If we are going to get involved in St. Paul politics, let's get a more
balanced view of things. So far Candidate Runbeck has been flamed
because of her stance on a single issue. The fact that she will have
zero influence, ( congress as a whole has little influence), on federal
policy with respect to that issue if elected seems to have little to do
with some commentator's comments.
I think we should now either begin a general discussion of the Fourth
CD, based on the fact it is contiguous to our city, or drop the whole
thread. So far, all I know is that Betty McCollom, of whom I have never
heard, is "qualified" and pro-choice. Presumably, the first is based on
the second. Runbeck is "not qualified" because she is not "pro-choice."
I reject single issue politics, unless the single issue is the survival
of the nation. I reject with great energy where the single issue is the
pro-life/pro choice issue. This is because there is not a single
politician in our state, or any state for that matter, who can have any
impact on the issue one way or the other.
I think we are all better served by examining candidates on other
issues, the ones where they can make a difference, and voting for or
against on that basis.
Clark Griffith
Seventh Ward, site of the big picnic on the 26th
