Newsom urges Democrats to return to the base

[davidinalameda]

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid22556.asp

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told a crowd in Iowa on Saturday that Democrats too often shade their views and dive to the political middle, and that has cost the party badly. "If you can't stand on your convictions, you've got a weak foundation," he said. "I would argue we've got to get our foundation in order before we embark on a journey to recapture the imagination of a majority of people."

As mayor, Newsom is best known for his since-thwarted effort to have the city certify civil unions between same-sex couples. His message Sunday at a fundraiser for Democrats working to recapture the Senate was that issues like civil unions are precisely the sort of thing Democrats should face head-on.

"I don't think we have anything to be ashamed of in our party, standing up for the foundation of those principles, which have been historic," Newsom said. "It's what's made the party a viable party in the past."

GO GAVIN GO!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeftCoast]

1. Full disclosure time: I voted against Newsom last time around

But he has more than earned my vote for 2nd term. Way to go Gavin! :thumbsup:

[ronnykmarshall]

9. No longer a San Franciscan ...

but I supported Angela in the first round.

It seems like in all of the mayoral elections when I lived in SF, my second choice was who I voted for in the run off.

[blm]

2. Aren't ALL Dems for civil unions? I hadn't heard that was a problem.

Who was Newsom speaking of on this?

[mestup]

3. Not sure. He was speaking to senate Dems in Iowa.

"He spoke at a private reception for Senate Democrats, and supporters said the party can succeed best by energizing its base by sticking with traditional liberal positions that Democrats have pushed for years."

[blm]

5. I saw that, but don't understand why he is saying Dems should be for civil

unions when all Dems I know of already ARE for civil unions. What is his point that is different from every other Dem on this?

I guess what I don't get is why the lecture on civil unions when 99% of the party is already FOR civil unions?

[davidinalameda]

7. because gay rights are still an issue

that Repukes use very effectively against us

we need our "leaders" to go out and support civil unions, and in some cases, same sex marriage

we need to put the Repukes on the defense on this issue--paint them Repukes as bigots

I can't imagine the measure in Texas passing by over 50 points without some Democrats voting for it

[sui generis]

6. civil unions aren't good enough

neither are 4/5ths of a vote if you have green eyes or red hair or pee sitting down/standing up.

Civil (legal) marriage, outside the church, is about property, financial assets, taxes, and the responsibilities of kinship, including medical and life decisions for your spouse and children.

Civil unions are a half-measure and not de facto protected at the federal level.

We need to be for civil marriage between any two consenting committed adults, because adults make their own decisions.

Keeping some adults from making that decision means society is treating us like wards of the state, or not "quite" adult enough to make these decisions for ourselves.

Dems had better get behind it or we won't be behind the dems.

[sui generis]

4. absolutely

and the base is about the real ideas of America - equality, human decency, responsibility, fairness, and yes, personal and civil liberties.

It's about hope, not fear. It's about pitching in so our children won't grow up in poison and so our parents and elders can afford their medicine AND food. It's about keeping our word, and honoring our contracts - with America and with the world.

It's about honoring a nation of individuals, not a nation of corporate entities. It's about healthy collaberation, not destructive competition, and it's about opportunity.

Why is it so hard for our candidates to get behind these simple messages that all of us can support and cheer for? All it takes is REAL leadership to get people excited about hope instead of twisted with fear.

[porphyrian]

8. Good idea. Think it will catch on? - n/t