SF Giants World Series Victory Parade

Lt. Governor-elect Mayor Gavin Newsom and Brian "The Beard" Wilson go by right at the beginning of this clip.

On San Francisco's Proposition L

Anybody who has visited or lived in San Francisco over the last decade might agree that after the city's physical beauty, the single-most memorable feature of the town is its staggering, almost Third Worldly volume of homelessness. Many politicians have tried and failed to legislate the homeless out of town, but San Francisco has a deserved reputation as a haven for those down on their luck and has a support system of food banks and advocacy groups that some accuse of actually exacerbating the problem by drawing even more homeless to San Francisco from other areas.

And so, for the umpteenth time, comes along this year's attempt to deal with the problem, Proposition L, which is meant to give the city's business owners (and homeowners) some daytime respite from the homeless who often camp in front of their doors for weeks at a time. (I've seen the same five young men camping in front of a Castro Street retailer for the last five days. Other encampments exist all over the Castro.)

Proposition L would make it illegal to sit or lie on sidewalks citywide from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Police officers must give a warning before they can give a citation, but for someone who does not comply, police could use jail time as a threat. Many understandable exceptions are built into the law — babies in strollers, people in wheelchairs, parades, waiting in line, food carts.

Proponents claim that similar laws have been effective in places like Seattle and Berkeley, but others say that the city already has numerous (largely unenforced) laws that address the same issue. When Mayor Gavin Newsom first put Proposition L before the city's supervisors, they rejected it with a veto-proof majority. Newsom then worked to put it before San Francisco's voters. This week the city's gay paper, the Bay Area Reporter, endorsed Proposition L.

Prop L: Sitting or Lying on Sidewalks. YES.

Known as the Sit/Lie measure, this proposition came out of the neighborhoods, particularly the Haight. Residents and businesses alike complained that aggressive and disruptive behavior was harming businesses and the quality of life for residents and visitors. This proposition gives the police an additional tool that they feel they need in order to keep the neighborhoods safe and pleasant. We would be reluctant to support such a measure if it were in another community than San Francisco. However, we have confidence in Police Chief George Gascon, who strongly supports this measure, as well as the officers on the street who have undergone intensive sensitivity training to respect the diversity of cultures and lifestyles that thrive in San Francisco.

Confusing the issue for voters is Proposition M, which would prevent Prop L from going into effect, but only if both measures are approved AND Prop M gets more votes.

I really don't know what to think about Prop L, maybe because I don't live here anymore and can't get as angry as the locals obviously are. Especially in the Castro, the homeless appear to be young male drifters without any obvious mental or physical handicaps other than (probably) drug addiction. (A couple of them I recognize from when I first moved here fifteen years ago.) But I don't know if that should even matter. And I'm not sure where the proponents of Prop L actually expect these people to go.

CALIFORNIA: Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado Attacks SF Mayor Gavin Newsom

In one of the longest and strangest attack ads we've seen yet, California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado goes after his 2010 opponent, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

SF LGBT Center Denies $1M Bailout Request From The City

The San Francisco LGBT Center has issued a statement denying yesterday's SF Chronicle story claiming that they'd requested a $1M mortgage bailout from the city. Via their PDF:

We do have $3.2 million in outstanding debt related to the construction of the building, which has been carried in a loan with First Republic Bank. After almost a year of very difficult bargaining, we have achieved a loan modification that financially benefits the Center. This includes a reduction our interest rate, which will save $200,000 over the next five years, and a modification of principle payments to help cash flow. The bank is requiring that we create a reserve account, with a balance of $157,500 – reserves which we do not have. The City have been involved in the discussions from the beginning and Supervisors Bevan Dufty and David Campos are sponsoring legislation to provide a loan from the City to the Center. This is a loan and not a grant. It is also $157,500 – not over $1 million as is reported in some sources.

Responding to the initial report, today SF Mayor Gavin Newsom said that numerous non-profits are in the same situation as the LGBT Center and a $1M bailout is out of the question with the city facing its own $522M budget shortfall.

Gavin Newsom On Obama & Marriage

Today SF Mayor Gavin Newsom talks to Maureen O'Dowd about leaving politics and his disappointment with President Obama on gay marriage.

“Oh, I can’t get in trouble here,” Newsom said with a playful wince. “I want him to succeed. But I am very upset by what he’s not done in terms of rights of gays and lesbians. I understand it tactically in a campaign, but at this point I don’t know. There is some belief that he actually doesn’t believe in same-sex marriage. But it’s fundamentally inexcusable for a member of the Democratic Party to stand on the principle that separate is now equal, but only on the basis of sexual orientation. We’ve always fought for the rights of minorities and against the whims of majorities.” He said the promise of Obama sparking an “organic movement” has faded and “there’s a growing discontent and lack of enthusiasm that I worry about. He should just stand on principle, put this behind him and move on.”

