are facts.

    As for Daly, whatever good he has done, and the opinion of that varies from post to post, is being pissed away. He clearly wants to supplant the Burton machine with his own, but he takes the wrong lessons from them. Their success has been built on their ability to find common ground, not by drowning out those who do not agree with them.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_luke_thomas.shtml Luke Thomas

    Jhothed, your post is interesting, but untrue. FCJ has covered many Rules committee meetings and I’m sure FCJ will cover many more.

  • http://sfgop.org Howard Epstein

    For the record – I Chair the S.F. Republican Party and use my full name. My believe is that disagreement is not a synonym for dislike.

    I don’t know Chris Daly. I can’t say if I like him or not. I do disagree with everything he believes and does But, there is never a doubt where he stands or will stand on the issues. His persona doesn’t play well out of D6 and when he’s termed out his political options are limited.

    schwartz – FJC, and most blogs, are not impartial and shouldn’t be. I read FJC to know what the other side is thinking. As with Chris, I disagree with Luke. but there’s never a doubt where he stands. And, I do know him. He’s a good guy to have a drink with a couple times a year.

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_h_brown.shtml Harold Brown

    Well, well,

    Did the Wall close down Arthur?

    h.

  • jtothed

    And one more thing, Chris did walk up and down the line, and many have called him “brave” for it. But that is a shallow argument because he new he was untouchable in that situation, and used it to his advantage, thus showing him to be the opportunist politician we in labor know he is.

    I am a native San Franciscan, the son of immigrants, and a Trade Unionist raised in a Union household. What we were taught at the dinner table was that we were to NEVER, and I mean NEVER, cross a worker’s picket line. Their grievance today might be mine tomorrow.

    That is how San Franciscans acted. Does not matter what the grievance was, merely that another wage earner seeked solidarity from their fellow worker.

    But times have changed, the city politic is filled with Silver Spoon crybabies like Daly that seek to treat San Francisco as their own personal petri dish to conduct experimental governance.

    Why didn’t he take his act into Washington DC, Baltimore, or Philadelphia? Because, unlike the fairly understanding San Francisco natives who let you do your thing, they would have made him a vacant.

    And if you’re looking for proof that he is not the real deal that he says he is, here are three thoughts:

    1. If Daly is so pro-worker, why is he not stopping the Department Managers at the City and County of San Francisco from attempting to gut every collective bargaining agreement in town?

    2. If he was really pro-labor he wouldn’t have crossed the picket line. Remember now, good Union people don’t cross other Unions picket lines, no matter the issue, because it is only in our collective ability to withhold our labor and productitity that we have any shot at strength. He could have easily seized the “higher ground.” Unfortunately, Chris was only concerned about Chris and NEEDED to go inside and kiss some ass for his hopeless attempt at Longo’s seat.

    3. Why has he chummed up to the RBA? THEY are the ones who displaced working class people in the Mission. They are ones who pay their employees off the books, don’t pay overtime, and contribute nothing to pension funds, apprenticeship funds, etc.? It’s because he needs their money to fund his new machine, and proinciples be dammed. Thank Luke Thomas for the photographic evidence. Scroll down and you’ll see Chris arm in arm with Sean Keighran, developer from Hillsborough and head of the RBA.

    http://www.fogcityjournal.com/wordpress/2009/03/16/the-crackberry-chronicles-luck-o-the-irish-edition/

    Look closely people, I see wolves in ‘progressive’ clothing.

    jtothed

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_h_brown.shtml Harold Brown

    If it’s Tuesday this must be the End Up,

    You’re a gentleman, Howard. Always have been. Your buddies (Arthur Evans – Snave and Calys) are cowards who hide behind their handles.

    Bottom line is that Luke’s a Progressive and you’re not. Nothing wrong with that. It’s actually kind of sad to see you guys washed up on the beach here. It’s because you have no audience in that … place, where you hang your thongs.

    Daly rocks. Leno’s running for mayor. So are lots of people. Having run in every race personally from the very beginning (I came close against Moses in the election where the Israelis chose someone to lead them across the desert and, yes I lost, but it took him 40 years and you can walk it today in 2 weeks).

