Blumner: Rocky Anderson may be 'America's Mayor'

[helderheid]

By Robyn Blumner
Tribune Media Services


Robyn Blumner
President Bush is commemorating the fifth anniversary of 9/11 by reminding us of all we have to fear.
In his speech before the Military Officers Association of America, Bush spent about as much time quoting Osama bin Laden and other dangerous foes as speaking in his own words. The specter of enemies everywhere will help the Republicans in the midterm elections. It is truly the party for the scared.
On the other hand, the Democrats seem to be the party of the scared. Democrats in Congress, with a few notable exceptions, keep leaning right or hunkering down in the noncommittal middle so as not to be seen as helping the terrorists, or cutting and running, or channeling Neville Chamberlain, or appearing to be whatever absurd appellation the Republican slime machine has thought up. This defensive posture and their continued focus on Bush's agenda for the country rather than their own is not doing the Democrats any favors. The prospects for Democrats may be rising, but that is because Americans are running from Bush, not toward them.
With political courage in such short supply, my suggestion is that Democrats take a gander at what Rocky Anderson, the mayor of Salt Lake City, has been doing for the past six years. Here, in the reddest of red states, is a leader who acts out of conviction and who speaks powerfully for progressive causes, regardless of the political consequences.
I know Anderson and consider him a friend, but I would be writing this even if I didn't know him. Anderson, a 55-year-old former civil rights lawyer, has made national waves with his forthright condemnation of the Bush administration and his energetic approach to thinking globally and acting locally. What Anderson has brought to the Wasatch front is a form of bold and hopeful leadership that seems to takes its cue more from the ''West Wing's'' Jed Bartlet than from real-life Harry Reid.
Salt Lake City is a relatively progressive place compared to the rest of Utah. Even so, Anderson is not afraid to push buttons that mayors of far more liberal cities shy away from touching. Anderson's 2006 State of the City speech was marked by a special call for equal treatment for gays and lesbians. Anderson has made it clear that he supports same-sex marriage - not the tepid, unequal alternative of civil unions or domestic partnerships. In his speech, Anderson pointedly noted that gays and lesbians have been ''consistently marginalized'' due to ''hateful prejudice, generated by a lack of acquaintance, understanding, and consequent fear.'' How many politicians would say it that straight?

Much more here:

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_4317195

[helderheid]

1. Kick for another Salt Lake Tribune must see TOON 9/11

[bluethruandthru]

2. I love Rocky!

He almost makes me wish I still lived in SLC!

[helderheid]

3. I expect he won't be here for long - I think he'll be a national figure

very soon!

[Momgonepostal]

5. I hear he is not planning another run for mayor

Do you think he stands a chance at winning a senatorial or gubernatorial race? I could seen him carrying SL County, but everyhere else is sooooo right wing. It would almost be worth it to move back to Utah to vote for him. :-)

[helderheid]

4. .

[madokie]

6. Rocky is definitely a keeper

He would get my vote any day for anything.

[helderheid]

7. same here :)