Milking itHere are a few things I learned at Saturday's debate among the three Senate candidates, which was sponsored by the Harvey Milk LGLT Democratic Club:
- Mark Leno is desperately seeking Milk's endorsement and thinks he can get it by pointedly attacking and trying to discredit incumbent Carole Migden (a strategy that may backfire).
- When shoved, Migden shoves back hard (also a strategy that may backfire).
- Joe Alioto-Veronese doesn't belong on the same stage as Leno or Migden -- and, frankly, doesn't seem ready for a Senate race (being named "Alioto" just ain't enough) -- but he clearly thinks he can run to the right of the main event and have a shot.
- I came up with far too many questions for my role on the media panel at the event, and maybe I should have worn something a bit more stylish.
- There's still a very long way to go in this race...and it ain't gonna be pretty.
digg •
del.icio.us •
sphere •
google
•
Comments (4)
Steve, I take issue with your notion that Mark Leno is "desperately" seeking the Milk Club endorsement. It is Carole Migden who has employed thug tactics to hi-jack the club -- and ram through a flawed endorsement schedule that disenfranchises regular Club members, while empowering Migden hacks who have no connection with the Club.
I do agree whole-heartedly, however, with your assessment of Veronese.
Posted by Paul Hogarth | November 20, 2007 07:37 PM
To me, Leno's barbed closing statement, in which he read a laundry list of accusations against Migden, reeked of desperation, an observation shared by others I talked to. And it makes sense because Leno needs to decisively beat Migden in San Francisco given her advantage in Marin, so winning Milk's endorsement is important to him. When I asked Leno about it yesterday, he cast it as his civic obligation to inform voters about her negative points. That seems to be a stretch. And with all due respect, Paul, it also seems a stretch for you to pretend to be fairly covering this race for Beyond Chron when you've already endorsed Leno and have been working as a partisan on his behalf. Personally, I like both Mark and Carole and even Joe, but I don't intend to ever take sides in this race for fear that would compromise my credibility in covering it.
Posted by Steven T. Jones | November 21, 2007 11:22 AM
Oh, SNAP!
Posted by expatriate | November 22, 2007 10:07 PM
Well said.
Posted by jimmy | November 23, 2007 01:56 AM