Overheard in Fog City

Luke Thomas, Fog City Journal publisher.
Photo by Adam Aufdencamp

By Luke Thomas

March 16, 2007, 12:09 p.m.

Derse send-off draws progressive phalanx and a surprise encounter

Political campaign strategist Nicole Derse drew a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd at her send-off party held at San Francisco's Space Gallery last evening. Derse, who had been considered by Matt Gonzalez to possibly run his campaign for mayor (should he eventually declare), heads to New Hampshire, March 18, to join the Obama Campaign for President.

The party drew a phalanx of progressive partisans including heavyweights Matt Gonzalez, Ross Mirkarimi, Krissy Keefer, Mark Sanchez and Tim Paulson.

In a discussion between Gonzalez, Mirkarimi and Fog City, the subject of who will run for what came up. Gonzalez maintains he is waiting to see who will jump into the mayor's race while Mirkarimi is waiting to see if Gonzalez will enter the mayor's race.

Mirkarimi told Fog City last Friday, "If Matt Gonzalez runs I would support Matt Gonzalez and I think Matt should seriously consider it. I think it would be a shame to not have this mayor's race challenged.

"I think because of how well Matt did in 2003, he's poised to make a big impact again."

Asked if he, himself, is considering entering the mayor's race, Mirkarimi said: "I am extremely flattered by the encouragement by many people to run. I'll keep an open mind and see what happens."

The million-dollar question remains for one and all: When will anyone declare to allow the chess game to advance?

Even the San Francisco Chronicle editorial bloggers want Newsom challenged. One gets the feeling the Chronicle needs to sell a few newspapers even if it means losing their darling Newsom to a people's candidate.

And all that ballyhoo about Danny Glover for mayor? Fog City has it on good authority you've all been had. Sources said the rumor was hatched to take the heat off Gonzalez.

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