First CBID Endorsement Meeting Of 2008 Yields A Surprise

CBID held the first of two endorsement meetings on Thursday, May 22 at the Park Slope United Methodist Church (8th Street and 6th Avenue). The club considered several electoral contests where the candidates are not anticipating opposition in the Democratic Primary election on Tuesday, September 9. Those candidates who are endorsed by CBID will appear on CBID's version of Democratic nominating petitions for the September Primary to be circulated within the next few weeks.

CBID members chose to endorse the campaign of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) for President of the United States. Obama received 89% of the votes cast. Prior to Super Tuesday, CBID had not taken a position the Presidential race due to the fact that many members were leaning towards the candidacy of former Senator John Edwards as well as that of Senator Obama. (Obama's name will not appear on the upcoming CBID petition.)

The biggest story of the night was the fact that Congressmember Yvette Clarke, representing the 11th District, did not receive the endorsement of CBID; she failed to receive more than 50% of the votes cast. Clarke, a superdelegate at the upcoming Democratic National Convention, has remained supportive of U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton's Presidential candidacy even after her Congressional District cast 56% of its votes for Senator Obama in New York State's Super Tuesday Presidential primary (February 5th). Other concerns expressed by CBID members regarding Clarke's first term in office included a lack of follow-through on certain issues, confusion regarding some policy positions and her ongoing support of Ratner's Atlantic Yards project. Members did acknowledge Clarke's acceptable record pertaining to the Iraq War and immigration legislation.

For NYS Assembly, incumbents Jim Brennan and Joan Millman were endorsed as was State Senator Eric Adams.

Democratic State Committeemembers Lori Knipel, Alan Fleishman and Jo Anne Simon (also referred to as District Leaders.)

For Civil Court Judge, Alice Fisher Rubin was endorsed for a countywide seat and Lisa Ottley was endorsed for the 4th Municipal Court District.

The second endorsement meeting will take place on Thursday, May 29 (same location) and will focus on contests with multiple candidates. Whether or not she or he attends one of the meetings, each candidate must submit a standard questionnaire to CBID in order to be considered for endorsement.

Electoral races to be considered include the following:

U.S. House of Representatives:

8th District (Nadler v. Eisenbach), 10th District (Towns v. Powell), 13th District (Harrison v. Recchia v. ?)

State Senate:

18th District (Montgomery v. Herbert), 21st District (Parker v. Stewart), 25th District (Connor v. Squadron)

Democratic State Committee:

57th Assembly District (Male and Female Seats) - Saunders v. Mosley; Alabi v. Colleymore v. ?

Civil Court:

Countywide (Joseph v. ?), 1st District (Cohen v. Adler)

Supreme Court:

Incumbents (Multiple), One Vacancy (Multiple Candidates) *

This particular contest will NOT be decided through Primary election results, but through a Party convention. Voters will elect delegates to this convention. The endorsement is intended to influence delegates.

In other business, CBID passed a resolution calling upon Zimbabwe's current President, Robert Mugabe, to abide by democratic processes and results:

WHERAS, the political leadership of Zimbabwe has genuine roots in the struggle for independence from imperialist powers, but has evolved into a desperate, despotic, and harmful authoritarian regime;

WHERAS, the President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has been the architect of this sad turn of events;

WHERAS, the nation of Zimbabwe has experienced economic and political turmoil and decline for more than 10 years;

WHERAS, the recent national election in Zimbabwe provided concrete proof that the people of Zimbabwe are dissatisfied with their state of affairs and desire significant political and economic changes;

WHERAS, President Mugabe has made a mockery of democratic elections through manipulative and deceptive tactics as well as direct intimidation and harassment of those who disagree with his tenure or his policies, including violent acts against individuals known not to be supportive of President Mugabe; and

WHERAS, like the behavior of all tyrants, President Mugabe's behavior clearly contradicts the vision and mission of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats; therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) call upon President Robert Mugabe to respect the results of democratic elections without preconditions and allow his nation to heal and progress; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all people of good will, particularly those within Brooklyn's communities and these United States, endorse the position of CBID in this matter, and, to facilitate this support, that this resolution be circulated to elected representatives.

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