What Progressives Can Do Without A Mayor’s RaceRandy Shawbyline‚ Aug. 13‚ 2007In the first eight months of 2007, progressives missed important opportunities by devoting so much time to finding a candidate to run against Mayor Newsom. There is not only no ballot measure to attract progressive voters in November, but there is nothing set for February or June 2008; and the deadline for February charter amendments will pass this week. Rather than continue mourning the absence of a strong mayoral challenger, progressives need to seize the moment to address their priority issues: more affordable family housing, particularly in the Mission, reclaiming the tens of millions of dollars downtown businesses annually saved from the 2001 elimination of the business tax, and dramatically improving MUNI service, far beyond what can be achieved from the November reform measure. These and other issues require organizing, not simply running a “progressive” mayoral candidate. |