    Hell, I’m gonna do a Murphy and become a Jew. Would you guys love me then?

    h.

  • schwartz

    People,

    This is one of the most useful debates we are having as progressives. And it’s wonderful that the republicans have also joined.

    The key message that has emerged is that Daly has lost sight of his principles. How come he has not answered my questions above? Daly only talks when he has the mic and can shout people down. When the rules of the game change i.e. there is equal chance to speak and express opinion, Little Chris throws his toys out of the playpen and cries for his momma.

    Chris Daly needs to understand a core principle of progressive politics is respect.

    Luke, you need to understand that the value to progressive ideas is balanced observation. You need to be honest with yourself and the readers and call Daly out when he has let us down. Having a pen over your ear and a camera hanging off your neck does not make you a journalist. Honest reporting without fear or favor is the way to go.

    Why will you not take up the challenge and seek answers to the questions I posed?

    And one more question for you: Did yu walk past the picket line to attend the Unity lunch? If anyone should know about picket lines and their symbolism, it is English people. As Thatcher destroyed the labor movement in England, why would you wish to kick dirt in the faces of labor in San Francisco?

    We spent a long time building up this City. try to respect our San Francisco values of Labor, respect, family. And try to be honest.

  • jabber_jabber

    Reading this infighting carping to progressive-ism here, it occurs to me that the main problem with progressive’s view of Daly its not his post modern incoherence, butt his monumental sense entitlement and annoying ravings.

    It seems here that, Daly’s incoherent world view isn’t so bad really, he just is annoying at it. In the mono cultural uni-mind of San Francisco post modernism Daly is faulted for his antics, not his wacky beliefs.

    Daly shouldn’t get abuse for situational ethics where he rants about tax dollars going to possible battleships and JROTC that might offend some delicate citizens, while forcing our equally backward religio conservatives of the city to help foot the bill for suing the state over prop 8.

    I suppose the lack self awareness mixed with self righteousness of a Daly and his progressive minions can be laughed away, but the nakedness of the hypocrisy as they spend so much ear splitting time howling about the hypocrisy of their enemies is tiresome and juvenile.

    Daly and his many co-pseudo tolerant carpet baggers moved here to get away from wherever they came from, they replaced their own authoritarianism persecution status with one they direct towards those peasants to stupid to agree with them and their revealed wisdom.

    Unlike Daly who looks like he is here to stay, this city has a permanent transient college grad population fed on Chomsky and Zinn who come here for a few years to vote in this progressive eden. These people meet someone special and move back to the “intolerant” city they came from because San Francisco is such a hole and magnet for human refuse, who would want to raise a kid here? Thanks to Daly and his kind.

  • Susan Vaughan

    I can’t help but notice that there is not one authentic lady represented amongst all the authors of the 37 comments currently posted! Not a one!

  • http://www.fogcityjournal.com/profiles/profile_luke_thomas.shtml Luke Thomas

    Hey Howard, thanks for the shout out. I look forward to having a drink again soon with you and your band of merry compadres.

    I know we have disagreed on many political topics, but I enjoy discussing them with you.

    It is good to know how the other side is thinking!

  • schwartz

    The Editor of the FCJ acknowleges his republican buddy and ignores the questions from the progressives. Well I’ll be damned. Rock on comrade oops I meant compadre.

    Exposing the lack of substance of the FCJ hasa been alot easier than I had thought.

    Schwartz is going to continue to call it as (s)he sees it (am I authentic enough Sue?).

    If it falls to me to demonstrate what San Francisco stands for, then so be it.

    Everybody, perhaps we need to shine a brighter light on Luke Thomas rather than his organ grinder.

  • Jerry Jarvis

    For those who want to attack Chris on his ability to advance the Progressive agenda, I have this to say: what have you done to advance the Progressive agenda?

    Since we don’t know who you are, I would say nothing. Chris has put his political career last to helping those that don’t usually have a voice in the political arena to be heard. Can’t say that about Pelosi, DiFi, and quite a few other affluent pols.

    Look at today’s BOS compared to what this city had before 2000.

    For those who want to attack Luke on not hosting another view, I say he hosted your biased opinions.

