Like many other Democrats, I did not jump to any quick conclusions about the Mayor's race. I watched the political process unfold in person, across the city. I got to know the campaigns, and assessed their abilities. I assessed electability, and talked with friends. Both campaigns bring unique strengths to the race.
As Rafael has been on the campaign trail, I have seen him grow as a candidate. I have seen the campaign's grassroots operation grow in depth and effectiveness. I have seen Rafael's support grow through the Ward Convention process. I've seen the campaign energized by the diverse and talented people from across the City who have been drawn to Rafael and his campaign.
As I've listened to the candidates, I am struck by one reality: Rafael Ortega is grounded in clear values - the best Democratic values. He has worked to make government effective and responsive. He has worked to stand up for everyday St. Paul residents - our friends and neighbors. His roots as the son of immigrants on New York's Lower East Side, and his decades of nonprofit and elective leadership have connected him in a real way with the challenges of a evolving St. Paul. He has helped expand our transit system, create affordable housing, and rebuilt infrastructure. He won't be supporting George Bush, nor will he be supporting Randy Kelly or his allies.
Two years ago, my friends and I were discouraged by Mayor Kelly and a City Council who often forgot us in favor of rich and powerful outsiders. We worked hard against seemingly long odds to secure a progressive majority on the City Council. I am proud to say I campaigned alongside Rafael and his aide Ken Iosso to help Dave Thune win a 78-vote victory in Ward 2, and helped ensure that progressive majority.
Now, Rafael wants to bring a progressive majority to the Mayor's office. Rafael will bring the progressive base that supported Jay Benanav in 2001 with him in his bid for Mayor. With strong support from many communities of color, Rafael can draw out new support in the very places that Benanav was weakest - Wards 5, 6, and 7. Rafael's grounding in real values and community highlight Mayor Kelly's shallow support, and confused leadership. Rafael is particularly electable because he comes across as one of us. We know where he stands.
This is where you and I come in. Randy Kelly's weak record presents us with a tremendous opportunity that we should use thoughtfully. We progressives are dispirited. We've seen the principles that bind us together undermined, our vision muddled. So many of us have forgotten the power a broad-based, diverse, grassroots campaign has to transform this City. We too easily forget the power a candidate grounded in clear principle can harness.
But for the first time at the Mayoral level, we can reach out to the nearly 45% of the City that are people of color, who have been underrepresented in our public sphere. In the place of the entrenched power of the Mayor and his big business funders, we could build a lasting new coalition, based in progressive principles, to govern this City.
The seeds of change are there. In this election, Rafael's campaign uniquely holds the potential to transform this City into the kind of place you or I would like it to be. For me, making that change that will start by standing side by side with Rafael Ortega in the DFL endorsement process, and beginning the process of building these new connections. On Saturday, I encourage you to join me and other progressive DFLers in sharing in this vision for our City's the future.
Bob Spaulding Downtown
-------------------------------------------------
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/
