Day in, day out, I hear how much people want to elect a new Mayor. We don't know yet which DFLer will challenge Randy Kelly. As we wait for a Democratic endorsee to come out of the April 30th City Convention, these will be impatient weeks.
So we have heard many critiques of Mayor Kelly's operating style - the divisiveness and the bullying. Without a truly independent daily newspaper, and with an immensely powerful machine in the Chamber of Commerce, it is to the Mayor's advantage to try to demoralize political opposition through bullying.
For me, what is most deeply damaging about the Mayor's bullying is the demoralization of the progressive community. The powerful forces behind the Mayor's adversarial approach leave progressives doubting our collective power. Without a presence in the Mayor's office, progressives often have difficulty getting traction, and we are left simply reacting to the "Disaster of the Moment". But a well-organized grassroots campaign has a very strong chance - our best chance - of breaking through that worry and malaise. It's time to get up and start working.
I believe the Mayor continues his divisive approach in part because it papers over an important reality: St. Paul voters fundamentally do not share the Mayor's values, and are unconvinced by his record. On the key issues, Randy Kelly is out of step with St. Paul voters. Consider Mayor Kelly's opposition to a successful school levy referendum, meant to simply maintain basic services; or his broad support of regressive user fees as a replacement for the more progressive property tax; or his endorsement of a President who fails cities as a matter of course. From the emptying downtown offices to his creation of unnecessary schisms in neighborhood politics, people across this city have many reasons to doubt Randy Kelly's ability to lead. Only a progressive grassroots campaign can unmask that record, and show it for what it is.
Realistically, I believe there are lots of seeds of hope, though there are honestly never guarantees. But there is an upside to the Mayor's bullying. Randy Kelly's divisive attitude, along with his record, has made people want to see change as never before. I know a lot of others who are ready at a moment's notice to work for a new vision. We need to tap that energy, change the negative dynamics and break through our malaise.
We will change the dynamics by connecting on a basic level with everyday people at their school, their church, their neighborhood group, and on their front porch. In the place of policy based on smoke and mirrors, we will substitute genuine hope. In the place of the division and bullying that has marked the Kelly years, we will substitute a cooperative, creative, optimistic vision. No Mayoral candidate on their own can rescue us from the grip of the divisive, conservative forces that have run the city for the last dozen years. You and I need to be there, standing by the candidate's side, joining by our friend's side, working by our neighbor's side.
But not just any candidate will fill the need. I believe we need a candidate whose vision connects broadly with progressives and moderates. We need a candidate who is driven by a deep belief in progressive, grassroots change. We need a candidate who is able to draw new voters and voices into the political process. These things are a key starting point, but on their own, they don't guarantee a win.
In the end, it's up to us to build the grassroots campaign that will reach out to moderates and progressives and take us to victory. Our recent history shows us the potential in a strong grassroots campaign. Three years ago, only two of seven members of the City Council dependably stood up for progressive values. But across the city, everyday citizens pounded the pavement, and we were able to transform the City Council into a four-member progressive majority.
We have six months of nice summer weather between the DFL endorsement and the general election. We can capitalize on the summer to share our vision with friends and neighbors at picnics, sporting events, fundraisers, fairs, and dinner parties. There will be challenges, ups and downs, no doubt. We shouldn't expect to win in a landslide. But together, we moderates and progressives can have fun this summer campaigning for change. And come November, if we work together, we can replace the divisive conservatism with a more inclusive progressive vision.
The most effective politics reminds us of its fundamental power to transform - ourselves, our communities and ultimately, our city. The time is right, and the power is waiting to be tapped. It's in your hands, and mine. Let's get working.
Bob Spaulding downtown resident
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