Stonewall Democrats are not endorsing Mayor Castro this year (San Antonio: 2013, budget)

[Merovee]

At first it would appear that this is over Castro failing to fill out a survey this year for them.

Medina, an evangelical, voted against the city budget that extended benefits for domestic partners, as did Chan and Soules. But Castro?

“First, I don't like those surveys, the ones that say, 'Yes or no,'” Castro said. “They don't need to read a survey. They just need to read my record.”

Castro has earned the patience of Stonewall Democrats - San Antonio Express-News

But as the article notes it seems as if there is more going on behind the scenes, that Castro is willing to support part of their agenda but not all of it. Understandably they did change their agenda and it was not the one Castro agreed to originally.

Hopefully Castro plus the Stonewall Democrats & company can work this out because equality and dignity for all is the right direction.

[Bo]

Castro chooses his alliances carefully. He's gearing up to run for higher office someday and moves like this can help him avoid being tarred in a negative ad blitz.

"As San Antonio mayor, Castro was supported by an organization whose radical agenda included _____."

Easiest way to avoid this is by not seeking such organizations' support.

[Merovee]

Another good point you make regarding Castro's cautious approach to alliances. This point is paralleled in another recent article regarding Castro's delayed endorsement of Diego Bernal even if they were longtime friends.

To be sure, Castro is an innately disciplined and cautious politician

...

Castro's history suggests that he values personal loyalty and political pragmatism above all other endorsement considerations — including likelihood of victory or any whiffs of scandal surrounding his candidate of choice.

Castro's thorny endorsement of Medina - San Antonio Express-News

While the updated agenda from CAUSA might be radical the general sentiment and what Castro originally agreed to might not be so and hopefully Castro can find a middle ground or at least offer continued support for the original plan which was progressive but not radical.

Although the city is the seventh largest in the nation, it is the only major city in the state of Texas without prohibitions against discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity

2012 DNC Keynote Speaker Mayor Julian Castro Rattles Community By Endorsing Anti-LGBT Councilman | The New Civil Rights Movement

Then there is the fact that Castro endorsed Medina who, as noted in the quote in the OP, is hostile to the LGBTQ community.

In the minutes before that vote, Medina was seen in City Council chambers, strategizing not with constituents from his district but with North Side Pastor Gerald Ripley and former Christian radio talk show host Adam McManus, both strident homophobes who were leading the effort against granting the benefits.

When it came time to vote, Medina cited economic factors as well "community opposition" as the basis for rejecting the proposal.

QSanAntonio - Mayor Castro endorses Medina in District 5 race

What do you make of this Bo? Is Castro choosing his alliance (shifting alliances? building bridges?) with Medina as part of a careful strategy or is it as the E-N article offered that Castro prematurely endorsed Medina and is now "locked in"? It would seem Castro is running the risk of alienating his own supporters which is not being careful at all.

I am quite confused by all this...

[johnts71]

politics suck...period