Reilly leaves the stageBy Steven T. Jones
Janet Reilly finally came to the stage just before 10:30 to concede a race that wasn't as close as many expected. "I am so proud of our efforts today and what we did over the course of this campaign," she said through a newscaster's smile that masked her obvious disappointment. "We were bold and courageous, we were innovative, and we did take chances."
In the end, though, the Ma machine was just too much, something she didn't say, not mentioning her opponent. Instead she ran through a long list of "thank yous," starting with her tireless campaign manager Alex Laskey and ending with her husband, controversial political consultant Clint Reilly, whom her opponents and most journalists tried to put the focus on throughout the campaign. "Thank you for believing in me," she said to him. And then she addressed the whole group: "Thank you for standing up for change. You will forever be in my heart."
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Comments (3)
Reilly herself showed her allegiance to the Democratic machine in 2003 when she endorsed Newsom over Matt Gonzalez (Gonzalez, bizarrely, forgave her for that and expressed support for Reilly this year, in a primary election for an political party that isn't his own!). The question is now who she will support--Ma, or Green Hermanson? Since she has shown herself to be a loyal Democrat, my guess is she will line up behind Ma. So now the question is who will the Guardian endorse--the machine politician Ma, or the progressive Hermanson? We wait with baited breath.
Posted by Haikuist | June 7, 2006 05:52 PM
Let us remember that Reilly herself endorsed the Democratic Party machine in 2003 when she supported Newsom over Matt Gonzalez. Who will she endorse now that the campaign is over? Will she endorse Ma, the Democrat, or Hermanson, the more porgressive Green? She's a loyal Democrat, as the 2003 election showed.
It will also be interesting to see if the Guardian endorses the more progressive Hermanson over Ma in the November election.
Posted by Haikuist | June 7, 2006 06:08 PM
The Ma machine was more than too much, it was close to a terrorist attack. Ma's aides, along with Leland Yee's, were at the Richmond polls campaigning right up to the poll doors. Neither had any regard to the election regulations.
Last year, Fiona's dogs had to be physially removed by the police from Precinct 2104 after they refuced to leave the inside of the poll.
They have once again succesfully strong-armed the voters of the Richmond and Sunset districts.
Posted by Karen Horning | June 7, 2006 08:27 PM