I don't think I've ever been in quite this position before. A Koster left a legitimately newsworthy comment in a diary of mine that had already died down. I noted to her that few people if any would see it invited her to post her own diary. (It was posted in two other dead diaries as well; mine was the only comment to any of the three.) I've received no reply. So, I'm appointing myself press secretary for the day and putting out her statement. I'm scheduling it for late morning, PDT; I may not be around then, but I'm really not necessary for this conversation. This is in effect her diary, not mine.
For the record, I strongly favored Debra Bowen in the CA-36 primary, but I did so without animus towards Janice Hahn (who will be a good House Member) or Marcy Winograd (whom I like but whom I wish had not run.)
Because this statement addresses an important theme not only in the CA-36 election but more broadly, I think that it's appropriate to take advantage of the fact that our comments are not copyrighted and give it a broader audience. It's a long comment and she clearly put a lot of thought and emotion into it. Without taking any position on it -- and I know that she may have strong supporters and detractors here -- I think that more people should see it. My publishing it myself seems to be the only way to make that happen.
So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls: Here's Marcy Winograd's commentary on the results of the 2011 CA-36 "top two" primary. Everything after the gnocchi is hers. You may want to read it. (As she does on her website, she endorses Janice Hahn. Good for her.) I can say one thing: civility and thoughtfulness in your own comments will probably lead to a happier and more productive comments section than will the opposite.
Why I ran (1+ / 0-)
Why I Ran (0+ / 0-)
Until I entered the race, I did not hear mainstream candidates talking (though I had hoped I would) about ending multiple wars and drone attacks, exiting Afghanistan now, challenging current middle east policy, or transitioning from a war economy to a job-rich life-affirming economy. My past supporters urged me to run because they wanted a strong progressive in the seat.
I felt I had every right to run, given my near 41% of the vote last June in the 36th congressional district, and the volunteer infrastructure I had built through a great deal of work and sweat over the years. I had supported Debra Bowen in the past in her run for SOS, and, like many of you, appreciated the fact that she would protect our 55 electoral votes until her term ran out in 2015.
It would be a breach of confidence to share everything that preceded or followed my decision to run, but please understand that not to run felt like a betrayal to thousands of US soldiers who have died in these senseless wars, an untold number of people who have been killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, the progressive base in the 36th District who longed and ached for years for a real progressive to take Harman's seat, and to my own ideals and beliefs. I was floored when I read the pledge Hahn wrote and Bowen signed that pledged 30-billion for Israel, supported Israel's "right" to determine its capitol wherever it wanted, called for a two-state solution as long as Palestine had no defense, and condemned all anti-Israel rhetoric with a heavy-duty personal attack on me.
Upon entering the race, the tone and content of the discourse shifted to getting out of Afghanistan and, to some extent, focusing on creating Green jobs for aerospace. When the LA Times endorsed Hahn, the editorial staff cited no discernible policy differences between Hahn and Bowen.
Either Hahn or Bowen, of course, would be far superior to Craig Huey, a Tea Party slate mailer no one saw coming and appeared buffoonish at forums -- calling for the elimination of all regulations and the virtual gutting of the EPA. I will be surprised if Bowen does not make the run-off, given the thousands of ballots still to be counted and her strong base of support in the South Bay/Torrance area, where most of the absentees are cast.
Ultimately, we have to create jobs that will end this war economy and create a new one. I am hopeful that if this issue stays front and center, the next Democrat who takes this seat -- and it will be a Democrat -- will pursue this objective with our support.
Marcy Winograd Progressive Democrat
by marcy winograd on Thu May 19, 2011 at 06:46:25 AM PDT
Marcy Winograd Progressive Democrat