Dems: No Endorsement for City Attorney
Posted by: Barry Jantz | 03/12/2008 7:04 AM
The U-T confirms it last night....
Democrats in the San Diego city attorney's race vied late into Tuesday night for their county party's endorsement, only to be turned away.
San Diego City Council President Scott Peters, along with a representative for private attorney Amy Lepine, reported that the local Democrats did not offer an endorsement in the race, a repeat of a move late last fall when City Attorney Michael Aguirre just missed securing the party's backing.
Democrats Aguirre, Peters and Lepine are vying against Republicans Brian Maienschein and Jan Goldsmith on the June 3 ballot.
Peters said he was pleased, despite losing out himself, because the decision shows that Aguirre's "party has lost confidence in him."
An Aguirre spokesman did not return a call for comment.
The local Republican Party has endorsed Goldsmith, a Superior Court judge.
Some anonymous posts at SDPolitico provide the detail...
The vote was 29 to endorse Mike and 20 for no endorsement. Mike got 59 % of the vote which is less than the 60 percent required to endorse so Mike has no endorsement in 2008 from the party. Scott wasn't warmly received, however he is now the stronger Dem in the race.
Tonight was a huge victory for Scott. Mike tried to bully his way to an endorsement and failed. Scott may need a lesson in how to win over Democratic party activists, but he was able to do what is vurtually unheard of: block a sitting democratic incumbent from getting the party endorsement.
It was one of my greatest pleasures when working with Lee Atwater in Senator Thurmonds reelection campaign race...
There is a growing "anti-party" sentiment amongst the average voters, if the growing # of DTS registration is any indication. The city attorney is in the eyes of the votes sould be non-partisan. Not getting the endorsement of the Democratic party may hurt Aguirre in terms of fundraising but it allows him the objectivity to call Judge Goldsmith a party hack at a time when 1 out of 5 people do not appove of the current administration and republicans in general if Dennis Hasterts seat going blue is any indication. Judge Goldsmith would be best to point out his record as an impartial judge rather than former assemblyman and perhaps consider graciously declining the endorsement by the party to maintain the air of being impartial. This may net more votes than the money spent on fundrasing that the party could provide with an endorsement.
J Agatha over at San Diego Politico is Lorena Gonzalez from the Labor Council. Here is a hint Lorena -- some folks within our own Party find your comments disgusting. I'd like you to repeat them over at the Democratic Club some day.
It's hardly a secret among the 12 people who read the Politico who Agatha is... lol. I guess those comments are her 'progressive values' at work.
Boy, sure miss Jerry!
I re-read the comments on Politico now knowing who Agata is and had a couple thoughts.
First, I think the person who wrote this, Lorena or not, given the progressive ideology of the blog, sounds insincere at best.
Second, I think that the person who wrote this needs to understand that there are progressives who find what they wrote offensive, no matter what demaio's party affiliation is.
I do find it amusing that it is a liberal blog implying that a gay person cannot represent a non-gay district. I suppose a black person can only represent a black district? This is EXACTLY what I loath about liberals. To liberals you are not a person, you are your race, or your religion, or your sexual orientation. To me what matters are your IDEAS.