Thanks for the fifth ward report. I went to the second ward convention. However I arrived already committed.
But at the convention we too had an opportunity to listen to both speakers. I had mentioned previously that I liked Ortega's directness and honesty. It came out in his responses. One question was about what is your #1 priority. Ortega thought a bit and then answered the question. He picked a #1 priority to explain. It was transportation and also mentioned its web into many other subjects of concern, including work and housing opportunities, standard of living, etc, etc. Coleman responded that he had 8 #1 priorities and then mentioned something for everyone. On the questions of who did you support last election and will you support this years endorsed candidate, Chris tried a different tact than the one he used in the fifth ward convention. This time he admitted that he had believed Kelly last time, and that he had made a mistake, and it was a mistake he wouldn't repeat. Which I think was a excellent position for him to take. Why he didn't at the fifth ward convention, I don't know. On who he would endorse next time he waffled a bit just saying he would vote for a democrat (which by the way was what he did last time) He didn't mention anything about endorsing the candidate who won the DFL endorsement. Ortega responded much as he had in the fifth ward convention. Ortega also mentioned that he could do well in Kelly's old stamping grounds, the east side, and that he had much practice is bringing people together who started out with diverse views, even if he had to move to one side or the other. That, along with his back ground in social services, would make him an effective progressive leader. He's a convincing speaker and I believe him.
Another old comment about this process. When we selected our 74 delegates and 74 alternates to the city convention there were exactly 167 ward two delegates available. Dennis Hill has already provided the breakdown and comments. I'd just like to note that I as a past participant and known persuasion had already received notices to remind me of the caucuses, but that many others I knew had no idea about when and where this year. And while I didn't look hard, I don't remember seeing any articles jumping out at me from either newspaper. Was there any?
Pat Byrne St.Clair and Lexington Parkway Neighborhood. "Everyone Deserves A Green Light Now And Then" ------------------------------------------------- JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected]
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