Will the Left Over-Reach on Prop L’s Defeat?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Nov. 11‚ 2008Without a doubt, Proposition L’s defeat was a major egg on Mayor Newsom’s face – as nobody thought San Francisco voters would reject it by a 15-point landslide. But if yesterday’s rally by Supervisor Chris Daly and his allies calling on the City de-fund the Community Justice Center was any indication, the “anti-Newsom” Left is in grave danger of overreaching their mandate. They’re right that voters rejected the CJC in this bad economic climate, and it makes no sense to launch the court if the Mayor cuts services for homeless people. But it’s naïve to presume that voters now have “seen the light” on the City’s homelessness crisis. Local progressives have a lot to offer with their agenda: affordable housing, quality health care, transit justice and a progressive approach on crime. But turning this fight into the Board’s next “battle” with Mayor Newsom could jeopardize much of what they have accomplished. Because yesterday’s rally ignored that many progressives liked the idea of a CJC – rejecting Prop L for other reasons. |