Wiener Support for Plan C Could Shape Democratic RacePaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jun. 25‚ 2008SF Democratic Party Chair Scott Wiener, who faces a challenge for this position from Supervisor Aaron Peskin, has contributed $250 to Plan C – a group that promotes condo conversions, tenant evictions and displacement. Wiener's support for Plan C, which holds its annual fundraiser tomorrow, raises the stakes in his bid against Peskin – turning the contest into a litmus test for the Democratic Party's commitment to tenant rights. Wiener’s donation puts him in company with Zephyr Realty, landlord Sarosh Kumana, Jim Lazarus of the Chamber of Commerce, and eviction lawyer Andrew Zacks – all of whom cut checks for the same event. Wiener says his voting record on the DCCC has been pro-tenant, and he does not agree with all of Plan C’s positions. But the group’s “anti-progressive” rhetoric – along with its fundraiser headlining 2 moderate candidates for Supervisor – highlights the danger of associating the Democratic leadership with forces hell-bent on repealing gains that progressives have made over the last eight years. |