Sunday, March 23, 2008 | I have a gained a lot of respect for Scott Lewis‘ ability to shake things up in the world of San Diego politics. But I worry that he is missing out on a lot when he focuses on only three candidates in the third council district (Gloria; Whitburn; and Hartley). In several articles, he omits the name of Paul Broadway.
Like all the others, Paul Broadway obtained the number of signatures of registered voters required to get his name on the ballot, and paid his filing fee. When he is able to schedule around his obligations to his current employer, he attends meetings and forums taking place in the district, just as the other candidates do. When he isn’t attending to duties on various neighborhood boards he serves on or meetings he attends, he is also walking door-to-door meeting voters (not as much as John Hartley because nobody walks like Hartley). But Paul Broadway is doing everything a candidate for elective office does to get his name out, except accept any contributions from anybody!
Now, Scott and I might agree that you’ve got to raise money, because you’ve got to spend money, to get your message out. But Paul wants to avoid any appearance that he is not serious about contributions. Paul is striking a nerve in the community with when he speaks to the problems created by the long-established cozy relationship between special interests and elected officials. But, unlike any other serious candidate that I am aware of, he actually refuses to accept any contributions, whatsoever!
His friendly manner and attention to neighborhood concerns, reminds me of the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington character played by Jimmy Stewart. He still believes that just by being good, and doing good work, good things will come of that. My political experience tells me that, without a well funded campaign, he is destined for certain failure. But after knowing him for two decades, and talking to his supporters, Broadway has a shot in this race.
In any event, I’d suggest to Lewis, and the other candidates in the race: (to quote another candidate years ago “Warning: the object in your rearview mirror might be nearer than you think”.
Any of these candidates, each very qualified, can end up in the top four (vote getters). I suggest that Paul might be one of the top two, and Mr. Lewis, and everyone else would serve us well to consider that possibility.