Newsom Gets ConfrontationalRandy Shawbyline‚ Jan. 17‚ 2007San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom owes much of his popularity the past three years to his promotion of collaboration over confrontation. While his critics describe such collaboration as the Mayor’s “co-opting” of Supervisor proposals on issues such as universal health care, increased inclusionary housing, and anti-violence programs, the bottom-line is that Newsom’s support of these and other issues has left little for opponents to grumble about. But in recent weeks, the Mayor has preferred a confrontational approach. He is now threatening to put a measure on the ballot to overturn the Board’s support of foot patrols, has made a mountain out of molehill by refusing to comply with voter’s wishes on “question time,” and is responding to media criticism in an angry, defensive manner. Facing no declared opponent for his re-election, the Mayor’s new approach is hard to understand. |