In a message dated 3/1/2005 10:18:57 AM Eastern Standard Time, "Mike Fratto"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
>First of all the person elected mayor is serving the entire city, not just
>those who supported him in the endorsement process.
>
Just a comment on this and on Jane Prince's concerns about fundraising and how
they relate. The point is that the DFL party or any party is like any other
organization that does endorsements. It is made up of individuals who
frequently measure one's worth by how well they have supported other members...
So, labor organizations tend to want to know how the person has been in
contract negotiations, have they supported prevailing wages and have they
supported the union in other issues. The DFL or any other party wants to know
if the person has stood up for their issues and have they helped elect other
candidates supported by the party. It is in the interest of a party to support
candidates who work well with others and see themselves as a part of the party
not someone who just dropped in and expected the party's support.
The reason why the DFL endorsement is important in St Paul is that it is a
vehicle to assist in fundraising. In St Paul (Since George Lattimer left
office) you are either the DFL endorsed candidate or you are the Chamber of
Commerce endorsed candidate, those are the two political parties in Saint Paul.
So, the current Mayor has the Chamber support on has been raising a lot of
money for a long time. Whoever is his opponent needs the DFL endorsement to
have any credibility in raising money, that is why neither of the other two
have any cash. So, that is why the endorsement is relevant, (and why
candidates who have ignored it in the past want it) because whoever doesn't get
it will not be able to raise money and will not be a viable candidate for
mayor.
JMONTOMEPPOF
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