How San Francisco Wields Significant Influence on National Politics: NPR

Date:

San Francisco, with a population of under a million, has been a starting point for several national political careers, including that of Kamala Harris. Despite not being one of the ten most populous cities in the United States, it has been influential in the political sphere, as detailed in a report by Scott Shafer from KQED.

In 1987, Nancy Pelosi ran for an open House seat in San Francisco against numerous competitors. Critics portrayed her as an outsider unfamiliar with local issues, and one of her opponents, Democratic Supervisor Carol Ruth Silver, claimed Pelosi was disconnected from the average San Franciscan due to her affluent background. Pelosi, who came from a political family in Baltimore where her father served as both mayor and congressman, eventually won her first House race. This victory helped her develop a resilience that would later aid her ascent to become the first female Speaker of the House. Reflecting on that time, Pelosi noted her surprise at the intense opposition she faced when she emerged as the front-runner in the polls.

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu describes the political climate in the city as fiercely competitive, a place where campaigns are often aggressive and personal. He previously encouraged Kamala Harris to pursue the position of district attorney, stating that the city’s relatively small size and predominantly liberal political environment can lead to intense rivalries.

Political communication expert Dan Schnur, from UC Berkeley, describes San Francisco’s political atmosphere as comparable to the intense environments of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Despite not having figures like Tammany Hall or Mayor Daley, San Francisco has developed a similar local-politics-driven culture. The city has also faced its share of political corruption, with two former city department heads recently being imprisoned for accepting bribes or gifts improperly.

Political consultant Ace Smith, who has managed campaigns for Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom, likens San Francisco’s political training grounds to the Dominican Republic and its baseball players, highlighting how many local politicians advance to influential national roles. Rebecca Prozan, who worked with Harris during her early campaigns, compares San Francisco politics to the competitive reality series “Survivor,” describing it as preparation for higher political aspirations.

As Kamala Harris sets her sights on higher office, she seemingly downplays her San Francisco roots, possibly to sidestep the city’s image as a hub of liberal policies that may not resonate with voters in swing states.

This report is delivered by Scott Shafer for NPR News based in San Francisco.

Source link

More like this
Related

The Importance of Professional Pressure Washing Services

Pressure washing is an efficient cleaning method that uses...

Why Professional Pressure Washing Matters

Pressure washing is a highly effective way to remove...

Ultimate Guide to Window Cleaning Services: Why It’s Essential, Why Pros Are Better, and the Best Companies in the U.S.

Window cleaning might seem simple, but professional services bring...

Your Guide to Choosing the Best Pressure Washing Services

Pressure washing is a powerful cleaning solution to keep...