When Bob Filner was running for mayor last year the Republican Party, the Tea Party and the downtown millionaires establishment let it be known and did all they could do to defeat Bob Filner. One right-wing Republican leader told me that if Bob Filner won it would be like Vladimir Lenin taking over City Hall and we would become a more socialist-leftist government. (The very same ugly, vicious attacks on Obama were made against Filner.)
And when Bob Filner did get elected mayor, immediately these same people started planning a recall campaign starting in June. (A meeting about this was held in the state capitol by some delegates at the Republican State Convention.) The “good old rich boys” downtown establishment have made it clear that they and the Republican Party will do everything they can do to get Bob Filner out of City Hall.
Has Bob Filner become the mayor with the best manners and been a gentleman … hell no! But then no mayor has had such a bull’s-eye on his back … ever!
Yes, we all would like a “kinder and gentler” Bob Filner but remember trying to change City Hall back to the people and fighting for the common man … trying to stop the good ole rich boys network after decades of control isn’t easy.
Log Cabin Club to host Carl DeMaio
The Log Cabin Republican Club of San Diego will have as its guest speaker former Councilmember Carl DeMaio. The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. March 21 at the Diversionary Theatre. This will be Carl’s first major speaking engagement with a GLBT organization.
The Log Cabin Club, under the leadership of its new president, long-time gay/political activist Susan Jester (founder San Diego AIDS Walk) has become more visible and certainly re-energized.
Many in Washington, D.C. and locally are talking about DeMaio taking on Scott Peters in 2014 and he certainly has a good shot in this congressional “swing” district.
DeMaio still has a very bright future ahead of him but has to be very careful which race he decides to enter. While the mayoral race was indeed the most negative and nasty in our city’s history I believe Carl’s mistake was not being his true moderate self. His Arizona vote did him major harm and his statement that he would not lead on “social issues” upset his very own GLBT community, though his GLBT civil rights voting record on the City Council was near perfect.
Carl DeMaio needs to rebuild his relationships with the people of color and GLBT communities.
He needs people to get to meet and know the real Carl DeMaio not the political consultant-driven campaigner (who gave him real bad advice). Voters do give some candidates a second chance and now it’s all up to Carl on how he decides to re-introduce himself.
Future scheduled speakers for the Log Cabin Club include City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Supervisor Ron Roberts. These are all great San Diegans except the uptight conservative Jan Goldsmith who someone should be honest enough to tell him how badly he needs a new hair piece!
The Maureen O’Connor I remember
Maureen O’Connor made history when she was elected mayor of San Diego. The first woman and the youngest. In her 8-year term she forever changed the image of City Hall, appointing more people of color, gays and lesbians and women in her administration than any mayor before her.
She was the first mayor to walk in our Pride parade and to appoint the first GLBT Advisory Board. She fought for the homeless and others in need.
Maureen O’Connor was one of the best mayors of our city and after she left office she still kept in contact with many of the communities that she loved.
When she was introduced, along with other public officers at Eddie Conlon’s memorial the applause almost tore the roof off!
She gave a big financial donation to Stepping Stone and the last time I spent with her was at the 25th annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner. (She was at the first.) It was a wonderful afternoon and we all had such a good time. Many of you have asked me what I think about the latest news stories about her.
All I have to say is, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
It was my honor to serve Mayor Maureen O’Connor and she remains in my thoughts and prayers.
Dave Roberts: Lei Lounge, March 17
Dave Roberts made history when he was elected to the County Board of Supervisors. This proud gay father of five children beat the odds and all the political pundits and won a hard-fought campaign.
Dave had to loan his campaign some money and now we need to help him pay off his campaign debt (after all he is not a millionaire and has kids to feed).
So I hope you all attend this St. Patrick’s Day Sunday, March 17 for this fun event at Lei Lounge, 4622 Park Blvd. in San Diego from 1-3 p.m. (Cohosted by the Victory Fund.)
You are all invited. Info: 619-239-1721. Thanks!
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last five mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
Good luck with DeMaio and people of color or even fellow glbt’s for that matter, not going to happen, the GOP and Log Cabin crowd has no need for that demographic, other than to vilify to the fringe who hate and fear them to the point of a mental illness.