The Era of Democratic Conciliation is Over?

I think I’m ODing on Schadenfreude.

These past few weeks have had me just in awe in the response of the Downtown Powers-that-be over Mayor Bob Filner’s actions in vetoing the Port and the failure to override, especially the U-T’s editorial. I don’t which I love more. The fact that Bob is exercising the power given to him by the strong mayor position that the Powers-that-be backed or the fact that they thought Democrat that would eventually be elected Mayor would be someone that would follow the unwritten rule that you never, ever, mess around with Downtown and the Downtown interests.

That was always the rules if you were Democrat that wanted electoral success in San Diego. You would either kow-tow to the Powers-that-be and be allowed to do some of your pet projects with the knowledge that when the time came you would support them in some project that they needed to build up Downtown or the Convention Center. Then they would support you when you ran for some office either in Washington or Sacramento.

Eventually a Democrat would be elected Mayor so the powers-that-be hopes were that it would be a go-along-get-along Dem that they loved dealing with like a Tony Young or a Todd Gloria. I mean the recent Port vote reeked of the typical go-along-get-along deals that permeated for years in the Council.

But I think the Mayor and some of the City Council have done the math and made the conclusion that with a Democrat being elected in the Fourth District later this year that the Era of Democratic Conciliation is Over and that Democrats must be the voice of those who see San Diego as more than just a Convention Center and an Embarcadero. That there are communities north of Laurel St, east of 16th St and south of Imperial Ave.

And I think this message will resonate as long as the Mayor and some on the Council continue in the strong resolve that they have been showing.

And watching the Powers-that-be flip out is just a huge bonus. 

The Republican's new best friend on the San Diego City Council.

Four years ago the voters of District Three voted for a Councilmember that they felt would continue in the path of Christine Kehoe and Toni Atkins and be a voice for Democratic values on the Council. Of course there were those who were saying "Caveat Emptor" and were supporting Stephen Whitburn. They felt that Mr. Gloria's views could be prone to mailability for the right prize. However those gripes were shunted aside with the response that at the end of the day Todd would do the right thing by San Diego and that a little pragmatism is best in a city that has a Republican strong Mayor. 

For a while that was the case as Todd pushed for stricter guidelines on new Wal-Mart Supercenters within city limits but not for an outright ban in 2010 and for the creation of a permanent shelter in Downtown but things began to change once redistricting happened. With the addition of Downtown to D3 and the removal of City Heights to D9 there seemed to be shift by Todd to be more pragmatic than usual. 

When Tony Young announced his departure from the Council and Todd declaring his intent to succeed Tony as Council President there were fears among Democratic observers that somehow Tony would broker his vote to support Republican Kevin Faulconer since he was seen at GOP's best friend on the council. 

Yet at the 11th hour Faulconer backed down and Todd unanimously became Council President and many breathed a sigh of relief. Yet some observers were a little concerned that perhaps a deal was brokered and the terms may have been something big enough to let the GOP backdown without a fight.

Fast Forward to this past Monday and yesterday and perhaps the terms of the brokered deal was the Port vote and to act as a firewall to New Mayor. 

It is possible, especially with Kevin acting as the de facto leader of the GOP on the council and both he and Todd have friends in common like consultant Jennifer Tierney, who recently headed up the Bonnie Dumanis mayoral campaign and is the consultant for both Kevin and Todd tool.

If anything there seems to be more leadership coming from David Alvarez than Todd among the Democratic council members and is more and more being seen as the adult in the room. 

After all it was Alvarez who nominated the openly Democratic candidates for Port Commission and has been the most consistent vote on the issues that Democrats care about like living wage jobs, open and accessible government and the environment. Also his seemingly close relationships with Marti Emerald, Sherri Lightner and the Mayor have given him increased leverage and power in City Hall. 

In fact it is within the realm of possibility that we could be seeing a 5-4 council with the GOP running the table thanks to their new best friend. 

I mean after all, you do need a lot of money to run for Congress, right?

Thursday - Quick Hits

Blackwater permits cannot be appealed claims a city official. UT

City to use state bond funds to repair roads. UT

Campaign over height limit initiative in Chula Vista is becoming heated. UT

Port leases land from Navy so hotel project can move forward. UT

Despite city council opposition growth initiative in San Marcos qualifies for November ballot. UT

Thursday - Quick Hits

Must be an election year, mayor Sanders moves to close controversial pension program. UT

Police officers agree to a 6% pay raise. UT

Chula Vista councilman Steve Castaneda to testify in his trial. UT

Mayor Sanders steals an idea from Steve Francis, and wants the CCDC to help pay for the bonds that built Petco Park. UT

Carlsbad Desal plant gets a conditional go-ahead from San Diego County Water Resources Board. UT

Ports seeks to fight developer sponsored ballot proposal aimed at turning 10th Ave. Terminal into a stadium. VOSD

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Greg Cox voted chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. UT

Port Commission votes to approve Lane Field projects as waterfront continues to be overdeveloped. UT

Continuation of the nanny state, city of El Cajon to consider making it harder for minors to purchase tobacco paraphernalia. UT

Viejas tribe partners with major concert promoter to delevop amjor concert venue. UT

Business in Oceanside along Sprinter Rail line blame it for flooding. UT

City of San Marcos creates University Village task force. NC Times

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Potero Planning Board to reconsider previous board's approval of Blackwater camp. UT

Developers of two hotels on Lane Field property seek coastal permit from Port Commission today. UT

Chula Vista city council to decide on rezoning church property so developer can build subdivisions. UT

Kiplinger's rated UCSD 11th on a national list of 100 best values in public education. UT

Start of North County Sprinter service to be delayed. UT

Attempt by San Diego tribe to build off reservation casino has major setback. UT