Hey all,
I had a great time at the smoke-free Tavern on Grand last night and enjoyed meeting all of you who were there and hearing from several of the people who did so much work to get the ban enacted. I talked to the bartender and he said it was as busy as any other night. With the only dissent coming from a constipated drunk, the evening went very well.
To the topic at hand:
I just got a letter from Mayor Kelly today, which some of you will get too. I noticed that it leads off with a big disclaimer - "While my personal choice for President last year was George Bush, I remain a Democrat". He explains that he made a decision to pick someone not in his party. Then, later, it says, in its own paragraph "Regardless of our disagreement on this matter, I remain a Democrat". He mentions others running for mayor have disagreed with the DFL and endorsed candidates in the past. He also says "I write you this letter to you today to let you know, respectfully, that I will not seek the endorsement of the DFL party for re-election as Mayor of St. Paul".
I would like to respond, respectfully, to the letter by saying "What a crock of foul smelling effluent!" For him to say he remains a Democrat, but voted for Bush is absurd. He is so interested in saying he is a Democrat, that it reminds me of the song "Straighten up and Fly Right" by Nat King Cole (if you are unfamiliar with the lyrics click this link and scroll down a little <http://www.geocities.com/cozynfine/nkclyrics-S2.html>). In this case he is so desperate to get us to believe him that he pretends his public announcement of endorsement and the silly trip he made with Bush, Coleman and Pawlenty, was just a personal decision transcending partisan politics. Come on man, "your story's so touching, but it sounds jes' like a lie." A public road trip with your buddies from the opposite side is not a decision you can make unless you plan on turning traitor like Zell Miller or Norm Coleman.
And then, to make his deceit seem less treacherous, he mentions that maybe Chris or Raphael didn't always march lock step with the party. Is that even in the same league, Mr (dis)Mayor? Is allying yourself with the least qualified, most partisan hack to hold office in the last 100 years and his two toadies really similar to supporting a non-endorsed Democrat in a local election? I guess that the Mayor's idea of a big-tent-party extends even to people who work against the rest of the people in the tent. It is nice to be so inclusive, but maybe his pals in the Elephant Tent would like to have him over permanently? As far as I can see, his endorsement was cheaply bought. The only thing I have seen from his sell out is a million bucks for the dike. You would think that sort of dirty work would get you an ambassadorship or some other political appointment at least, and maybe some gravy for the city.
Guess what? He isn't trying to get the DFL endorsement. A shock to all of us, I'm sure. Although he is certain of his qualifications as a Democrat, the party probably wouldn't understand the wisdom of his endorsement, his working against the St. Paul delegation at the Capital, nor his attempted bullying of the City Council. I just wonder how many people are going to agree with his rosy self assessment? I suppose he looked at the 63% of Ramsey County who voted for Kerry and started to get nervous. I can't see how this letter will help. Anyone who can still stand him doesn't need a letter to be convinced. Those who want a change aren't likely to be persuaded by his poorly reasoned statements. I haven't read the speech he included yet, but am looking forward to reading how he reconciles his stated love for unions, poor people and traditional Democratic values with his obvious love for the Republican values of big money and Tom-Delay-style "hard-fisted leadership".
Jacob Dorer
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