President Obama endorses David Alvarez for Mayor of San Diego.
“[T]here is no question that David is the right choice to be San Diego’s next mayor…”
By Brent E. Beltrán
In what may turn out to be the closest race in San Diego mayoral history David Alvarez on Saturday got a big bump by receiving the endorsement from none other than the President of the United States himself, Barrack Obama.
In a statement released by the Alvarez campaign President Obama said, “As a native San Diegan, David Alvarez has been a fierce advocate for his city, and on the Council, has led efforts to build a strong middle class, put neighborhoods first and expand opportunities for kids in and out of school. Today, with the city’s economy and neighborhoods poised to make progress there is no question that David is the right choice to be San Diego’s next mayor and I am excited to support him.”
Mr. Alvarez responded by saying, “It is truly an honor to receive President Obama’s endorsement. In my years of public service, I have championed many of the same priorities that the President addressed at the State of the Union. I look forward to working with him to achieve our shared agenda and priorities. Together, we can make San Diego a city that expands opportunity for all.”
The special election for the next San Diego mayor takes place this coming Tuesday. The race is statistically even with San Diego’s working class, progressives and communities of color mostly backing District 8 Councilman David Alvarez over The Lincoln Club and San Diego County Chamber of Commerce backed, big business friendly, District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer.
Brent E. Beltrán
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Wowie Zowie… this is awesome!
This is fantastic! When has the President of the US ever endorsed a candidate for Mayor in San Diego or anywhere else?
Yes. Obama has endorsed in Baltimore & Houston to name two. The good news is that the White House exercises this option for candidates in races that appear to be winners.
Great news and very welcome. Our little town’s age of innocence is over.
Soon our tourist town will be recognized as a major west coast region and hub of the Southern rim. San De Juana is a major region of two sister cities with a common future. Maybe soon we will recognize that future lies with celebrating our bi-national prominence. Big City and Urban politics have fully arrived.
Amen. And adios to the “age of innocence,” which owed a lot to greed and
indifference. Now we can all do the BiNacional Mambo.
An endorsement from Barack “I’m-Gonna-Close-Guantanamo-Right-After-I Get-Done-Droning-a-Couple-More-Wedding-Parties” Obama doesn’t particularly impress me.
Riiiiiiiight……’cause he has the unilateral authority to close Guantanamo any time he wants.
Newsflash: Congress has to approve of the closure of Guantanamo, and that’s not going to happen as long as the Republicans are in control of the House. Then there’s the matter of the brand spanking new prison that was built in Illinois and yet sits empty. It was built, sat empty, and the federal government offered to buy it to house those remaining at Gitmo. House Republicans and Republican state officials in Illinois revolted. The prison is still empty today.
The Republicans DO NOT WANT GITMO CLOSED! Period. It’s that simple.
Partially true, but he shouldn’t have made big promises that he knew he couldn’t keep. I’m not so sure he doesn’t have the power, though, since he IS Commander-in Chief, and GITMO is a military facility. Didn’t he make a statement the other day that he had a “pen” and he was going to use it if the Congress kept getting in his way? (“Executive Orders”)
Your reply shows what I have suspected for a long time: there is no more opposition in this country. Because the Drone-Jockey says he’s a “liberal,” the “left” will support him no matter how many kids he kills with his drones, no matter how long his “death list” of unindicted targets becomes, and no matter what support he gives to terrorist puppets of the U.S. in the Middle East.
Tired-out cliches about Republicans and other bogey men (including Democrats) in a system that has long since been captured by bankers and other behind-the-scenes players is akin to being mesmerized by the moves of a marionette, while forgetting that it’s the puppet master behind the curtain that’s calling the shots.
AWESOME SAUCE!!!! David, so looking forward to a BIG win from your campaign!
Again Congratulations to David and his supportive team
To all the “wows” raining in…do some research.
Do you know that David Alvarez has never met (or spoken to) President Obama.