Newsom abruptly gave up his bid for California governor last fall.

Gavin Newsom Quits CA Governor Race

Citing brutal political fallout for his Joe Jervis Day proclamation earlier this month, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has dropped out of the race for California governor. I kid, I kid, nobody wants him.

Newsom is withdrawing from the Democratic primary amid lackluster poll numbers and meager fund-raising receipts. His withdrawal leaves state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, who is expected to run even though he has not officially entered the race, with little opposition in the Democratic primary. “It is with great regret I announce today that I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California,” Newsom said in a statement. “With a young family and responsibilities at City Hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be — done. This is not an easy decision. But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats.” Although Newsom had been effectively running for more than a year, his campaign never gained much traction. Even in his hometown, which Newsom touted as a model of cutting-edge policies, his candidacy was widely derided among civic insiders.

I guess that endorsement from Bill Clinton didn't help much.

Proclamation

At my birthday dinner in the Castro last night, in the presence of about 25 dear friends from around the country, my loyal companion Aaron stood and delivered a lovely speech, after which San Franciscan Leif Wauters unveiled a plaque from Mayor Gavin Newsom declaring October 10th as "Joe Jervis Day in San Francisco."

::thud::

As those who know me would expect, I was a teary mess by the end of it, but I told the crowd, "I'm not ashamed to cry in front of you, you've all seen me cry over the years." It was an impossibly perfect evening. Lots of (probably embarrassing) video and photos were taken - I'll get some of that up here when I get it from the guys.

UPDATE: Here's a shot by Father Tony.

Bill Clinton Endorses SF Mayor Gavin Newsom For California Governor

Bill Clinton has issued an early endorsement of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's bid in the 2010 California gubernatorial race. But does Clinton really like Newsom or is this payback for Jerry Brown?

Seventeen years after Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown clashed in the 1992 race for the White House, the former president made clear today that bygones will not be bygones in the 2010 campaign for California governor: Clinton signed on to support Brown rival Gavin Newsom in the Democratic primary. It is highly unusual – perhaps unprecedented, according to the San Francisco mayor’s campaign – for a former president to take sides in a California gubernatorial primary. But the bad blood between Clinton and Brown, now state attorney general, runs deep, much as Newsom would like Californians to believe that Clinton’s choice is based on merit alone. “This is not some kind of payback on Bill Clinton’s part,” Newsom strategist Garry South said. “He doesn’t think that way.” Tensions in the 1992 race for the Democratic presidential nomination peaked at a debate in Chicago, where Brown accused Clinton of “funneling money to his wife’s law firm for state business.” “I don’t care what you say about me, but you ought to be ashamed of yourself for jumping on my wife,” Clinton snapped, shaking his finger at Brown. “You’re not worth being on the same platform as my wife.”

Brown already served two terms as California governor from 1975-1983, but since term limits were not then in place, he is free to run again. He has not yet formally announced his candidacy.

Newsom Makes It Official

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has officially declared his candidacy for governor of California.

Like It Or Not, Yes On 8 Ad Featuring Gavin Newsom Wins Top Industry Prize

The Yes On 8 ad men who created the infamous "Like It Or Not" clip featuring SF Mayor Gavin Newsom have won the top prize at an industry convention.

Frank Schubert walked off a big winner at the just-concluded 2009 Pollie Awards for his come-from-behind knockout punch to same-sex marriage, and he had a special guy to thank: Mayor Gavin Newsom. Schubert and his crew were honored at the American Association of Political Consultants' annual meeting in Washington, D.C., for their successful fight to pass Proposition 8 in November, which banned same-sex marriage in California. Schubert acknowledged that half the crowd at the Gaylord hotel ballroom didn't agree with his stance. Still, he was happy to give the political pros from across the country a 45-minute seminar on his victorious campaign, where he was asked: "How did you come from 14 points behind in the polls and win?" Well, Schubert explained, they were very disciplined, they had tremendous support from the faith community and they had "a gift from God: Gavin Newsom."

Here's the ad again.

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's 2009 New York Leadership Awards

Last night my loyal companion Aaron and I attended the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's annual New York Leadership Awards, where San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and designer John Bartlett were recognized for their contributions to the LGBT movement. Here's a quick slideshow of the event; I'll add more thoughts on the evening later today. Full screen versions of the below photos are here.

Monday: New York Leadership Awards

On Monday the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force hosts its annual New York Leadership Awards. This year's honorees include designer John Bartlett and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Tickets available here. My coverage of the 2008 awards is here.

Gavin Newsom Goes For It

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has laid low in the marriage equality fight ever since the Yes On 8 side scored big with their "Like It Or Not" ad. But yesterday he launched a new round of fundraisers and media appearances in a last minute bid to turn the polling around.

In the last week of what could be one of the most important political fights of his career, Mayor Gavin Newsom is campaigning heavily against Proposition 8, turning to his supporters with pleas to vote and convince their friends and relatives to oppose the same-sex marriage ban.

