Rick Stafford writes: My analysis of Dean holding the Sharon vote: we had two excellent African American candidates in the Sixth Ward primary contest. I believe many African Americans in the Sixth supported a member of their community.
============================================= EY: In other words, Dean Kallenbach wrote off the African American vote before the primary because there were already two African American candidates. Recall he was the lone candidate from that ward NOT to participate in Lucille's Kitchen Forums. Also the assumption here is the Sharon vote is all African American. Dean Zimmerman never campaigned this way. Zimmerman has always aggressively courted African American support. That is what any candidate needs to do in order to win in the inner city wards. And it means doing more than talking to the "leaders". In the same way, so called Gay leaders often don't speak for the rank and file, many African American leaders don't always speak for the rank and file. It's important to campaign directly to the rank and file -- and not just assume that getting an endorsement or two will carry you through. That's why doorknocking is critical. I've heard Jonathan Palmer at forums -- and he's always been very clear on this point -- he did not want people to vote for him because of his race -- he wanted votes because of his skills and abilities. I find Stafford's comments interesting -- because they remind me of Doug Johnson's strategy when he ran for Governor. He told a reporter from Lavender that he wasn't competing for Gay and Lesbian voters before the primary. While this may have been true -- the message I got was that he had no intention of representing Gay and Lesbian citizens should he become Governor. Tim Bonham writes: Mike Krause doesn't have any position in Stonewall DFL to resign! It's been several years since Mike was last on the Stonewall Board; since then he has been just another member of the group (and an active, effective one). =================================== EY: I got this from the Doug Grow column on the subject published in January or February of this year. Bonham continues: And Stonewall DFL doesn't give ratings as a "courtesy"; they have to be earned based on showing support on issues of importance to the GLBT community. ============================== EY: RT's answers to the Stonewall questionaire and SSB's answers to the Stonewall questionaire are available on the 2001 Election Toolkit. Folks should decide for themselves on that point. Shortly after Doug Grow's column, Stonewall decided to rate Lisa McDonald and RT Rybak as acceptable. >From the CP interview with Lisa McDonald: What did come out in the race that was good for me was that I was more up-front about being hearing impaired, which a lot of people didn't know before. People didn't realize that somebody could be saying something behind me and I couldn't pick it up. I can see how that could make some people think I am more abrupt. I have to say, the few times during the campaign when I didn't catch a question, both Mark and Sharon were really great--they're professionals. They'd tell me what it was or write it down to let me know. I can't say that I got that same kind of tolerance from Rybak, who made fun of me at the Minnesota Public Radio debate when I missed that question about the stadium. EY: I heard this story too and it bothers me. It seems like RT tried to use Lisa's hearing disability to score points during the debate -- and that really bothers me. I'd like to hear RT's perspective on this. I have to disagree with Lisa about RT only being about marketting. I think he is a good marketter, but I don't think he lacks substance. I've been impressed by how he has conducted himself on this list. As I said before folks like Vickie Brock and Dean Kallenbach should take notes. RT answers questions directly -- and so it's easy to tell that he will always speak for himself. It seems that Brock is running using the "Rose Garden" strategy -- and that's wierd because she is NOT an incumbent. What's interesting is that Vickie Brock and Dean Kallenbach are both trying to tie themselves to SSB. She did well in both the 6th and the 8th ward. Sharon Sayles Belton is supporting Kallenbach -- he is the only DFLer running in that ward and according to Jo Mattson, her campaign manager is neutral in the 8th ward race. She has gotten supporters from both the Lilligren and the Brock camps. Both Dean Zimmerman and Robert Lilligren are running as their own person -- not trying to hone in on the Mayor's coattails. Vickie Brock and her Handlers..... Since Wizard quoted Matthea's email -- which was posted on Central Chat -- and so it was obviously intended to be public: "If you [Eva Young] were a person that was truly interested in getting questions answered, I would have advised the folks I work with differently. However, I only see you ask questions when you are trying to antagonize. EY: Actually no, I was asking questions because I wanted to hear the answers. When I got the email from MA which referred to Robert Lilligren with an anti-gay slur and mentioned that Brock was going to be using a "family values" campaign, I wanted to get reassurance from Vickie Brock personally, that she was not going to use anti-gay messages in her campaign -- and that she would discourage her supporters from doing so. Imagine the reaction if the situation had been reversed -- that someone -- maybe not connected with the Lilligren campaign -- had sent an email that seemed to be supporting Lilligren and referred to Brock with a racial slur. I've heard the response: "Brock's campaign manager is a Lesbian -- so how will the campaign go anti-gay?" Historically other campaigns that have done anti-gay messages have had Gay people working on those campaigns. It's an easy enough question to ask. It's odd that Brock needs to hide behind her campaign management team on this. Matthea (quoted by Wizard) continues: "Vickie has a good working relationship with many folks in the ward. My personal opinion is one can't be everything to everybody, and you are NOT the voice of the ward. EY: No and I've never claimed to be, but I live and vote in the ward. That is something neither of Brock's campaign managers can say. Matthea: "I want Vickie to spend her time with folks in the ward as opposed to spending time on e-mail arguing with you. I personally think that elected officials have to prioitize their time. I would hope that Vickie would NEVER prioritize fussing with one disgruntled consitutent that is NEVER happy with her behavior over working with the ward at large." EY: Again -- how does Vickie want to prioritise her time? I know what Louis and Matthea think about various public policy issues -- but they aren't running for 8th Ward Council Member -- are they? That's what gets me confused -- it brings back the Pinafore song "When I was a Lad" -- And the memorable verse: After a while, I was sent by a pocket bourough into parliament I always voted my party's call (in this case campaign manager's call) and I never thought of thinking for myself at all. I thought so little they rewarded me By making me the ruler of the Queen's Navy. Actually this song seems to apply to both Brock and Kallenbach. The reason it seems to do so is because neither of those folks tend to get on the list and speak for themselves. Louis King, Matthea Little Smith and Wizard Marks have always done the honors for Brock, and Rick Stafford has done the honors for Dean Kallenbach. Will they be rewarded by becoming the "ruler of the Queen's Navy?" Only time will tell.... Eva Eva Young Central _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
