sf mayor comes to santa monica
| By Unknown user - Mar 18, 2009 9:47:45 AM PT |
| Also listed in: Change Candidate Wanted For California |
A few of us attended the Gavin Newsom town hall in Santa Monica last night. The room was freckled with green shirts, green hats and green beads for St. Patricks Day. There were dozens of print media, bloggers and television journalists, flanked by Frank Luntz on his laptop(?).
Running a tad late, the mayor was greeted by a friendly crowd, local politicos and a hand full of celebrities, think Ryan Reynolds without Scarlett Johansson. Following his introduction by local councilman Bobby Shriver, he walked everyone through the paces of his healthcare, education and environmental policy goals and promptly opened the floor to questions. Compared to reports I have read from Oakland and beyond, this event must have seemed like a night off for the mayor.
I think most who attended were equally interested in getting to know the man as much as his solutions. He is as charismatic as advertised and kept everyone engaged throughout the give and take.
The only noteworthy answer he gave was to the first question. A woman asked what he intended to do about the 2/3 rule that is obstructing progress in California and empowering a minority to sell itself to the highest bidder. He gave an answer that I have yet to see reported. He said he favors the 50 plus 1 approach to this reform. He went on to speak more broadly about other reforms and the proposed constitutional convention without any specifics.
On the issues of marriage and equal rights for gay couples, he was the most convincing. He referenced Loving vs. Virginia, said he preferred losing an election on this issue over being on the wrong side of history. This was my first opportunity to meet the mayor in person without any filters.
If I were consulting the mayor, I would encourage him to include more anecdotes about his family. The stories about "liars dice" and such give voters a glimpse of the man behind the politics, which for many is as important at this stage of the race.
As he closed, he asked to begin a dialogue with those of us in the gymnasium. Mayor, we look forward to it and will be in touch.
Running a tad late, the mayor was greeted by a friendly crowd, local politicos and a hand full of celebrities, think Ryan Reynolds without Scarlett Johansson. Following his introduction by local councilman Bobby Shriver, he walked everyone through the paces of his healthcare, education and environmental policy goals and promptly opened the floor to questions. Compared to reports I have read from Oakland and beyond, this event must have seemed like a night off for the mayor.
I think most who attended were equally interested in getting to know the man as much as his solutions. He is as charismatic as advertised and kept everyone engaged throughout the give and take.
The only noteworthy answer he gave was to the first question. A woman asked what he intended to do about the 2/3 rule that is obstructing progress in California and empowering a minority to sell itself to the highest bidder. He gave an answer that I have yet to see reported. He said he favors the 50 plus 1 approach to this reform. He went on to speak more broadly about other reforms and the proposed constitutional convention without any specifics.
On the issues of marriage and equal rights for gay couples, he was the most convincing. He referenced Loving vs. Virginia, said he preferred losing an election on this issue over being on the wrong side of history. This was my first opportunity to meet the mayor in person without any filters.
If I were consulting the mayor, I would encourage him to include more anecdotes about his family. The stories about "liars dice" and such give voters a glimpse of the man behind the politics, which for many is as important at this stage of the race.
As he closed, he asked to begin a dialogue with those of us in the gymnasium. Mayor, we look forward to it and will be in touch.
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