Submitted by Mike Tipping on October 1, 2008 - 4:38pm
Portland City Council candidate Tina Smith responds by email about the League of Young Voters endorsement:
I am very disappointed with The League's endorsements but I am honestly not surprised. They have been making a trend out of getting away from their original "non-partisan" and "making young people players in the political process" mission for quite some time now. This had a great deal to do with why I'm no longer working there.
Sounds like there's some history there.
Funny...
The city council is supposed to be non-partisan, so what is Smith's point?
Why not ask the League?
As far as I can tell, there have been no media coverage outright asking the League about their decision. Why aren't newspapers and television outlets asking these questions?
it's not big news
Probably because it's just one of many interest groups that list endorsements at this time of year, and they do a pretty good job of explaining their decision-making process.
Sour grapes?
From what I've read, the League's process for endorsement involves an extensive process that culminates with the vote of an endorsement committee that is made up of members who have volunteered for a certain number of hours. It sounds very above board and not and maybe Tina Smith is just bitter that she didn't get the endorsement.
Michael Hiltz for State Rep.
Michael Hiltz is endorsed by:
Maine Education Association
The League of Young Voters
Maine People's Alliance Campaign Vote!
Maine State Nurses Association
Maine AFL-CIO
Maine State Employees Union
and
Service Employees International Union
Send a progressive to Augusta with Portland's Legislative Delegation
Vote Michael Hiltz!
http://www.hiltz2008.org
Or not sour grapes...
I think it's unfair for you to even question Tina's integrity by tossing in the comment about "Sour Grapes." As I understand it, there are some serious problems with the League, some of which she identifies above.
And there's more.
It's not sour grapes to name reality.