So how did this happen? Obama, taking a break on Airforce One, is just reading the newspaper realizes that Kevin Faulconer isn’t quite right to lead San Diego? Hmmm…the money supporting Alvarez from outside California, that’s what it buys you.
Alvarez “I am honored that the President….etc.”, (should add) “…even though I have never met him, never spoken to him, and I doubt he could pick me out from a group of strangers.”
Politics is amazing. Alvarez owes someone big time for this, don’t you think? Wonder who he owes…? Take 2 minutes to think about why this happened.
Scott…bitter much? I just have a feeling that possibly if this was an endorsement for YOUR candidate…you wouldn’t be complaining IMHO.
I should have noted that I am a lifelong democrat. But the party has serious issues and a mess left by Filner…many people knew for years and did nothing because of his bullying ways. I’d say David ducked for cover early enough to avoid the smear on his reputation as well.
An informed electorate is my point. Do you really think the White House cares? Really? This is a fill in the blank form letter: “There is no question that (insert name) is the right choice to be (insert city) next (insert office) and I am excited to support him (or her)”
While this is a special election due to Filner’s folly, someone with some time on their hands can just use FOI or other; see how many of these letters of endorsements go out for local candidates. You think David gets on the “A” list?
My concern is that Alvarez is a fine public servant, but he has never run his own business or made a payroll. This is what challenges Obama as well, he has not been there either (never a private job). I fear that David will become what was the last consensus on Obama (polls before and after the State of the Union): 60% of the people like him and say he is a nice man, only 40% believe he can effectively lead.
That is the point. An informed electorate (hopefully you) should understand that the campaigning process and financial support “bought” this Obama endorsement. Kevin Faulconer’s camp would certainly praise this and do some chest thumping, but the issue is “at what cost and how did this happen?”
David Alvarez has not even met Obama, and to be fair, it should be noted that this is a fact. They have never met, so where did this come from?
Why do they have to meet? I didn’t meet Obama either, but I did my research and voted for him. No one’s perfect, certainly not any human, no less any politician! I admit both parties have their major problems.
After doing my research, I found that Faulconer diverts a lot of city money into downtown issues and does NOT give the beach cities their fair share. I feel he is in the back pocket of a lot of developers and has problems with supporting environmental issues.
Do you know how long this town has waited for a new lifeguard tower? We could get rid of that ugly trailer in the pier parking lot if there was a new tower, because the police would be in the new tower too.
Ultimately, how important is a debate over who Obama endorses? The issues that are facing our great city are what is at the crux of it all.
Seems like some folks are sour grapes about having the President of the United States acknowledge one of our own. Maybe the critics would feel more sunshine if their candidate was endorsed by Bush or Nixon. I do know that my Mom, bless her soul, would be very proud regardless of her party. David you made your family proud.
I guess my democratic friends are missing the point as we bask in the praise. How did this happen? You must be a bit surprised, and let’s not be naive. ..this was due to the out of state money. We must realize that David is good, but no “star” in the party. This will be a favor owed, period. To whom?
Not looking good. I hope Obama flys into town soon….
We were kicked good. David was thrown under the bus in this terrible election, the Party never thought he was the most qualifed or experienced; and in the end, he wasn’t. Poorly, poorly run campaign that appeared to be purchased by outsiders, and the list of big Demos to support David:
President
Govenor
Speaker
Interim Mayor
were all standard party line statements. It would have been a good story for south of the 8, but this election was done when the Party selected David. Not yet through one term on the Council. Same with Obama, 141 days as a Senator, and he gets elected. Experience counts. I feel sorry for David.
I hope the Demos throw Busby out the door, she is a total waste of effort as well. We have a long way to go. We got smoked. ‘Nuff said
I’m glad the president chose to inject himself into this local election. It was the kiss of death that only a failure of his caliber could bestow. I wonder if he even checked for the results yet, or if he’s still reminiscing about last night’s dinner.