Leaders Lead
There’s been a lot of complaining about Democratic leadership (and the lack therof) lately. I could probably find a half dozen examples from this week alone. I’ll spare you a rehash of the standard “what’s wrong with ____?” post and just point to this powerful example of what happens when a politician is put in a position between following his heart and following the polls. Here’s the Republican mayor of San Diego (via waxy):
Sad to think that I can’t remember the last time I saw a politician being this honest.
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That was very touching and well said.
Comment by Becky — September 28, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
It’s sad to reflect on: a liberal is a conservative with a gay daughter. Dick and Lynn Cheney excepted of course.
Comment by paulo — September 28, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
Tonight I am not ashamed of what my country has become. I can remember what made us great once, and I hope that we can become great again.
Comment by Scott — September 28, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
Soctt -> I agree. I just sent a very similar statement to the mayor’s office:
http://www.sandiego.gov/mayor/contact/index.shtml
I encourage you to do the same. He’s certainly going to get negative feedback, it’s important to let him know those opinions do not represent everyone.
Comment by Jeff — September 29, 2007 @ 7:45 am
It is touching, but it strikes me that he is not “brave” or a “leader” here. I suppose that he is going against the majority view in the city, but he gives a nervous, halting, blubbering speech, and it sounds like he was lobbied hard by daughter and staff alike. He runs away without taking questions. He is scared that he has just committed political suicide, and is probably going to make all kinds of calls to democrats to see about switching parties.
A leader would have looked the audience in the eye, told them that history is watching, and we must all do what is right, and applaud the council’s ruling, that the national GOP is wrong on this issue, and then taken all questions about his change of heart head on.
Comment by winner — September 29, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Awesome. The man is standing on the side of love.
Even if he has different political views than I do, the strength of will and intestinal fortitude it took to change his mind and suffer the slings and arrows of hate and fear-filled homophobes earns my respect a hundred-fold.
Good for him!
I’ve gotta say, though, I was half expecting him to come out… I’m a baaaaaad boy! I mean, his wife standing there with a blank look on her face-it’s a scene we’ve seen a few times lately…
Comment by Eric Allen — September 30, 2007 @ 12:13 am