The mayor is hosting a private fundraiser at his Russian Hill home tonight and has already picked up $125,000 in contributions from those attending the event. This afternoon, he's holding a forum with employees at Google, and over the next several days he'll be hitting nearly every major Bay Area radio station and staging rallies around the city.

Newsom says he owes it to his constituents in San Francisco to do everything in his power to fight the initiative. But political analysts note that the outcome of Tuesday's election could weigh heavily on Newsom's future in politics, and specifically his potential bid for governor.

At a No on 8 rally at UC Santa Cruz on Tuesday, Newsom told students that he recognized that the outcome of the election could hurt his career - but he wasn't losing sleep over it. "The biggest problem in politics today is that we're risk-adverse. We're afraid of tomorrow's headlines," Newsom said. "I couldn't care less if the rest of my life I'm only known as the ex-mayor of San Francisco. I will regret nothing about standing up on this issue. I get to go to sleep at night having done the right thing."

Newsom released this clip on Friday.

Money Pouring In For No On 8

Last week's startling news that Proposition 8 appears poised for approval in California has brought an avalanche of donations to No On 8.

After sounding the alarm last week about its $10 million fundraising deficit, Equality California, the lead organization for the No on 8 campaign, has raised more than $3 million within California since Oct. 6, including a $1 million contribution Tuesday from the California Teachers Association, a Mercury News review of Secretary of State's Office campaign records shows. Meanwhile, out-of-state contributors, including actor T.R. Knight of "Grey's Anatomy" and financial guru Suze Orman, have made six- and five-figure contributions to Equality California, the umbrella group opposing Proposition 8.

Since Oct. 6, large contributions to ProtectMarriage.com, the lead group supporting Proposition 8, have totaled just $405,969. The No on 8 campaign has also received commitments for an additional $4 million in donations that have not been received, said Kate Kendell, a member of the campaign's executive committee. "That has been extraordinary, and has certainly we think helped us close the gap on the $10 million they had out-raised us, but we are not the least bit sanguine about this."

But the "Gavin Newsom officiates at gay wedding attended by first graders" story continues to provide free publicity for the Yes On 8 side.

Newsom was in the headlines again over the weekend, as conservative groups pointed out that a San Francisco first-grade class went on a field trip from school because their teacher was marrying another woman at City Hall — a ceremony officiated by the mayor. The class didn't attend the actual ceremony, but waited outside on the steps of City Hall to congratulate their teacher.

Newsom "bought them more free media than the yes side would ever have the money to purchase," McCuan said. "And conversely, he's raised the dollars, the cost, for his supporters. He just raised the bar for the amount of money they would have to bring in, and I would argue he's changed the game."

The story about a grade-school class being excused from class for a same-sex wedding "proves we're not lying" in saying that elementary school students will be taught about same-sex marriage in the public schools if voters reject Proposition 8, said Chip White, a spokesman for the Yes on 8 campaign. "This is real; this is happening." State school officials say those charges are misleading because local authorities have full control over what is taught about marriage.

Donate to No On 8 here.

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom: No On 8's Worst Nightmare

According to the SF Chronicle, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has become the greatest liability for the No On 8 campaign.

Gavin Newsom has always played a starring role in the same-sex marriage debate, but in recent weeks that role has turned decidedly unheroic. The mayor has become the reluctant face of the campaign opposing same-sex unions with the help of a prominent Yes-on-Proposition-8 television ad. Conservative blogs have been atwitter about Newsom last week officiating at the wedding of a lesbian teacher whose class of first-graders took a field trip to celebrate with her.

In many ways, Newsom has become the single best campaign tool for proponents of Prop. 8 - and that might have been inevitable, political experts said.

"His pictures have become the rallying cry for Prop. 8. It's unfortunate for him, and it's unfortunate for the anti-Prop. 8 campaign," said Barbara O'Connor, a professor of political communications at California State University Sacramento. "I don't know that I would change his behavior, because he's representing his constituency, and he's been totally consistent in his position. But he's become everyone's worst nightmare."

There's no indication that Newsom was aware that a class of first graders would appear at the gay wedding he officiated last week, but Yes On 8 is reportedly readying a television ad featuring images of the children and Newsom. Political analysts say he should stay far away from any marriage equality messaging, for the good of the campaign.

This commenter on the above-linked story pretty much says it all:

Newsom always makes himself the focus, and his cocky hubris and lack of humility are simply what they are. Unfortunately for same sex marriage supporters, they rode his coattails on this one , and their lives and rights may suffer in his unseemly shadow. It's amazing to me that he has somehow made himself the point man on this issue, and the issue has gotten lost. Newsom's inappropriate demeanor, ineffective leadership, and lapses in judgment and character are becoming legendary, and I would not want to tie my hopes and dreams to his playground bully PR pulpit scene.