Aimee, according to this Tribune article below, your not talking to the press in the wake of your District Two loss. This is a big mistake.
Aimee, I know you're upset, but the future of your political life in Oakland started the very second you knew you were going to lose to Councilmember Kernighan.
In order to set a path for your proper growth in Oakland politics, talk to the press, don't blame people for the loss, call Pat and congratulate her, and pledge to help her.
In short, don't hold a grudge. Move on. What political capital you've generated will vanish if you come off like a sore loser.
Let's see a more upbeat article about you than what appears here...
Kernighan hangs on to her seat with runoff
By Heather MacDonald, STAFF WRITER - OAKLAND TRIBUNE
Article Last Updated:11/09/2006 02:59:04 AM PST
OAKLAND — After two elections, an avalanche of campaign mail and bruising personal attacks, Patricia Kernighan won the Grand Lake-Chinatown seat on the Oakland City Council, defeating Aimee Allison in a runoff, according to final unofficial results.
Kernighan won 54.5 percent of the vote Tuesday, with just 825 votes separating her from Allison, according to Alameda County election officials. It will be Kernighan's first full term on the council.
"I'm hoping to tap into the civic energy created by both campaigns to work on changing Oakland for the better," Kernighan said Wednesday, acknowledging that hard feelings on both sides will take at least a few weeks to fade.
Declining to speak to reporters, Allison instead conceded the race in a message on her campaign Web site, thanking her volunteers and praising them for helping to launch a progressive movement in Oakland.
"We have won a victory for diversity, for hope and for change," Allison said.
Allison and Kernighan first faced each other in May 2005, with Kernighan emerging victorious, and again last June in the primary election.
Although there are thousands of absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted by election officials, Allison supporters acknowledged it would take a "miracle" for the results to change, but emphasized every vote should be counted.
Kernighan said she came out on top because her hard work on behalf of the sprawling district, which stretches from the
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Piedmont border to the shores of Lake Merritt and also includes Chinatown and the San Antonio district, had been recognized by its residents.
But Kernighan also acknowledged the late October announcement that a Trader Joe's is planning to open its doors on Lakeshore Avenue probably was worth "a couple of points.
"A lot of little pieces added up at the end," Kernighan said, noting she thought Allison's negative campaigning backfired.
One of the first to call Kernighan with congratulations was Oakland Mayor-elect Ron Dellums, who said he is looking forward to working with her, she said.
Although Allison, a Green Party member, was part of a group that urged Dellums to run for mayor a year ago and shares many of his ideals, Dellums did not endorse either candidate.
Ben Wyskida, a spokesman for Allison, said low voter-turnout in the San Antonio and East Lake neighborhoods made it impossible for the campaign to win, and blamed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Angelides' lackluster campaign for reducing voter interest.
Kernighan said she is looking forward to taking a few days off and enjoying the late fall sunshine. Meanwhile, several crucial issues loom on the horizon, including a proposal to relax rules surrounding the conversion of rental apartments to condominiums.
Kernighan, who said she hasn't had time to study the contentious issue in depth, could prove to be the swing vote.
In addition, Kernighan said she has not decided whether to support Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente (Glenview-Fruitvale), a close ally, for another term as council president.
Kernighan said she would remain focused on working to reduce violent crime, which has significantly increased this year, especially armed street robberies committed by teenagers and young adults. Other priorities include bringing more shops and stores to downtown and the district's commercial areas, and overseeing plans to revitalize Lake Merritt.
Aimee, I know you're upset, but the future of your political life in Oakland started the very second you knew you were going to lose to Councilmember Kernighan.
In order to set a path for your proper growth in Oakland politics, talk to the press, don't blame people for the loss, call Pat and congratulate her, and pledge to help her.
In short, don't hold a grudge. Move on. What political capital you've generated will vanish if you come off like a sore loser.
Let's see a more upbeat article about you than what appears here...
Kernighan hangs on to her seat with runoff
By Heather MacDonald, STAFF WRITER - OAKLAND TRIBUNE
Article Last Updated:11/09/2006 02:59:04 AM PST
OAKLAND — After two elections, an avalanche of campaign mail and bruising personal attacks, Patricia Kernighan won the Grand Lake-Chinatown seat on the Oakland City Council, defeating Aimee Allison in a runoff, according to final unofficial results.
Kernighan won 54.5 percent of the vote Tuesday, with just 825 votes separating her from Allison, according to Alameda County election officials. It will be Kernighan's first full term on the council.
"I'm hoping to tap into the civic energy created by both campaigns to work on changing Oakland for the better," Kernighan said Wednesday, acknowledging that hard feelings on both sides will take at least a few weeks to fade.
Declining to speak to reporters, Allison instead conceded the race in a message on her campaign Web site, thanking her volunteers and praising them for helping to launch a progressive movement in Oakland.
"We have won a victory for diversity, for hope and for change," Allison said.
Allison and Kernighan first faced each other in May 2005, with Kernighan emerging victorious, and again last June in the primary election.
Although there are thousands of absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted by election officials, Allison supporters acknowledged it would take a "miracle" for the results to change, but emphasized every vote should be counted.
Kernighan said she came out on top because her hard work on behalf of the sprawling district, which stretches from the
Advertisement
Piedmont border to the shores of Lake Merritt and also includes Chinatown and the San Antonio district, had been recognized by its residents.
But Kernighan also acknowledged the late October announcement that a Trader Joe's is planning to open its doors on Lakeshore Avenue probably was worth "a couple of points.
"A lot of little pieces added up at the end," Kernighan said, noting she thought Allison's negative campaigning backfired.
One of the first to call Kernighan with congratulations was Oakland Mayor-elect Ron Dellums, who said he is looking forward to working with her, she said.
Although Allison, a Green Party member, was part of a group that urged Dellums to run for mayor a year ago and shares many of his ideals, Dellums did not endorse either candidate.
Ben Wyskida, a spokesman for Allison, said low voter-turnout in the San Antonio and East Lake neighborhoods made it impossible for the campaign to win, and blamed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Angelides' lackluster campaign for reducing voter interest.
Kernighan said she is looking forward to taking a few days off and enjoying the late fall sunshine. Meanwhile, several crucial issues loom on the horizon, including a proposal to relax rules surrounding the conversion of rental apartments to condominiums.
Kernighan, who said she hasn't had time to study the contentious issue in depth, could prove to be the swing vote.
In addition, Kernighan said she has not decided whether to support Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente (Glenview-Fruitvale), a close ally, for another term as council president.
Kernighan said she would remain focused on working to reduce violent crime, which has significantly increased this year, especially armed street robberies committed by teenagers and young adults. Other priorities include bringing more shops and stores to downtown and the district's commercial areas, and overseeing plans to revitalize Lake Merritt.
Comments
Zennie, I'm enjoying your blog! Keep up the great work.