Editor:
While I admire Sylvia De Rooy and often find myself in agreement with her, I think her letter (Mailbox, March 29) misreads history. Sylvia wrote “I think this county has an awful lot of people who are hurting and who understand that the only way out of this hurt is with a truly progressive candidate … and that’s Norman Solomon.”?It’s a nice sentiment, but history suggests that whenever people become more fearful, they swing conservative. That’s why ads like Willie Horton are so effective.?We are fortunate to have many appealing candidates for Congress. Susan Adams will get my vote.
Susan Adams has devoted her life to helping people as a nurse and professor of nursing. She has established a proven record as a capable political leader in Marin, able to pass legislation in addition to talking about it. She was the champion behind the Marin Energy Authority, winning an important political victory against PG&E.
Susan Adams led the effort to establish the Marin Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer group of health care professions that has received national recognition. She is an experienced negotiator who wants to knit us together rather than further divide us. In person, she is charming and approachable. She has family in Humboldt.?I think Norman Solomon is great, and I’m grateful for the important work he does. I’m voting for Susan Adams.
Mitch Trachtenberg, Trinidad
This article appears in The World is Yours, Oyster Farmer.
All the democratic contenders think Norman Solomon is great, that’s why all their platforms mirror Solomon’s, with the exception of Jared Huffman.
And that’s why polls show voters are backing the only candidate capable of defeating Huffman, the candidate who has spent the last 35 years effectively advancing progressive values.The candidate who has developed the knowledgeable, calm, reasoned debating skill desperately needed in top levels of government.
The REAL problem with well-intended liberal voters, and today’s liberal/democratic candidates, is their fear of rising fascism amid the New Depression and, thus, the irrational (self-defeating) desire to appeal to right-wing (aka “conservative”) voters.
The results have been disastrous.
Half America’s eligible voters do not bother to register, citing little difference between the two political parties.
Those who hear Solomon, understand his compelling mastery over the issues…but, you won’t hear him, his documentaries, or his numerous interviews on our local “public” television station KEET.
And there will be no LWV local debate.
Mr. McLevin’s comment is just bizarre. First, sir, name something specific where Huffman’s platform is somehow weaker or inferior to Solomon’s on any issue. Much as the Solomon folks try to paint Huffman as less than progressive, they never cite anything. That drives me nuts.
Second, no poll that I’ve seen shows Solomon in close contention. In fact, more recent rumors of polling indicate that Solomon is fading fast. And we know from financial reports that his fundraising has lost steam and he is almost out of money.
Finally, Solomon needs to tell the truth. At the recent seniors forum, he false claimed that AFSCME has endorsed him. After a few quick calls, a friend of mind confirmed that this is FALSE! How can Solomon continue to say these things and expect people to take him seriously?
Solomon lacks the viability, credibility, and veracity to represent us in Congress. He should stick to being an activist, where details and accountability aren’t part of the job description.
Don’t be offended if I wait to confirm your accusation. Falsely claiming endorsements is a serious charge, we’ll see if it’s true.
Differences that I’ve read about, between the candidates, regarding water being shipped south and the Klamath damn are insignificant to me, and probably everyone else.
Once again, I claimed that “ALL the candidate’s platforms mirror Solomon’s”, and that a weary public, beaten down by a countless parade of DINO appeasers, have been driven away for a generation, showing no signs of coming back.
They number half the potential electorate!!!
Having just endured 4 years of a president who hammered all the SAME progressive issues that ALL the democratic contenders are hammering locally…(while continuing Bush’s wars, bailouts, ineffective Wall Street reform, health care reform, NAFTA reform, job-creation legislation and on and on…), you can safely assume that there will be no change in registration statistics, with poorer turnout at the polls, and even more “progressive democrats” eager to embrace republican values and call it “pragmatism”.
That’s why, if citizens could hear Solomon and his history, they will be more interested in supporting candidates that can easily prove a lifetime of effectively advancing progressive values.
Exactly the kind of support Obama lacks in D.C.
Jared Huffman’s PAC contributions total 97,403.00
Norman Soloman PAC $4,244.
Well this is a wonderful set-up for the release of any Jared poll. Huffman knows this race is between him and Norman. Huffman’s campaign and supporters are going to spin things, just like any machine democrat, and paint Norman as being underfunded. When in reality the bulk of Norman’s funding comes from grassroots (read–individuals not corporate PACS).
Norman stood up an explained his statement very clearly at the Seniors forum. Perhaps the other campaign people weren’t listening. I wish someone could have stood up and asked the Huffman campaign if they take money from Walmart, etc. That wasn’t allowed.
The very reason this thread has turned to a discussion of Norman is because the other campaigns understand that this new second district has the power to send a real progressive to Congress and we don’t have to settle for those with blind party alliegance and without spines moving us further and further to the right and caving in on Progressive issues. Most states don’t even have this option. We have to get the job done right. Humboldt can and will send a real Progressive to Congress.
Well written!
It is for that reason that none of the national, state or local democrat or republican machines have bothered to launch a door-to-door canvass to educate and register voters. (Local democrats could take Cheryl Seidner’s resume in-hand to educate and register many new voters by showing how Humboldt County could have representatives with actual leadership credentials who are finally independent from the development community).
Unfortunately, well-heeled democrats fear that a truly progressive electorate exists amid the unregistered majority and that their Chesbro/Thompson/ Huffman “pragmatists” would no longer stand a chance.
Republicans have ALWAYS known this and are famous for fighting all legislation that would make it easier to register, easier to vote, and that make votes count via ranked-choice, etc. .
As someone on the Norman Solomon campaign staff, I generally don’t engage in these kinds of online discussions. However, in this case I feel it is necessary to set the record straight.
First, Norman Solomon has been endorsed by AFSCME California. This is a fact. You may want to check with local delegates who attended the AFSCME California PEOPLE Conference last month.
Additionally, the Solomon campaign just had its best fundraising quarter yet. Again, this is a fact. Details will be posted on the Federal Election Commission website in mid-April.
Who would have thought “Gladys Knight” is a liar?
Sad.