Should Progressives Prioritize the Defeat of Newsom?

But aside from practical concerns – pulling off a convention on such short notice – should progressives prioritize the defeat of Newsom? First, Supervisors have shown in the past year that they have the power and initiative to get things done, even with a Mayor resistant to change. Second, Newsom’s hands-off role as Mayor has made him a less formidable foe than Willie Brown. Third, Newsom has sometimes been willing to champion progressive causes – if he can take the credit. While it is obvious that voters deserve a choice this November, the truth is that nobody really wants to run. Which raises the question – why not just let Gavin be the ineffectual lame-duck Mayor that he is for the next four years?

As is the case in most places, the Left in San Francisco is notoriously fractured with personal egos and backroom deals dominating what should be an issue-based agenda. If you believe that there should be a candidate for Mayor, Chris Daly deserves credit for suggesting that progressives throw a grassroots nominating convention to pick the candidate. The process should be opened up to everyday activists, and the candidate chosen be the one who has the largest base of supporters.

In the 1970’s and 80’s, Berkeley progressives recruited their City Council candidates through a convention process – and pro-tenant activists still pick their Rent Board candidates that way. In 2000, I ran for the Berkeley Rent Board because I was selected by a progressive nominating convention. I am well familiar with the convention process, and am a firm believer in its potential.

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