Craig,

I appreciate your approach to politics, and I thought that you did a good job calling out Quinton in the discussion over the Courthouse. But while I gave you a contribution in response to those actions, I hope that you won't consider that support of your campaign. Joining a slate created by a group of reactionaries who effectively want to build a wall around Cambridge is pretty frustrating, and if I could take back my contribution to your campaign, I would. I understand that the CCC slate wishes "people like me" had never been allowed in Cambridge. But it's sad to see someone who I respected -- even though we don't always see eye to eye on politics -- joining forces with them.

The CCC was formed with one express purpose: to do as much as possible to prevent more people from being able to live in Cambridge. They have, in that process, spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on spreading lies and misinformation, with the intent and express purpose of achieving that goal. Your participation in their slate lends legitimacy to that operation -- and will likely lead to them having more success in achieving their goals going forward.

I agree with your assessment that there's reason for cautious optimism on your part. But while I would prefer you over any other candidate on their slate, I think that it's clear that we have a fundamental disagreement on what we want from Cambridge. My vision of Cambridge includes people like me -- and the 8 people on the CCC slate are saying that their vision of Cambridge does not. Having you thank me for supporting a vision of Cambridge that would do whatever possible to eliminate my ability to live here is painful.

(Also, you did send me a quick thank you for my contribution earlier; so no need to feel guilty for the delay.)

Regards,
Christopher Schmidt