Will Todd Chretien's Campaign Against Dianne Feinstein Catch Fire?

Todd Chretien's 10 A.M. announcement took place on time in front of three-term incumbent Senator Dianne Feinstein's office in downtown San Francisco.

The small crowd, consisting mostly of Bay Area Green Party stalwarts, waved printed signs to show their support for Chretien and disapproval of the war in Iraq. The overall mood among the attendees was collegial, polite, and curious. Was history being made?

Nativo Lopez, Dr. Jess Ghannam, Aimee Allison, Forrest Hill (Candidate for California Secretary of State), Gayle McGlaughlin, Renee Saucedo. and former City Supervisor Matt Gonzalez attended the rally and gave short speeches of endorsement. Peter Camejo, a former California gubernatorial candidate and independent Ralph Nader's presidential running mate in 2004 was notably absent (apparently due to a medical convalescence), but a statement of his was read by Matt Gonzalez. Also absent was Green San Francisco City Supervisor, Ross Mirkirimi, who was said to be attending city business.

Todd Chretien spoke last: he largely described how Dianne Feinstein is disconnected from the people she represents-- notably by her tacit support for the war in Iraq, and a host of oppressive policies that ruin the lives of average Californians.

Journalists were given opportunities to question the candidate and take pictures.

The big unanswered question:

Will Chretien's campaign catch fire with the people?

Much can happen between now and election day.

(For the record: I am endorsing Todd Chretien because I agree with his stances on the major issues and even more simply because he has always struck me as a decent and well principled person. I also hope that a unified Green Party will ask Peter Camejo to run for governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger and ask Matt Gonzalez to run against Nancy Pelosi. More than integrity alone, these times require audacious imagination, not caution-- not only from our leaders, but from ourselves. As the old saying goes: "No Risk, No Reward.")

Todd Chretien's Campaign Website: