Debi Rose, candidate for the New York City Council, District 49
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you have never seen a real people-powered, grassroots campaign — meet Debi Rose.
If you have an admiration for salt of the earth, working people, fighting the good fight, meet Debi Rose and her supporters: they are NAACP members, UAW members, CSEA, SEIU, Working Families Party, NARAL members, NOW members, Planned Parenthood members, progressive and independent Democrats and — if you live in District 49 — your neighbors. There is something very unique and very special about the campaign office when it is filled with Rose’s volunteers. Something very genuine, very hopeful.
The Rose campaign office the weekend before election day: a busy place
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
If you have ever rooted for the underdog, stood up to the oppressor, held your breath during a Hail Mary, whispered a prayer for a miracle, knocked on wood, gritted your teeth at injustice, refused to vote for the lesser of two evils, despised the Klan, smiled at the chutzpah of Rosa Parks, mourned and admired Karen Silkwood, raised your fist in solidarity with Norma Rae and her real life counterparts in the labor movement — meet Debi Rose.
Debi Rose is an unlikely hero. She is not part of the political machine. She is a progressive with thirty years experience as a community organizer. She is an African-American woman who has the courage and commitment to aspire to be — and is on the brink of becoming — the first person of color ever elected to any public office on Staten Island. She is already the first African-American to ever be nominated for elective office by Staten Island’s Democratic Party.
If you have been pleasantly surprised by Congressman Alan Grayson — and although NLN supported Alan early on we have been pleasantly surprised — meet Debi Rose. She is cut from the same cloth as Grayson. If you value integrity and honesty — we have a hunch you’ll like Debi.
Debi Rose shares a laugh with her hard working volunteers
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
If you respect a Democrat who is both a progressive — committed to change in deed as well as in word — and a team player, if you want a candidate who doesn’t claim to be for women’s rights while voting against women, a candidate endorsed by Planned Parenthood, NARAL and NOW — meet Debi Rose.
If you are dismayed that Ken Mitchell — a Democrat who courted Progressives — is now a Conservative, a Conservative who pledged not to campaign against the Democratic Party nominee, a Conservative who is actively campaigning against the Democratic Party nominee — vote for Debi Rose. If you are not sure whether Mitchell is a Democrat, or a Conservative, or simply part of the problem — help him clarify his position, vote for Debi Rose.
If you believe that the sort of political machinations Ken Mitchell is engaging in are unacceptable to any New Yorker who demands honesty and integrity from their elected officials — vote your conscience. If you are appalled that Mitchell voted against a City Council resolution that sought to protect women visiting health care clinics from harassment — claiming that the resolution was “vague and unenforceable” — send Mitchell a clear, enforceable, message. Vote for Debi Rose.
Grace under pressure: fighting the machine, serving her community — Debi Rose
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
If you recognize last minute frivolous lawsuits for what they are — political smear campaigns — stand up to bullies who use spurious tactics. Stand up to bullies who file suit a week before an election in an obvious attempt to damage a candidate’s reputation. The lawsuit in question, brought by attorney Randy Mastro — formerly Rudolph Guiliani’s Deputy Mayor for Operations — alleges that the Working Families Party, working on behalf of the Rose campaign, underpaid Data and Field Services (DFS) for work it did during the recent Democratic primary. The lawsuit does not affect ballot status and Congressman Mike McMahon, Ken Mitchell’s former boss, called the lawsuit “politically motivated.” McMahon underscored his position when he endorsed Debi Rose.
And McMahon is not alone.
Debi Rose has been endorsed by the UAW, CSEA Local 1000, SEIU1199, DC37, DC 1707, The Central Labor Council, the Motel and Hotel Trades Council, the UFT, the Freelancers Union, PSC/CUNY, the Tenant’s PAC, NARAL, NOW New York, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the League of Humane Voters, Staten Island Democratic Association, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, the Detectives Endowment Association, Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman Mike McMahon, State Senator Diane Savino, and Assembly members Matthew Titone, Mike Cusick and Janele Hyer-Spencer.
Three days after the Advance’s political gossip columnist Tom Wrobleski wrote a piece about the lawsuit, the Staten Island Advance Editorial Board had this to say:
“We gave Mr. Mitchell a slight edge in endorsing him in February because we thought he had in-the-trenches Council experience. His expertise in government is clear. However, it’s not matched by accomplishments. And, after he was defeated in the primary, he seemed to lose enthusiasm, even though he is still the candidate of the Conservative Party. He said just last month that he did not plan to actively campaign for the seat.
Some question his sincerity on this count. In any case, we prize Ms. Rose’s steadfast determination in seeking this seat and we believe that trait will serve her constituents well. North Shore voters will not only be making history but, we think, also making a more hopeful future by electing Ms. Rose.”
At NLN we are proud to stand with Debi Rose in the streets — and in the voting booth.
Join us.
And while you’re voting — cast a vote for term limits, respect for the rule of law and for democracy. Send a clear, enforceable, message to Mike Bloomberg as well as Ken Mitchell.
Reporting from inside the Rose campaign — a campaign filled with hope and heart — this is Tom Good for Next Left Notes.
