Progressives Built Wide Coalition to Defeat Don FisherPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Nov. 07‚ 2007With Mayor Newsom’s re-election a done deal, San Francisco progressives turned their energy to winning on the issues – and in the race for Propositions this November, it paid off. A diverse coalition led by Supervisor Aaron Peskin dealt Republican C.E.O. Don Fisher a tremendous blow – by passing comprehensive Muni Reform (Proposition A) and crushing the Downtown Parking Initiative (Proposition H.) While Newsom had supported Prop A and opposed Prop H, he barely lifted a finger – instead working to defeat Proposition E, a Charter Amendment requiring him to meet monthly with the Board of Supervisors. With the early absentees reporting, Prop E is losing by just 3 points – and could still pass when all votes are counted. Again, Newsom proved to have few coattails – as environmentalists, labor unions and supportive moderates were the big winners in last night’s election. As progressives look ahead to 2008, this cycle provided two important lessons: (1) focus on issues, not personalities; and (2) build coalitions that round up more than just the usual suspects. |