A rational, reasoned response.

From the comments on the Ward 1 race over at MPP.

When does someone become a member of the DFL Party? (0.00 / 0)

At DFL precinct caucuses participants are asked to sign in and attest that that they are eligible to vote in the upcoming election, they agree with the principles & platform the DFL, & are not a current active member of any other political party. Once someone signs up and votes at a DFL precinct caucus they are considered a Democrat and a member of the DFL Party. We need to welcome and engage anyone that comes to the party not shun them for not coming to their senses sooner.
With that said:

I've known Doron since 2002 (as a neighbor) and have only ever experienced him as a member of the DFL. He's been a strong party activist who has helped DFL candidates like Jill Davis get elected to school board. I've volunteered side by side with Doron as we knocked on doors & at phone banks for Keith Ellison in 2006. We've marched in neighborhood parades for DFL candidates together and I've been to Klobuchar events at his house. We've sat next to each other at lengthy DFL meetings, including the marathon 2005 city and park board convention. I've seen Doron organize and empower participants on progressive issues from the level of our precinct caucuses all the way to the DFL State Convention. If Doron isn't an example of an active, engaged, & progressive DFL party member, I'm not sure what is.

If you are looking for "progressive street cred" it should also be noted that Doron is a member of TakeAction Minnesota and the only candidate in this race who is a graduate of Camp Wellstone's candidate track. He's also an 8 year volunteer with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and led Hurricane Katrina Relief trip with his church youth group. I've planted neighborhood trees with Doron and fought for pedestrian friendly locally owned businesses with him too. To me Doron is a neighborhood progressive leader because he worked to help get our first ever LEED house in NE Minneapolis as well as a community bike path.

The other candidates in this race also have progressive and party experiences but I don't see their qualifications being questioned in this same negative manner. If such things were being said about any of them I'd come right to their defense too because they are my neighbors!

All of these candidates have much to contribute to our party and our neighborhoods. I urge people to look at who these candidates are today and what they want to do for the community they wish to represent. All of these candidates are neighbors and members of our party and will remain so after the race is over.

Let's keep the conversation positive rather than judging people solely based on how long they have lived in the area or how long they have been a member of the party. The party deserves better representation and so does Ward 1.

Shocking News: Ward 1 City Council Race

Joe over at MPP has a post up tonight talking about the Minneapolis City Council race in Ward 1, with the convention coming up in Saturday.

The earth shattering news was that Doron Clark was conservative when he was in college and was quoted in a Washington Post live Q&A more than 11 years ago.

Hamline University student: Doron Clark: As a conservative, I find it difficult to not question what Clinton says, but I have learned that we must take our time when evaluating the statements of the press and the president. I feel that in time we will learn the truth, but until then we are unfortunately stuck with whatever is fed to us.

And what about our DFL endorsed Congressional Candidate Ashwin Madia. In the 2000 presidential race, Madia volunteered for Senator John McCain.

Madia was a moderate Republican until 2002, when his positions on social issues and Iraq led him to the Democratic Party.

The ability to take a reasoned approach based on our collective experiences is important.

Let's be clear. Being "conservative" in 1998 is vastly different than being "conservative" in 2009. Do I need to go through the last 8 years under Bush?

Had Doron stated his in 2006, we'd have a problem.

2009...not so much.

Here's what Doron and the campaign had to say about this shocking revelation:

"I was raised by Minnesota Independent Republican parents who valued responsive government that cared for people. After my father died when I was 9, my family relied on the government for help, public school education, food stamps, reduced cost school lunches, and social security to make ends meet and survive. My family and I recognized the need for strong community and government organizations to provide help in difficult times. At the same time as my father's death, my mother was purged from the Republican Party for her views on choice. Still, much of my family remained in the party and it was not until after I graduated from college (during the sprint to war after the 9-11 attacks) that I re-examined my party affiliation and recognized what my friends had known for years: Doron Clark is a progressive DFLer."

Political espionage days before the convention?

Perhaps.

I sure hope our attentive alternative and main stream media hounds are also doing their due diligence and checking out the public record on all our candidates...

Caucus for Clark tonight!

Minneapolis caucuses are this evening and Doron needs you support.

Ward 1 Caucuses (all precincts)
March 3 7:00 pm
Northeast Middle School
2955 Hayes Street NE

Can’t attend? Download the absentee letter and a volunteer supporting Doron Clark will pick it up. Call 612.987.8142 or email volunteer@doronclark.com to ask someone to pick it up.

Having been recently endorsed by AFSCME, the Stonewall DFL caucus, and Minnesota ACORN, Doron and the campaign is gaining significant momentum.

You can help Doron build on this tremendous momentum by supporting him at the caucuses tonight.

Doron Clark Endorsed by Minnesota ACORN

Got a text from Doron's campaign manager earlier today. A formal announcement came via email later...

Minnesota ACORN PAC Endorses Slate of Candidates

Minneapolis candidates commit to fight for working families

Minneapolis, Minn. – Members of Minnesota ACORN Political Action Committee endorsed a slate of candidates for Mayor and city council in Minneapolis. The endorsements come a day before the March 3rd precinct caucuses and sets the candidates on the path to win critical support from other organizations that work for social justice.

ACORN PAC's Endorsed Candidates:

Mayor: RT Rybak
City Council:
Ward 1 - Doron Clark
Ward 5 - Don Samuels
Ward 6 - Robert Lilligren
Ward 9 - Gary Schiff
Ward 10 - Matt Filner
Ward 11 - John Quincy

“These candidates are committed to fighting for working families,” said Sunday Alabi, the Chair of ACORN’s Political Action Committee. “From fighting predatory lenders and preventing foreclosures to creating living wage jobs and workplace dignity, these candidates have worked hard to help low and moderate income communities. We’re proud to send them to City Hall.”

Winning the endorsement of an organization that serves low- and moderate-income communities and addresses issues such as affordable housing, health care, and poverty may help the candidates gain the endorsement of the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party.

Doron Clark Endorsed by Stonewall DFL

On the heels of an AFSCME endorsement and a great fundraising period, Clark has tremendous momentum going into the caucuses and the convention.

STONEWALL DFL ENDORSES DORON CLARK FOR CITY COUNCIL

“I’m honored by Stonewall DFL’s endorsement,” Doron Clark stated in accepting the group’s endorsement. “I fundamentally believe that basic civil rights must be extended to all members of the GLBT community.”

David Degrio, Clark’s GLBT Outreach Director shared, "Doron is a true advocate for all neighbors living in Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis. Stonewall’s endorsement shows that Doron will fight for equality and fairness for all people on the East Side.”

Clark’s campaign manager, Nolan Pitlick added, “Stonewall DFL thoughtfully considers all candidates in a race. Their endorsement shows the depth of knowledge Doron holds on a diverse spectrum of topics.”