Gonzalez: Don’t Cry For Me, San Francisco

But despite Newsom the candidate being unbeatable this year, Newsom’s agenda for San Francisco is a very different story. While progressives have struggled to elect one of their own as Mayor, Newsom has proven that he has no coattails – while progressives have racked up an impressive number of legislative and electoral accomplishments. Letting the Teflon Mayor get re-elected by default is not such a terrible proposition, when you take the long-term approach of a movement that will outlive any election.

I can’t say I blame Gonzalez for choosing not to run. Newsom remains very popular, and has a well-heeled political operation. He’s already been endorsed by most labor unions, and has made serious inroads with the LGBT community – two crucial constituencies for a progressive candidate. And many of Gonzalez’s hard-core supporters, essential for running a campaign, have for various reasons been deeply disillusioned with him.

After extensive polling and focus groups, Gonzalez concluded that while voters are concerned with the City’s problems – including the homicide rate, homelessness and Muni – they don’t think that Newsom is to blame for it. Although the Mayor appoints all seven Muni directors, appoints the Chief of Police and made homelessness his signature issue, Newsom – who governs by press release – is somehow perceived by the average voter as hands-on.

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