The Green Party is looking to run candidates in Mpls council races.
They need, first, progressives in the various wards who will run. No small
matter, because it means a significant commitment of time, and a taste for
politics. I encourage progressives who would like to run to contact the
Green Party. An opportunity for both person and party.
Second, a ward where the incumbent is weak or weakening is obviously more
interesting to all concerned, than one where there is general
satisfaction. Is Herron as vulnerable as some of these posts would lead
one to believe? Is there out there a progressive who would like to
challenge him? Anyone of any party? Challenges to incumbents is always a
good thing, no matter how good the incumbent; it keeps them on their toes
and more responsive.
The Green Party is interested eventually in running a full slate of
candidates, one in every ward, no matter how good or progressive the DFL
incumbent may be. This is what parties do and should do. Parties do not
exist to cut out the weakest members of the dominant party. They exist to
promote principles - or should, and if they don't, they should be sent to
pasture.
Green Party principles are more progressive and more current than DFL
ones; and their actions are considerably more progressive. (The DFL's
actions are often considerably to the right of their platform).
This is the ultimate justification for the Green Party challenging even
progressive DFLers. A Council with 5 progressives, 3 of them Green, will
be notably more progressive than one with 5 progressives, all DFL.
Progressive DFLers have to bend to the conservative DFLers and not air in
house differences. Green Party reps would all be progressives, and would
have to honor the platform or face serious repercussions from Green
voters. (We mean to be TOUGH on our reps). Green Party council members
would be better watchdogs on public policy even than progressive DFLers,
because it would be EXPECTED of them, part of the job.
So, as good as Herron may be on some progressive issues (and apparently as
unresponsive on others, if the posts here are to be believed), he should
be challenged by a progressive Green Party candidate. As far as I know,
the field is still wide open. (And even if there's something I don't know,
challenge and wider choice is always good).
Anyone interested? In this, or in any other wards? There is of course
screening to undergo, but the more the merrier.
(I am a member of the Green Party but this post is entirely my own
plunge-ahead maverick opinion; I am in no way speaking in any official
capacity for the Green Party, so if you don't like what's said here, blame
me not the party).
--David Shove
On Wed, 4 Oct 2000, kaforbes wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: jon kelland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 1:16 AM
> Subject: Re:Herron & steam
>
>
> > does anyone know if Herron is running for reelection
> > next year? there seems to be a lot of unhappy people
> > in his ward.
> >
> > jon kelland
> > bryant
> >
> I suppose we could call Brian's office and ask him if he's running for
> reelection. But of course he probably wouldn't return the phone call and
> then we wouldn't know.
>
> Karen Forbes
> Central Neighborhood
>
>
