Oakland Mayor's Race: Rebecca Kaplan On Joe Tuman And Voting

Joe Tuman

Oakland At-Large Councilmember and Oakland Mayor's Race candidate called this blogger regarding the blog post entitled "Oakland Mayor's Race: Rebecca Kaplan Fears Joe Tuman," where it was reported that Kaplan recommended that Joe Tuman not be the second choice for those voting for her.

That information came from the Bay Area Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club's email forum, where long time Oakland local business supporter, political activist, and friend Pamela Drake wrote this:

Rebecca Kaplan contacted me and said that she is NOT recommending Tuman and that she refers voters to the East Bay Express article to make their own decisions. I apologize for repeating an incorrect report,
Pamela

So Rebecca's phone call was puzzling, but as they say on the street, it is what it is. What Kaplan said to this blogger is that she encourages voters to make the selection they think is best. Also, Kaplan notes correctly that Drake is a supporter of Councilmember Jean Quan for Mayor. Even with that, it seems that Drake was just trying to get the right representation of who's backing whom.

For example, prior to the message above, Drake wrote this:

Interestingly, although Jean has publicly recommended that her voters put Rebecca as their number 2 choice, Rebecca has reportedly suggested Tuman as her number 2 choice and Quan as her number 3. Tuman is fairly conservative and does not even support Measure BB (the Measure Y fix). This is a disappointment to supporters of Jean (1) and Rebecca (2).
Pamela

Then, to clarify for those who may be lost at this point, Drake wrote this:

Rebecca Kaplan contacted me and said that she is NOT recommending Tuman and that she refers voters to the East Bay Express article to make their own decisions. I apologize for repeating an incorrect report,
Pamela

Okay?

Kaplan Loves Tuman

Councilmember Kaplan wants it known that she has love and respect for Tuman and the two have become friends.  She has nothing against him.

The intent of the original blog on this wasn't to imply that Kaplan disliked Tuman, just that she was reconsidering recommendations because of his rising popularity.

Kaplan Calls Grand Lake's Allan Michaan

True to her desire to mend fences, a rare quality in Oakland politics, Kaplan also said she did call  Grand Lake Theater Owner Allan Michaan.

Michaan, who supports Tuman, has been a critic of the draconian Oakland Parking Enforcement strategy Kaplan supported, and Kaplan herself because of it.  This is an issue Kaplan's sensitive to and needs to make an outright statement that she's no longer supportive of the efforts that have harmed so many Oaklanders.

More coming soon.