In the last big debate, wise old Mike Aguirre - who has become the Yoda of this mayors race said something interesting. When pressed by Nathan Fletcher about his back-room endorsement deal, Kevin Faulconer got defensive, pivoted, and just got down and dirty juvenile in an attempt to avoid answering the question. Then, Aguirre jumped in, and scolded Fletcher - because, as he pointed out, they ALL have back-room deals. Theyre all backed by big money. Then, he turned to each one and pointed: (to Fletcher) YOU have a back room deal, (to Faulconer) YOU have a back room deal, and (to Alvarez) YOU have a back room deal. They all just laughed, though Fletcher at least reminded him of his independent voting record. The other two just laughed and didnt attempt to defend themselves. And, Aguirre is right. Faulconer may play himself off as the non-Republican moderate candidate, but there is huge financial influence behind him - Manchester, the Lincoln Club, the SDGOP - and, all are going to want a piece of the pie if he is elected. Alvarez is no better. His campaign may play up his humble beginnings narrative, but hes backed by interests he himself called special interests pejoratively before they voted to endorse him - to the tune of millions of dollars and less than above the board strategizing. And, then you have Fletcher. The biggest complaint by both the right an the left is that you cant trust him because hes switched parties. Ive waited in earnest for the substantive arguments against Fletcher these past few months, yet all Ive seen is the same talking points down to the exact same phrases parroted by the establishment types on both sides against him. They started with the flip-flop slam, then segued into pettiness about his salary, college transcripts, and work calendar. Just days before the election, theyve pivoted back to the flip-flop slam - this time calling him Fletcher Nathan in some sort of middle-school name-calling tactic. Just look at Tony Krvarics timeline or San Diego Free Press articles to get a taste of this tomfoolery. (And, for those who arent aware - Krvaric / SDFP represent polar opposite extremes of the political aisle). The phrasing - ten weeks of it - is hardly coincidence, to me. It reeks of coordination. Which makes me wonder - is this election about whats best for the city, or is it really about preserving the relevance of the parties? An interesting survey was just released that shows the breakdown of newly registered voters in San Diego. The Democrats had about 2,000 new voters, Republicans had an unimpressive 243, and those who identified as Independent represented a healthy pool at 5,000. Are people tired of the partisan machinery? It appears so. Are they tired of back-room deals and special interests wagging the political dog? It appears so. Aguirre was right about one thing: its not these young mens fault that they have to make these deals in order to get where they are. Politics today is about money. Those who have it behind them get the full force of the machine. They get to sit at the table. Monied interests is the state of politics, for better or for worse. Which is why its important to look behind the candidate to better gauge to whom theyre tied. And, Im not impressed with Faulconer. His voting record and lack of ability to eschew the establishment machine speaks volumes. Im not sold on Alvarez. His lack of substantial political tenure and short record of falling in line to suit the establishment machine has me convinced hes too green - and, hardly independent. That is not what 5,000 newly independent voters in San Diego want or need. I dont want the status quo that has played party politics to the tune of a massive pension deficit, lack of investment in our neighborhoods, the 4th worst infrastructure in the US, and an eyesore of a compromise in the heart of San Diegos most iconic park. I want independence. I want vision. I want someone - who, despite the deeply entrenched monied interests in our citys politics, will look beyond party lines and back-room maneuvers to get the job done and move our city forward. On Sept. 5th, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez - a Democrat, former Labor Council leader, and North County girl (this hits home for me), shared why she was endorsing Nathan Fletcher for mayor. In it, she shares a story from last years election in which she - a Democrat whod endorsed another - approached her old colleague for some help. And, he helped. I am lucky to call San Diego home. And, Im even luckier to have young politicians like Gonzalez and Fletcher who - despite party lines - can work together, do whats right, and move this city forward - often to the detriment of their own political capital in this corroded party-line system. More like them, please.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 15:06:17 +0000
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