Stokes Runs From Promise

Let’s put this in perspective.

We now know that interim City Council member Curtis Stokes, who was appointed in July to finish out the District 3 at-large term of Linda Saul-Sena, plans to run for a full-time council seat in March. It will be the citywide District 1 seat, the one currently held by the term-limited Gwen Miller. It’s also the one Stokes ran unsuccessfully for back in 2003.

The run-for-1 is his prerogative. The paperwork has already been filed.

On his interim application, however, Stokes formally indicated that he wouldn’t be running for council full-time. Those who chose him — the incumbent council members — had made it clear in presenting their criteria that they weren’t looking for someone to use the “interim” experience — and exposure — as an advantage to launch a subsequent campaign.

But Stokes changed his mind. Back in July he had indicated that family and professional obligations would preclude a 2011 run.

Voters, however, should keep this in mind: You don’t change your mind when it contravenes a key condition under which you were selected in the first place. Had Stokes checked “yes” back then, he arguably would not have been chosen.

But as we know, stuff happens. And somehow — four months later — those family and professional obligations are much more obliging of political ambition.

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