[Sosfbay-discuss] [GPCA-CCWG] Alex Walker Withdrawal from SD26 Campaign

[Jerry Fritts]

I agree with your assessmnet, Cres.  When I ran in the 4th AD in 2006, I knew that my odds of winning were from hopeless to zero, especially in this heavily conservative Republican area of Placer County.  Yet, I believed that the issues at stake were important to be express in the many venues offered by running.  

The result was over 5,000 votes from people in the district who shared Green Party values and ideas.  As an opportunity to spread our message,  sign up new party members, and debate the issues, I don't regret the effort........after all, even Abraham Lincoln had to run 9 times before he was ever elected.  The bottom line is you may have to run several times, building an electoral base, before achieving success.  In my judgement, that's the effort 3rd party candidates may have to make.

Jerry



________________________________
From: "civillib at comcast.net" <civillib at comcast.net>
To: alexcathy at aol.com
Cc: gplac-forum at lists.cagreens.org; gpca-mediawg at lists.cagreens.org; sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org; gpca-ccwg at cagreens.org
Sent: Friday, February 6, 2009 3:12:58 PM
Subject: Re: [GPCA-CCWG] Alex Walker Withdrawal from SD26 Campaign

I understand and respect your position, Alex. It's always the candidate's call.

That said, all of the things you mentioned are exactly what we could GENERATE if 
there were to be a campaign. Your candidacy gives us a platform to exploit the 
budget situation, the Prop 8 flashback to Dems, etc.

Also - and this happened in my first congressional race as campaign manager - a 
third party candidate's exposure in a special election gives them a great 
opportunity to get publicity and respect from the news media that third parties 
do not normally get during "regular" elections.

Further, after the special election run, and because of your familiarity to 
press (let alone voters), it gives you a better chance during the regular election.

Still, you give good reasons for not pursuing the goal now. Stay in touch,

Cres



alexcathy at aol.com wrote:
> Dear Friends, 
> 
> 
> 
> Monday, February 9, 2009 is the closing date for nominations for the special election for California's 26th State Senate District. After painstakingly analyzing the situation, I have reluctantly decided to withdraw from the campaign.  
> 
> 
> 
> I still believe that 2010 will be a good year for the Green Party.  For that very reason, I have concluded that a 5% or 2% showing by me in a "vanity campaign" would probably do more harm to the “Green Brand” than removing my name from the ballot.  
> 
> 
> 
> I overestimated three factors when I decided to jump into the fray. 
> 
> 
> 
> First, I overestimated the "Obama Effect" and the euphoria about "Change" and a "New Politics" in America.  None of this has "trickled down" to California where Los Angeles Democrats have simply shifted to advertising themselves as "change agents" in a city where they are, in fact, agents of the status quo.
> 
> 
> 
> Second, I overestimated the political effect of California's continuing budget and economic crisis. So far, there is mostly voter indifference to the possibility this state may run out of cash this month. 
> 
> 
> 
> Finally, I thought the passionate reaction to Proposition 8, including large demonstrations in West Los Angeles, might carry over into a revolt against local Democratic leaders who "sat on their hands," and allowed Proposition 8 to pass with "nods and winks" by those local Democratic leaders to gay-bashing religious leaders in my community. It's not happening. 
> 
> 
> 
> I have ther
> efore concluded that my campaign is clearly hopeless. If voters in SD26 want to cast a protest ballot on March 24th, then consider voting for Cindy Varela Henderson of the Peace and Freedom Party (Email: PeaceandFreedom at mail2world.com).  
> 
> 
> 
> I very much appreciate those who signed my nominating petition, the many kind offers of contributions and help, the work done by Lisa Taylor collecting signatures, and especially the hard work done by my wife, Cathy Deppe, during these last crazy weeks.    
> 
> 
> 
> My friends, a green change is gonna come, but the time is not quite right.  
> 
> 
> 
> Peace, 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Alex Walker 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
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