There are many who say that the Democrats are too divided for Ferrer to win. And I know that the Vallones fall into line with that division since they endorsed Bloomberg. But I must say that those who have endorsed Freddy Ferrer are telling, in my opinion, because they show a considerable unity, bringing in former rivals, bringing in moderates and progressives, blacks, whites, hispanics, etc. I really think that the Ferrer campaign, win or lose, is a chance for the Dems to get themselves together, and start building back their strength.
Here is a litany of endorsements:
Mark Green: Ferrer's former rival endorsed Ferrer Oct.13th. [1]
Of the 2004 rivals for President, progressive Howard Dean, progressive/moderate John Kerry, and moderate John Edwards [2] have all come out swinging for Ferrer, urging their supporters to donate and, at least in the cases of Dean and Edwards, coming to NYC to stand with Ferrer. I was lucky enough to be there with Ferrer and Howard Dean in Union Square on Monday. Don't know about Leiberman, but wouldn't be surprised if he supports Bloomberg since they both are kind of similar in their conservatism.
"Our Democratic values are what make this country great, and right here in New York City is where we take our stand--Freddy Ferrer is the leader we need to take that first step in returning those values to New York City and beyond." --Democratic Party Chairman, Gov. Howard Dean
"[Ferrer] has been your advocate his entire life, and there's a reason for that," said John Edwards, a North Carolina senator when he ran unsuccessfully for vice president with John Kerry. "He comes from the same place you do. He knows what you're going through...I don't believe the people of New York are going to allow the mayoral office to be bought...It's not about who can buy the most television commercials. It's about where you come from and whether you understand the lives of most people in New York."
Both of our moderate Senators, Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, have endorsed Ferrer.
Progressive organizations New Democratic Majority (about 60% of membership for Ferrer) and Demcracy for NYC (about 80% of membership for Ferrer) have endorsed Ferrer. Working Families Party has also endorsed them. The Brooklyn reform clubs, Independent Neighborhood Democrats and Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats have come out for Ferrer.
Charles Rangel [3] have been shoulder to shoulder with Ferrer. I personally talked to Letitia James as she walked with Ferrer in Brooklyn.
"You can no longer raise money and support those people in Washington and say you're not one of them," [Charles] Rangel said. "It's like being half-pregnant. Either you're in or you're out...Watch Freddy Ferrer and remember this election; it's not only going to be an election for our city, it's going to be a signal for what happens in the Senate, in the House of Represenatives, and it's going to be a signal for change in the county," Rangel said.
I have to be honest. I wasn't sure I was impressed with Freddy Ferrer. But a lot of people I respect, all the way up to Howard "the Man" Dean, have come out and endorsed Freddy Ferrer. And I am not talking about weak endorsements like Dinkins'. I am talking sold, proud endorsements followed up by action--either help fundraising and/or standing side by side with Ferrer out among the voters.
Ferrer has given me hope for the Democrats. I had been despairing of any chance to bring back unity in the party--bringing progressive passion and integrity together with the pragmatism of moderates. This goal had seemed impossible. But Freddy Ferrer has been bringing in the passionate progressives and the moderates and together they have been calling out to NYC Democrats to stand up against Bloomberg and his policies that hurt our city. Bloomberg has proven himself to be beholden to developers and to Bush's national Republican party. Bloomberg may be a whole lot better than Bush himself, but ANYONE who gives $7 million to the Republican party in this day and age is someone who is supporting torture, war and cronyism. Bloomberg has donated $7 million to the RNC. Bloomberg is supporting with his own money people like Bush and DeLay and Joe Barton. He is supporting the War in Iraq, the neglect of New Orleans and the torture of Abu Graib.
I want to stand with Howard Dean, Letitia James and John Kerry, not with Bush and DeLay and Rove. I will stand with Freddy Ferrer, not with Bloomberg, the mayor who stands with George Bush.
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