The correct spelling of Niki Tsongas was contributed to this post by the Mighty Red Pen. Ranting appreciates the correction.
The other night I attended the meeting of the Bay State chapter of the Stonewall (read: GBLT) Democrats. It was held in a “social club” (not gay) in an industrial park somewhere near the Massachusetts headquarters of the Democratic party. When I arrived, Mr. Adistius and I found the front door of the club locked. Another man was obviously looking for the same meeting and rang the bell (which we had overlooked). We waited.
The door remained locked. Politics, I was to learn, requires persistence.
The more adventurous gentleman found a sliding door and opened it only to discover another locked door. That, Mr. Adistius and I comforted ourselves, is what you get for trying to be clever. Just when we had decided that the Stonewall in Stonewall Democrats referred to stonewalling, some nice woman yelled at us from a side entrance and lead us through the back of the club into a small bar where the meeting was taking place.
I hasten to add that the only beverage on offer was water. This was a endorsement meeting and entirely, depressingly sober. And, I must say, for a meeting of the GBLT community very understated in the snack offerings. No one, as far as I could tell, touched the three or four bowls of cookies and pretzels that sat next to the lone pitcher of water. Politics, in addition to being hard work, is oddly unrewarding.
The room was underground and there was no apparent ventilation. I mention this because the room smelled strongly of cigarette smoke. Slowly, as the meeting wore on, my eyes began to turn red and sting. Mr. Adistius, who only kicked the habit 6 months ago, probably felt like he had started smoking again.
We were meeting to hear from candidates running to replace the excellent Rep. Meehan, who is becoming a UMASS Chancellor (and good luck to him). Two candidates (Barry Finegold and Jamie Eldridge) joined us and a third (Niki Tsongas) sent a representative to speak for her. Everyone assured us that they supported GBLT rights, including equal marriage. Everyone tried to establish their record as a friend of the gay community. Everyone claimed the progressive label. Progressive must be fashionable again.
What impressed me, however, was that Jamie Eldridge said he supports conducting impeachment hearings into the misconduct of the President and Vice-President as it relates to the wiretapping scandal and the misinformation campaign leading up to the Iraq war. He emphasized the seriousness of impeachment, but said that he thought enough evidence had been uncovered to hold hearings. Now, that’s what I wanted to hear.
Sure, I support GBLT rights. I like that Mr. Adistius and I are legally and lawfully wed. I like living in a state that recognizes our relationship. But, more than that, I am a fan of the Constitution. And I really do believe that this President and his administration represent a serious threat to our form of democracy.
So, after much voting, the Stonewall Democrats made their endorsements. (I had to raise my hand at least seven times. I’m telling you: politics is hard work). But more importantly, I made mine.
Yes, I know Nikki is in the lead in the “we know her and we loved Paul” race. But I’ve always believed that electing the widow of popular pol because of her association with him was a dicey game. And besides, Niki wasn’t there to tell me she would hold impeachment hearings, too. And I believe in voting for the candidate who matches your values and beliefs. You’ll not find me talking (too much) about “electability.” That’s how we get into these horrible Tweedledee versus Tweedlenutjob elections. I want a candidate that is proudly pro-labor. I want someone who is loudly in favor of health care reform. I want someone who will actually work to advance the values of the Democratic party. I want someone who won’t say that impeachment is off the table.
And so, in the Democratic Primary for the Fifth Massachusetts Congressional District, I endorse Jamie Eldridge.
It’s my first endorsement for the blog. In my first post. Damn. That felt good.
As soon as my lungs recover from the atmosphere, I’ll return to the Stonewall Democrats as they consider endorsements for the special election to replace the (irreplaceable and handsome) Jarret Barrios, who is retiring to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield. (Really, Jarret, come back to public service. You made politics more fun to watch. And your battle against the fluffanutter was Presidential material. Did I mention that you are handsome? Smart, too.)
Posted by adistius 