    Many of you miss what the city of Saint Francis means. To me, Progressive politics means that we progress against oppression. Chris has fought against this oppression. Many should be able to lead the battle without being worried if their political sponsors like it. Their political sponsors should already know it.

    And for labor to come out against Chris, who has always been there, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Chris and the rest of his fellow pols have been there more for labor than anytime in the time before 2000. He has been for the working folks that make bare minimum wages to keep a roof and what groceries they can put on the table. He has led the way on making sure that those who live here don’t live in a rat-infested toilet bowl and that greedy landowners don’t price you out during an economic upturn. Many are still living here despite the economic crash dive.

    We ask a lot of our pols, but what are we willing to give them in return? I stick by Chris because he does it from the heart.

    Who else would stand up and shout for you?

    Who else will get up in to some one’s grill for you?

    Only the people who love you.

  • schwartz

    Hi Jerry,

    I think it is important that Chris Daly answers the questions I posed above. They are pretty straight forward and are at the heart of what it means to be progressive. What you and CD fail to understand about the progressive philosophy is the central need for respect. Time both you and CD got to gether and started a political philosophy book club. I recommend you quickly read Kant and his teachings on respect and altruism.

    Progressive politics did not start in 2000. Lots of us have been fighting for progressive values long before it became popular.

    My points about Luke are again pretty straight forward. You cannot rant against the bias of the Chron and then pretend to be offering good journalism. Keeping with the views of who you report on is not journalism, it is propoganda. All it does is reinforce the converted. It does not forward the progressive agenda. Ant psychology 101 book will tell you that.

    Also the ability to take criticism is also central to progressive values. Evcer wonder why revolutions fail? It is because the ego if the leaders becomes more important than the needs of the people. Again, lots of books for you to choose to get that lesson.

    Finally, I agree that CD is a hard worker. However, the message he delivers is severly undermined by how he delivers the message and in how he has engaged in unsavory acts.

    When he passed off the famous “guardian endorsement for MIgden” his credibility suffered enoromously. And guess who ended up giving Migd3en a job? Arnold S? Incredible but true. Therefore Daly lost and Migden still won…because she was happy to have Daly as the fall guy.

    Regarding the DCCC election for chair…again Daly sends out the threatening e-mail…Peskin gets elected…Daly loses the support of the DCCC for Regional Chair. These events are not coincidental.

    Daly is the architect of his own downfall, all his good work is forgotten and all the people he helps to elect dismiss him when needed.

    Sorry, but its time for Debra to take over D6.

  • schwartz

    Jerry, you are confused

  • Jerry Schwartz

    Jerry,

    CD needs to answer the following questions to restore credibility.

    Regarding the e-mail to Smith at the time of the DCCC chair debate…on reflection would you have sent the e-mail? Honestly, that’s the day my support for Chris Daly ended.

    2. Are you happy with the way you distorted a mailer in the Leno/Migden race to give the impression that the Guardian supported Migden? I supported Migden strongly in that campaign but had to turn my nose away from the stench created by that underhanded act you organized. Progressive politics is about PRINCIPLE….you lost yours. Leno supporting Longo was not an accident. As Peskin says, payback’s a bitch.

    3. When you stood back in 2000 it was clear that we all know that the developers in the City were not progressive or family friendly. How come you are now courting the support of the Residential Builders Association? Even Frank Jordan walked away from them.

    4. In all the elections you participated in why did you think there was no one else who could have done the job? You are paid to be a city supervisor, not paid to take a vacation in Denver.

    5. If you are a progressive, why did you not allow your supporters to support Quinten Mecke in the mayoral election? You made a couple of appearances for him, but did not get out the progressive vote for him. Afraid he might become a rival? We think so.

    6. Why have you become a stooge for Peskin? Have you wondered how he became President of BOS and chair of DCCC? because he has people to do the dirty work for him e.g. you.

  • Hope Johnson

    Ditto what Jerry Jarvis wrote. It could not have been said better. Thanks, Jerry, what a fantastic post.

  • Ruth R. Snave

    Chris Daly and his supporters are in denial if they claim there is no pattern of bad behavior with him.

