'SAN FRANCISCO VALUES'

IT SEEMS that candidates across the country are trying to run against
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and all those "San Francisco
values" she represents.

Unfortunately for Republicans, Nancy Pelosi is on the ballot in just
one of the nation's 435 districts, and there is no doubt that San
Francisco values her work in Congress. Because one of this city's
values is lively political participation, she is being challenged from
the left and right by two personable and articulate candidates -- the
Green Party's Krissy Keefer, who wants President Bush impeached, now;
and Republican Mike DeNunzio, who wants terrorism pursued as "a war,
not a lawsuit" -- though neither will come close to denying Pelosi a
10th full term.

So, what are those "San Francisco values" that are being invoked as
frightening words in talk-radio land from coast to coast? Is it code
for the scary thought that gays and lesbians might someday live openly
wherever they happen to land in this free country? We certainly hope
that bigotry is not being used as a political weapon in 2006. Right,
Karl Rove?

Is it this city's respect for individual rights -- on marriage,
abortion, civil liberties -- or its reverence for history, cultures,
natural resources and the fine arts in a setting that attracts
visitors from around the world?

It's easy to caricature the fringe elements of our politics and
culture -- the medical-marijuana clubs that cross the line into party
halls, the wacky supervisors who say the outrageous for 15 seconds of
fame, the street fairs for adults only. Just remember, San Francisco
didn't send any of these characters to Congress. It sent Nancy Pelosi,
a representative of great decorum and considerable ability, who is on
the brink of becoming speaker of the House because Middle America is
growing wary of the war, the corruption of Congress, the seeping of
religious intolerance into public policy and the unwillingness of the
Bush White House to acknowledge and address the pangs of economic
insecurity gripping those who did not reap its tax cuts.

Yes, it does seem that San Francisco values are a threat to the ways
of Washington. No wonder Americans appear so ready for change.