[Mpls] 13th Ward Race

[Pamela Taylor]

Hello Listmembers,
 
I find this topic interesting.  I am a DFLer, but I agree with Lisa McDonald.  R.T. should follow Lisa's lead.  Why would anyone seek an endorsement if they don't plan to abide by it?  And I disagree with Betsy Hodges statement about abandoning your affiliations if they don't fit.  I think most people find it easier to follow the crowd than to step out and be real.  I don't have a problem standing alone.  Jesus, one of my favorite people, did it too.    
 
I believe myself to be an Independent Democrat.  Somtimes I totally agree with what the DFL is supporting, and sometimes I do not.  And I will not pretend to do agree just to make someone else feel comfortable.  If someone wins an endorsement that I totally cannot support, I will not vote for them.  Period.  I don't hear that same question put to the delegates and voters at large asking them to abide by the endorsement when standing in the voting booth.  None of us truly knows what goes on in there, which is as it should be.  We should be in there voting our own conscience, not someone elses.  Because at the end of the day, I have to look in the mirror and face myself.
 
In races that are recognized as nonpartisian, I am going to vote for whomever I please.  The reason that they are nonpartisian in the first place is because they are to serve the greater good, not any one political party.  The various parties, and I am talking about all of them pretty much, consider themselves to be speaking for us all.  I was raised to think for myself.  I can listen to, and value ones opinion, yes.  But if your agenda does not register with me, forget it.  And how did we get these various parties to begin with?  Hmm, could it be that people tapped into their OWN thoughts, and branched off?  So crazy. it just might be the answer.
 
Bottom line, as of right now, my feeling is that if I run for any public office in the future, I don't plan to ask for the endorsement of any POLITICAL party.  I just plan to prepare myself thoroughly for the job at hand.  Then, if the public wants me, they will let me know by electing me.  Like they say in the big leagues "play to win or go home."  My advice to all the candidates: Don't depend on the party machines to roll your way.  Wheels ain't turning the way they used to.
 
Pamela Taylor
(Formerly of the 8th Ward, currently in the 10th, but who knows where I will be by election day.) 

Jason C Stone <jason_c_stone at yahoo.com> wrote:

Speaking from my recent experience as a first-time candidate promoting reform on the Park Board,
I've found that DFL delegates have much more sophisticated criteria for their endorsement vote
than 'who will abide by the endorsement'. Most are concerned with what is best for the community.
That makes the DFL and our community better. 

'The Park Board has a transparency problem' is much more compelling than 'I am the only candidate
in this race that will abide by the DFL endorsement'.

The candidates below arrived at their decisions about the endorsement for different reasons, but
should all be commended for their integrity and honesty!

Regards,
Jason Stone
Diamond Lake
Park Board District 5 Candidate

--- Nikkicarlson001 at aol.com wrote:
> Does the DFL endorsement process strengthen the party? Does disregarding the 
> endorsement weaken the party? What's better, to seek the endorsement but not 
> respect it, or not to seek the endorsement because one doesn't plan to abide by 
> it?
> 
> Betsy Hodges said, “I won’t discard my political affiliation when it no 
> longer fits my political ambitions.” This is either a dig at Lisa McDonald 
> because she is not seeking the DFL endorsement for 13th ward, or at R.T. for not 
> committing to abide by the city DFL endorsement.
> 
> Lisa McDonald said, "I think it is disrespectful to seek the endorsement if I 
> do not plan to abide by it."
> 
> R.T. Rybak said, "I seek your endorsement, but I do not plan to abide by it. 
> I respect the endorsement process but I want to give all the voters in the 
> city an opportunity to have their voices heard."
> 
> So if a candidate does not plan to abide by an endorsement, should s/he seek 
> it? I am interested in some opinions. I am interested as a citizen, a voter, a 
> delegate, and as chair of the DFL for Hennepin County.



		
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