Tim, You asked for lurkers...here I come.
One of the things that I firmly believe in is the statement that "90% of success is showing up" and that is why I have like Chris from the start. It is why I worked my tail end off for Dave Thune. As a GLBT activist and (past) 10-year resident of ward 2, I watched my council representation closely for key things that affected me direcly. 1) support of human rights 2) the signing of the twin cities GLBT pride proclamation and 3) participation with the GLBT community as we celebrate our pride in our annual parade. I was very proud that Dave and Chris both showed up for GLBT community events EVERY SINGLE YEAR without exception. Often, these 2 leaders were the ONLY St. Paul politicians to show up. That is not to say that Rafael hasn't supported the cuases I represent, but his absence from events like the Pride Parade has been conspicuous to me. In my mind, if any politician is willing to show up and walk down the street with the queer community, that single action shows the courage and conviction of a person's character more than most things you see in political life. Again, it is not that Rafael is bad on any issues that are important to me - Chris is just better in my mind. I would vote for him if I could - I guess I will have to settle for working for him instead. Paul Skrbec Inver Grove Heights (hopefully returning St. Paulite) -------------- Original message -------------- > > >As a council member, Coleman was a Chamber of Commerce mouthpiece. > > I have to admit, that I did not follow the council career of Chris > Coleman very closely. Most of what I know about his years on the > council is what I know through this forum, which is largely limited > to anger about GSE. > > I also know, that he was often considered one of the four > "conservative" voices on the council, but in St. Paul you can be a > pretty mainstream democrat and still be considered one of the more > conservative voices. Many were frustrated with him for supporting > Mayor Kelly on a number of issues. Now he is running against Mayor > Kelly. Were they ever really as close as some would like to suggest? > > Was he really a "mouthpiece" of the Chamber? This sounds like pure > frustration over GSE. Is there anything more to it? > > If Coleman is really the "mouthpiece" of the Chamber that some would > like us to believe, then why have Kathy Lantry and Lee Helgen given > him their endorsement? > > Dennis has already made the point about about support for non-DFL > endorsed candidates. Each of us will have to make our own judgement > on that score. > > OTHER THAN GSE - what was his record for Ward 2? > > I know that there are vocal critics of Coleman on this forum. But, > I'm guessing that Coleman has many supporters and friends lurking on > the list as well. I would suggest that they might consider speaking > to the 200 - 300 people (many lurkers) who are undecided and possibly > giving Coleman some consideration. > > I remain devotedly uncommitted in this race, but am looking for a > deeper and more thoughtful discussion of the candidates. I'll come > back with some questions about Ortega a little later. > > Thanks, > > Tim Erickson > Hamline Midway > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > -- > ================================================= > Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com > St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim > ================================================= > > > ------------------------------------------------- > JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: > http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ > ------------------------------------------------- > POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected] > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
