By MY WRITE BY BILL BAUER
W ith elections five months away, my sources on both sides of the political spectrum have told me repeatedly that the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the business community is seriously considering backing a man who ran for City Council in 2002 (and lost) as the person they want to build their slate around in the 2004 municipal elections. Could this be the same candidate who pursued a Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights endorsement in 2002 and was turned down? And who, a source tells me, has hinted he’d “bridge the gap” if endorsed by SMRR this time around?
Is this the same man who supported the living wage in 2002? The same man who campaigned then for more services to the homeless including showers and rest-rooms on or near the Third Street Promenade? Is this the same man who was, at best, ambivalent about a homeowner historical preservation initiative — something the chamber’s current Political Action Committee chair fought long and hard for last year?
In light of shrinking revenues facing City Hall two years ago, could this be the same person who asked for city funding of early childhood development, more programs for seniors and more affordable housing, according to his campaign literature? While he boasts that he’s an “independent voice” and has “vision,” I still wouldn’t think the business community would buy it for a second. The business community backing a SMRR-clone in sheep’s clothing? Tell me it isn’t so.
Running successfully for City Council takes major backing and lots of money — about $150,000 or more. There are two players in town with that kind of cash and organization: SMRR with their labor allies, and the Chamber of Commerce and related business interests, including the deep-pocketed tourism industry.
There’s a solid roster of SMRRs ranging from seated city council members, school board members, Santa Monica College Trustees and Rent Control Board members to run for office. SMRR is like a baseball club, only they have plenty of political appointees on city boards and commissions warming up in the bull pen instead of pitchers.
It’s like bringing in a kid from the farm club to play in the major league when they support a school board member or college trustee’s run for City Council. Or, a hand-picked planning commissioner or Bayside District Corporation director’s run for elected office. Many SMRR faithfuls earn name recognition sitting on advisory boards, commissions and task forces while waiting for the “nod” from party leaders.
The opposition is the business community who seems to go out of its way to exclude neighborhood groups, independents, moderates such as myself and unaffiliated community activists. Business leaders need to realize that non-SMRR residents out number businessmen voting locally by at least 10 to 1. But instead of being inclusive and open, they operate in secret and alienate people. It’s why many residents view the chamber as just another special interest clique.
The failure of the business community to unite various non-SMRR factions is a big factor in its inability to win elections. Being unable to identify and capitalize on issues of concern and interest to voting residents is also a big nail in their coffin. Their failure to find and back strong, independent candidates with a history of local political involvement in something else besides school tax increases and fundraising is another strategic error.
An “independent” candidate is not electable without support from SMRR or the business community. Without the ability to mail flyers citywide, operate phone banks and walk precincts, acquire key endorsements or advertise, you’re dead in the water. Key endorsements, such as the Peace Officers Association and Firefighters union, are decided in part on whether a candidate can win.
Free candidate profiles in this newspaper and other news media, public political meetings and debates televised on Adelphia Cable reach relatively few voters. Political success in Santa Monica is dependent on blitzing 55,000 politically naive voters over and over again with a message and that takes mucho dinero.
Let’s hope the business community wakes up and smells the coffee. Until they learn how to build bridges, they will surely lose, and lose again. In the end, all we’ll get is more lousy government unresponsive to resident’s needs. (Bill Bauer is a longtime Santa Monica resident and a freelance writer).
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 4, 2004. Read the original PDF.