Migden-Leno Race Creates Opportunity for ProgressivesPaul Hogarthbyline‚ May. 21‚ 2007When Mark Leno took the unorthodox move of announcing he will challenge Carole Migden in the June 2008 primary, local progressives went nuts. They said it would divide the community, as well as distract energy and resources from other causes. To preempt yet another fratricidal bloodbath, Leno supporter Robert Haaland took the pro-active step last March of distributing a “pledge” among politicos to not engage in hurtful, negative campaigning. But a highly competitive race between two candidates on the East Side in an otherwise uneventful election cycle also creates a favorable dynamic for progressives. If you’re a local activist who wants to pass a ballot measure, there won’t be a better time to do it than in June 2008. Rather than pointing fingers at each other for supporting different candidates, progressives should figure out what propositions they want to get passed in what should be a very favorable election. |