Election Endorsements 2014

I'm primarily going to endorse in blanket fashion all of the Democrats running for office this year over their Republican opponents - with two exceptions, given that there are two  Democrats in one race and no Democrat in the other (see below) - because the Democrats all stand for progress and justice while the Republicans pretty much stand for corporate and government control over our lives and want to keep us all down.  That means I'm endorsing Martha Coakley for governor of Massachusetts, even though I've met nuns with more warmth and charm than Coakley, and she's such a flawed candidate that she's in a dead heat with Republican opponent Charlie Baker. Given that he could win the election next week despite the fact that Massachusetts is a Democratic state, he's an able Charlie Baker.

My blanket endorsement of Democratic candidates is less a positive reflection on the Democratic Party than it is a negative reflection on a partisan, polarized political system that puts two extremes on either side with little if any room for anyone who agrees with the left on some issues and agrees with the right on others to take part in the political process.  (I've been able to endorse Republicans before, for one reason or another, but not this year.)  And if you are one of those people who agrees with one side half the time and the other side the other half of the time, and so you're not sure of what you are, you're probably a Democrat.

However, I am going to make some specific endorsements for Democrats I have a particular interest in and would really like to see win, plus a write-in endorsement.  So, drum roll, please:

For governor of Wisconsin:  This blog endorses Mary Burke, because as a co-owner of the Trek bicycle company, she's created more jobs than Republican incumbent Scott Walker has.  She's also savvier on transportation issues.  Walker opposed high-speed passenger rail in Wisconsin, he fought local mass transit on the local level, and he gets money from two guys named Chuck and Dave, who oppose alternative transportation because it cuts into the very profitable business of refining gasoline.  Mary Burke, on the other hand, makes bicycles.

For U.S. Senator from Iowa:  This blog endorses Bruce Braley, because he endorses wind energy, while is Republican opponent, Joni Ernst, does not.  However, if Joni Ernst seeks an elective office that involves regulation of pork products, I'll be happy to endorse her, because as a potential U.S. Senator, she's one hell of a pig farmer.  But she doesn't cut it for the job she's trying to get now.  She's not kosher.       

For governor of Connecticut:  This blog endorses Dannel Malloy, the Democratic incumbent who could lose next week.  This is despite the fact that Malloy has had to deal with everything Chris Christie has had to deal with in New Jersey - the October Surprise winter storm of 2011, Sandy, a sluggish economy - and more (Newtown, which led to tougher gun laws in Connecticut), and he's gotten Connecticut's economy doing better than New Jersey's.  Why is he in danger of losing?  You got me!

For U.S. Senator, New Jersey:  This blog endorses Cory Booker.  Mainly because his opponent is Jeff Bell, who last ran in a general election for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey in 1978 and whose body of economic and gender-equality ideas dates back to 1878.  Oh, and Booker's a decent guy, too.

For State Senator, 26th District, California: Thanks to California's weird primary laws, there are actually two Democrats running in the general election, Ben Allen and Sandra Fluke.  This blog endorses Sandra Fluke.  Because nothing would tick off Rush Limbaugh and Patricia Heaton more than to see her win.

For governor of California:  This blog wholeheartedly, unreservedly, and seriously endorses Democratic incumbent Jerry Brown for re-election.  Why?  He's the only governor investing in real high-speed rail, not a puny 110-mph route.  Sorry, Pat Quinn: You only get a blanket endorsement for being on the right team.  

For governor of Florida:  This blog endorses Charlie Crist.  Not because his Republican opponent, incumbent Rick Scott, canceled a high-speed rail route between Tampa and Orlando, which was a ridiculous idea, anyway.  It's because of everything else he's ever done. 

For U.S. House of Representatives, Florida's Thirteenth District:  Out of a field of three candidates, this blog endorses write-in candidate Michael Levinson.  Why?  Because he's the only progressive in that district who even bothered to run in the general election!

So that's it.  If there is no Democratic opposition on the ballot in an election where you live- like the township council elections in my hometown - write someone in.  Otherwise, vote for the Democrats.  Maybe some of them will actually win.