Dangerous Ideas

The East Bay Express has a great article on how a single city council seat could make a huge difference in Oakland. It’s about how pro-development incumbent Pat Kernighan is trying to rebrand herself as a progressive due to the popularity of challenger Aimee Allison.

At her core, Pat Kernighan is a buttoned-down, pro-business, pro-development Democrat. She’s the darling of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and throughout her career has allied herself with Oakland’s most pro-business politician — City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente. But now, at least publicly, Kernighan has reversed course. Her moderate credentials and political ties have become a liability.

Kernighan has accepted lots of money from developers, has voted consistently for them, and has been a past ally of council president Ignacio De La Fuente (who’s under investigation by the FBI). Aimee Allison, on the other hand, was a conscientious objector of the first Gulf War and has worked against military recruitment in schools ever since. Allison won’t accept any contributions from developers, and she has the support of progressive groups.

Anyway, if you live in Oakland (especially D2!) I recommend reading the article – it outlines some clear differences between the two candidates, and why progressives need to come out and support Aimee Allison for city council. This last week before the election is critical and if you have time to volunteer on a campaign, this is a good one. Not only will you get a chance to meet with and talk to Aimee herself, but working with a smaller electorate, you can more easily see the effect you’ll have on the outcome.