    But there is a deeper problem at work here. It’s the low quality, generally, of people who go into politics in this city.

    SF has an abundance of wonderful people – intelligent, witty, gracious, and loving. But the one trait they most share in common is their repugnance for the city’s political scene. They would rather have root-canal work done than join the fray at City Hall.

    The result is that the politicians and their operatives at City Hall tend to be stupid, humorless, lacking in social skills, and venomous.

    This sodden pattern has infected the entire political spectrum. However, the progressives often feel self-righteous about their dysfunctionality.

    They remind me of many Muni drivers – ineptitude combined with attitude. Who needs it?

    I hope we can figure out a way to regenerate and civilize the city’s political scene.

    Such an effort will have to come from below, from “We the People.”

    It will never come from the politicians and their operatives. They’re all hopeless.

  • marc

    Chris Daly has done a tremendous amount of heavy lifting over the past 8.5 years. The record of narrow pro-labor and much broader pro-worker legislation speaks for itself and will be Daly’s proud legacy as a supervisor.

    But it is also correct that Daly has no intention of broadly organizing in the Saul Alinsky model, where the organizers act as facilitators, supporting others to realize their aspirations. For so many organizers, nonprofits are the pond to their Narcissus.

    In San Francisco, the organizers organize other organizers and call it organizing, the rank and file, grassroots, are not welcome.

    In my areas of activism where there are organizers, transportation and land use, the record of failure stands in stark relief to the political support for progress. In these cases, it is intelligent self defense to call them on their shit.

    The fact that San Francisco is still struggling to implement the 1997 Bicycle Plan given the political power of the cycling community is testament to the potential for dysfunction in this model. Would that it malfunctioned and broke completely, but it still limps along and crimps progress.

    To my mind, this model has also proven broken in the case of the WSOMA Task Force, where progressive land use equity proposals supported by the TF and validated by the broader community several times were nixed at the behest of the Planning Department, developers, lobbyists and their attorneys who don’t seem to have grasped that “housing at all costs” has destroyed our economy as its ravaged our City.

    So when it comes to bringing equity to the process of development, whether it is having developers pay their full freight on the costs of the impacts of their projects or in building the kind of housing that our communities need, Chris Daly has decided that it is okay for timid and ineffective organizers to nip the community in the bud.

    The Eastern Neighborhoods process was similarly ill-played by the remnants of the MAC in the Mission because they paied more attention to themselves than their base.

    Does this make Daly a bad person? Of course not. But it does highlight the tendency amongst organizers to keep their counsel closed, and this phenomenon where unaccountable advocates are able to cut deals on behalf of communities without securing their buy-in has done us more harm than good.

    I used to think this an artifact of the sectarian leftist tradition, but we see it in the progocialite class of enviro activists as well. Note that the SFBC is not a democratic organization, in that the 10,000 members (funny how a 10% discount at Rainbow doubles an organization as progress is stalled) are never meaningfully consulted as to their priorities; self perpetuating staff sets the agenda.

    My take is that the corporate model is wholly inappropriate as a vehicle for democratic grassroots activism.

    This model really represents an aversion to giving up control, to opening up the process to a broader constituency without fear that if the cards fall where they may, they will fall the wrong way. One thing I learned from Gonzalez is to not sweat the small stuff, and most of it is small stuff.

    Finally, for so many termed out politicians, this is all about finding the next landing spot. Odds are that once Jake McGoldrick’s 1 year lobbying limit is over, he’ll be pimping for one of the mega builders, given how he’s screwed over the east side for luxury condo development.

    For Chris, the question is whether he will seek a job as the RBA’s government relations agent or will work with an annoying but relatively harmless nonprofit operation such as Global Exchange…

    -marc

  • Ruth R. Snave

    The gay press is treating Chris Daly’s effort to unseat August Longo as an unjustified attack on a gay man. See the latest issue of Bay Area Reporter.

    That’s not an accurate depiction of the struggle. But that’s how it’s playing out in the gay community.

    SF progressives now have rocky relations with unions, African Americans, women, and gays.

    Maybe it’s time to reflect on the situation.

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