Back to the drawing board re SD 61B
It appears from the article in Southside Pride that Farheen has molted - into a "mugwump"! Oh, bother. That darned ol' cognitive dissonance again.
Uncharitably, this comes across as a "false flag" operation - join the DFL, snarf up contact lists, push the bona fide candidates into an expensive primary contest and create a significant drain on DFL volunteer resources.
Charitably, Farheen is in a tough spot. She must somehow persuade scores of delegates that their capacity to endorse - to evaluate, to influence, to choose - ought not obtain. How is this credible?
Not my cup of tea. I'm preparing helpful materials for the possible DFL endorsee. That's my clear message.
Fred Markus
»
- Fredric Markus's blog
- Login to post comments
Stumble It!
Just to clarify...
For those of you who, like me, weren't entirely sure of what Fred is talking about ...
That is surprising news, since most observers would have predicted that Hakeem would caucus with the Green Party on March 4.
(Southside Pride)
This just means that Jeff Hayden will not have a cakewalk to attain the DFL endorsement. I'm confused as to why Farheen would switch to the DFL from the Green Party. Obviously, this is a developing story.
To be fair
People can and do switch political parties. I don't think anyone complained when Dean Johnson and Judi Dutcher became Democrats.
And Jeff Hayden doesn't own this seat.
I'm not confused; she wants
I'm not confused; she wants to win.
But why urge no endorsement
But why urge no endorsement unless she is doing it specifically to hurt the DFL.
DFL and Greens
She probably wants no endorsement because she doesn't think she can get it herself - Hayden appears to be the DFL-selected candidate already.
I don't know how someone running in the DFL primary hurts the DFL. Isn't it worse to have a Green candidate siphoning off DFL votes (i.e Ralph Nader in Florida 2000). Having the Green-minded candidate run in the DFL primary should be exactly what the DFL wants. If the DFL shuts out Green-minded candidates who come to the DFL, they will just go back to the Green party and run in the general election.
A warm welcome! A sigh for timing
The problems of timing. In a short race like this, the DFL needed a candidate. Had Farheen been the first one in the DFL, then people could have rallied around her before anyone else declared. Now Farheen has a race, she must get her people to the caucus, and those people must volunteer to become delegates.
As Democrats, we need to grow to win. I would much rather grow by adding Greens which are perfectly in sync with our values and our platform, then try to accommodate people who do not fully support our values and our platform. So everyone lets fully welcome the new Democrats. After the welcome, you can explain who you are voting for and why. If we can unite after picking our candidate, then in many ways this a great day for everyone involved.
So I am not a part of this district, can the Democrats here at least warmly welcome the new Democrats, even though people may already be committed to a campaign?
Well, Grace, I'm not part of
Well, Grace, I'm not part of that district either. And I agree with you - she should be welcomed, as the DFL should be the Big Tent Party.
And I did NOT mean my above comment disparagingly; I mean, if you don't want to win, why would you run?
Speaking Broadly
Sorry Twoputt, I did not mean to be speaking to your point. I was speaking broadly. I as a progressive, have felt our power torn and reduced because of two parties. I love progressives and I would love to see us all united. I hope that we could have a powerful DFL Green caucus. It is a dream that would take a major effort and would not necessarily happen in one election run. It is a dream worth building.
Many people have worked together for years, so there is long loyalty built. If they commit, they cannot back out. Keeping a party going is tricky business, and the juggling is hard. So I as a newcomer was broadly welcomed, however it was a juggling act. Basically through human history, we have had more fights with people who are closest to us instead of fights with those most opposed to us. That "unite" part after choosing is the hardest part.
Why would you run?
When you are talking about the Green (Getting Republicans Elected Every November) Party, whether or not the candidate actually wants to win is a fair question.
Ethically challenged Green Farheen's Strategy...
Is to campaign at the DFL caucuses on February 5th, then accept the Green Party's coronation at the March 4th caucus. And I do mean singular "caucus"- the Greens will be lucky to have one caucus per district.
Can be checked out
Lets call and ask. This doesn't sound like something a Green would do. Greens are invested in ethics and morals. I know of at least one green who would be offended.
Greens?
The Greens are interested in ethics and morals? Like when they nomninated a pro-war guy to run against Paul Wellstone? Like when their party is funded by Republicans? Like Dean "money, money, money" Zimmerman?
Have you met Zimmerman?
I met Mr Zimmerman at a dinner, when he had cut his hand with a saw. The gentleman has a focus problem, that was really evident in the conversation and with the hand. Basically, I don't think he was focussed enough to understand the conversation that he had, for which he was arrested.
A focus problem?
Grace, the guy was caught on video taking a bribe and is going to spend five years in federal prison.
No! I'm running as a Green; Ed Felien got it wrong!
Hello all,
Ed Felien took an e-mail that I wrote, completely misinterpreted it, and thought I was running as a DFLer.
I am going to the DFL caucus (and need volunteers if any of you are interested) to pass out my literature, NOT to caucus. I probably would not be allowed to enter the room when the process is happening, but will pleasantly stand outside meeting and greeting DFLers.
I did this before when I ran for County Commissioner. In SD62, I stood outside the auditorium, where the Sargent of Arms kicked me out or Roosevelt High School. In SD61, I stood outside of the auditorium, where people were very polite, and engaged with me in South High School.
For the record, I am running as a Green, and seeking a Green party endorsement. Don't be surprised, however, if I am at DFL events. C'mon, you all show up at Green events and we don't kick you out.
Thanks Eric Pusey for giving me the heads up about this.
Farheen
A sigh of relief
In short, Ed blew it badly. Unlike him, with so many years in harness.
Anyway, I can go back to my previous profile which was that Farheen, like Jeff Hayden and Mike Katch, is good people. I can go back to what I was doing before I was so awkwardly interrupted, namely using public source data to spell out where likely and most recent voters are to be found in SD 61B's twelve precincts.
It will be a fascinating election year.
Fred Markus
What about the email urging "no-endorsement"
Farheen - glad to see you have responded. Can you post the complete email you sent Felien? The article wasn't written by Felien.