[statecom-discuss] Re: [candidate-development] Re: [2006team] Voices worth listening to (Globe column today in support of Grace)

[BillCunningham]

Of course! I hope we would never work for fusion. I don't think of fusion as complementary with IRV. 

The question was raised about the WFP's prospects, and prospects of collaboration with them. I was pointing out that, since legally there is little anyone could do for fusion now anyway, the question is whether WFP would be willing to collaborate on IRV. That should be, from their point of view, not as good as fusion but better than nothing. Thus we would have something tactically in common, in the same way that we do with the Libertarians on war and empire. 

Here we are dealing with exactly the same subject as Colby raised regarding tactical alliances within a legislature: how as a relatively small party, we can make principled alliances with larger forces on specific issues. But to carry out this kind of politics successfully, we need to be very clear about who we are, who we are responsible to, and what we want to become. Otherwise we will surely sink into the swamp of opportunism.

-----Original Message-----
>From: John Walsh <john.walsh at umassmed.edu>
>Sent: Nov 10, 2006 9:50 AM
>To: BillCunningham <etwee at earthlink.net>
>Cc: Jamie O'Keefe <jokeefe at jamesokeefe.org>, Discussion List for StateCom members <statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org>
>Subject: Re: [candidate-development] Re: [2006team] Voices worth listening to (Globe column today in support of Grace)
>
>But that is not what was asked.
>It said "IRV or fusion and IRV passed."
>I understand the IRV part but would we not respect the position of  
>the GRP on fusion?
>jw
>
>On Nov 10, 2006, at 8:30 AM, BillCunningham wrote:
>
>> Under Massachusetts election law, a question which has been  
>> presented on the statewide ballot cannot again appear on the  
>> statewide ballot for six years. The Legislature is not intersted in  
>> it, so fusion is off the table.  However, some fusion supporters  
>> told us they would go for IRV, so why not ask if they're still  
>> interested?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: John Walsh <john.walsh at umassmed.edu>
>>> Sent: Nov 10, 2006 6:48 AM
>>> To: Jamie O'Keefe <jokeefe at jamesokeefe.org>
>>> Subject: Re: [candidate-development] Re: [2006team] Voices worth  
>>> listening to (Globe column today in support of Grace)
>>>
>>> Huh?
>>> I cannot do that.  The decision of the GRP is AGAINST fusion.
>>> So why would I ask Rand to work for fusion?
>>> jw
>>>
>>>
>>> On Nov 9, 2006, at 11:03 PM, Jamie O'Keefe wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi John,
>>>>
>>>> Would you talk with Rand over the next week about whether the WFP
>>>> would be interested in joining forces to get either IRV or fusion  
>>>> and
>>>> IRV passed?  I have already asked him and haven't heard back.  He is
>>>> probably too busy to answer, but before I forgot I thought I  
>>>> would ask
>>>> you.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>>>> Jamie
>>>>
>>>> On 11/9/06, John Walsh <john.walsh at umassmed.edu> wrote:
>>>>> I think it is good to talk to them.  I count Rand Wilson as a  
>>>>> friend,
>>>>> and I told him I wish him well personally but disagreed with  
>>>>> WFP.  I
>>>>> do not think Rand will take any comments of mine very personally.
>>>>> In fact like our standard-bearers, Rand is a superb candidate -  
>>>>> very
>>>>> effective as a spokesperson.  He could become a member of GRP  
>>>>> were he
>>>>> not so tightly tied to the unions which I think makes that  
>>>>> impossible
>>>>> for him right now.
>>>>
>>>
>>> John V. Walsh, MD
>>> Professor of Physiology
>>> University of Massachusetts Medical School
>>> 55 Lake Avenue, N.
>>> Worcester, MA, 01655-0127
>>> Phone (work): 508-856-3360
>>> Phone (cell): 508-868-1653
>>> email: john.walsh at umassmed.edu
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> Bill Cunningham
>>
>
>John V. Walsh, MD
>Professor of Physiology
>University of Massachusetts Medical School
>55 Lake Avenue, N.
>Worcester, MA, 01655-0127
>Phone (work): 508-856-3360
>Phone (cell): 508-868-1653
>email: john.walsh at umassmed.edu
>
>


Bill Cunningham