Repeat reminder: be sure to clip the previous post, or excerpt what you're referring to in the body of your email. Constant reminder: our rules allow pointed disagreement but require respectful discussion. -- See Doug Grow's column from yesterday: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/694246.html from the article: R.T. Rybak, who once had seemed like little more than a light candidate with a nice smile, had called a news conference to show that he has broad support among a significant number of Minneapolis politicians. As the pols, almost all of whom were labor-friendly DFLers, arrived at the coffee shop, several were button-holed by an old labor leader from the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council. Right out in broad daylight, the labor guy was telling the pols not to support Rybak. If they wanted to be considered a friend of labor, he warned, they must stick with Sayles Belton, whom labor endorsed prior to the DFL convention in May. The labor leader got only a red face for his effort. As respectfully as possible, the pols, including Minneapolis City Council Member Paul Ostrow, who appears destined to become president of the council, stepped past the labor leader and stood with Rybak. 'It was awkward,' said Ostrow, who has always had labor support. 'It wasn't pleasant. In fairness to them [labor leaders], I understand their position. They believe all of their endorsed candidates should support each other. But I felt strongly that my constituents have a right to know where I stand on the mayor's race.' That Ostrow and so many other DFL candidates were willing to walk past a labor leader less than 24 hours after Rybak's convincing primary victory over Sayles Belton, Lisa McDonald and Mark Stenglein shows two things: Labor leadership just can't snap its fingers and get what it wants and Rybak is far from being a lightweight. ====================================== Doug Grow hits the nail on the head -- Labor leaders need to learn to say "Please"..... I'd also like to thank Rybak for clarifying his position on Gary Schiff's no endorsement. Eva Eva Young Central _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
