Stateside With Rosalea: San Francisco Politics

The phrase "San Francisco politics" is being used as a bogey-man these mid-term elections as a way of scaring voters away from electing a Democratic majority in the House. Should the Democrats prevail, the new House Leader would be Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco.

As a bit of light relief from the reading of sheep entrails, and with total apologies to the St Francis Yacht Club and all involved with Allianz Cup match-racing, allow me to show you that San Francisco politics are the same as politics elsewhere in the nation.

First up, as with match-racing, in politics a lot of money is involved and most of that comes from campaign contributors/donors.

Even though it's the candidate who's in the public eye looking like they're in control, there's a whole team of people hidden away trying to smooth the course the candidate is steering.

Sometimes, as in the Foley page scandal, it's the Republicans who get their gennaker in a tangle...

... and other times, as with Kerry's botched joke, it's the Democrats.

In some races, it's the Dems in the lead...

... and in others, it's the Republicans.

Occasionally, an Independent candidate strays onto what is essentially a course designated for two competitors only.

If the use of sailing analogies seems a little facetious, don't forget that President Kennedy used to doodle pictures of his yacht during Cabinet meetings, and that--despite the cowboy public image--the Bush family getaway is at Walker's Point, Kennebunkport, Maine.

May the best wind-shift win!

rosalea.barker@gmail.com

--PEACE--

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