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Friday, October 02, 2009

Guest Blog by Sen. Tim Keller: Finding Clarity for Dems in 'Non-Partisan' Mayor's Race

TimKeller This is a guest blog by State Senator Tim Keller (D, SD-17).

I recently watched the movie “Street Fight, the Corey Booker Story” (a great rental, about the now legendary Mayoral race in Newark) and couldn’t help but reflect on why many people get sick of politicians during city elections. If you think the negativity in ABQ is bad this year, be glad we don’t live in Newark J . The movie also made me consider why this Mayoral race is unique and how partisanship can be a clarifying tool to cut through all the rhetoric.

Given where the numbers are, all Democrats strategically have one overarching objective, one we can all agree on: force a run-off by keeping the GOP candidate from getting 40%.

In a runoff, either Dem should win given our city demographics and a good grassroots effort (think Obama, Heinrich, etc). Both Dem candidates, regardless of their histories, have Democratic public records.

Whether a Dem votes for Chavez or Romero, it won’t have an effect on holding Berry below 40%.

I love passionate debates and action packed campaigns, but this late in the game Dem bitter infighting will only help the GOP. It drives down Dem turnout (frustrated, disillusioned people usually don’t vote). The important thing for both candidates right now is to pull votes away from the GOP candidate or else the Dems are out.

The numbers reality for Dems is that we have the equivalent of a Democratic primary. If you’re tired of all the negativity, and tired of politicians, there is clarity: vote for sure, pick a Dem based on your conscience, save your vehemence for the runoff against the GOP, and unite behind the Dem winner after Tuesday.

This is a guest blog by State Sen. Tim Keller. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page. To see a collection of guest blogs published on the DFNM blog, visit our archive.

October 2, 2009 at 08:58 AM in 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral Race, Guest Blogger, Martin Chavez | Permalink

Comments

Thank you Sen. Keller for reestablishing the high ground. The reality of the matter is, most of us Albuquerquenos want the same things. Democracy is fundamentally based on compromise. Division and vitriol only serve to create animosity and bitterness. Thanks again for bringing some fresh air into what has become an extremely, and needlessly, ugly debate.

Posted by: bg | Oct 2, 2009 9:19:41 AM

I vote for Senator Tim Keller! Great clearity, what you wrote is totally right on. We all do want the same things. Believe me if Richard does enter into a primary with berry you will have my full support. Thanks Tim!

Posted by: Mary Ellen | Oct 2, 2009 11:19:47 AM

I fear Richard Romero won't be able to get the votes he needs to beat Berry in a run off but I appreciate Sen. Keller's call for unity. Thank you Senator.

Posted by: Loyal Dem | Oct 2, 2009 11:22:50 AM

Good post. I'll vote for either Democrat if they get into the runoff. We can't let Berry win. He's bad news!

Posted by: JJ | Oct 2, 2009 11:43:09 AM

I already voted for Romero and I hope he gets into a runoff with Berry but if it's the Mayor I'll vote for him. This bad stuff stirred up by the campaigns and some of Romero's supporters is crazy.

Posted by: Progressive D | Oct 2, 2009 1:45:37 PM

I wonder what happened to all those people who were ranting and raving on the other threads about the mayors race. I hope they read this one.

Posted by: Old Dem | Oct 2, 2009 4:12:24 PM

Just to emphasize the importance of electing a Democrat, right-wing religious fundamentalist Nora Espinoza (HD 59 rep, my opponent) has endorsed Berry...

KKIM: State Rep. Nora Espinoza says Albuquerque voters need to elect RJ Berry for Mayor for his stance against same sex marriage/Values.

Posted by: Ellen Wedum | Oct 3, 2009 12:48:43 AM

If Romero is in a runoff, I will walk for him.

Posted by: Concerned Progressive | Oct 3, 2009 12:14:14 PM

Late comment, but..

This reasoning is flawed. Sure, a vote for either Dem is not a vote for Berry. But, the result could be:

Berry 41
Dem1 30
Dem2 29

Berry wins outright, which would not have happened if the Dem votes would have gone to one candidate.

Posted by: Frank | Oct 6, 2009 11:30:20 AM

Good point, Frank.

Posted by: barb | Oct 6, 2009 12:15:53 PM