Jim Clarke offered a pragmatic explanation for why he changed sides at Monday’s City Council meeting when members were polled on whether to approve retail cannabis dispensaries in Culver City neighborhoods next year.
“I made the argument for why I thought there should not be retail,” he said.
“We (Mr. Clarke and Goran Eriksson) lost that argument.
“I am interested in being supportive.
“I still think there is a lot more discussion we will be having on this issue.”
Whether politics, entertainment or sports, dirty-talking sore losers are darlings of the media.
In Culver City, on the Council dais, the mood is markedly different.
Mr. Clarke consistently has shown the way on this sensitive matter of losing a vote.
No recriminations from him.
Approaching his 50th year in political life, Mr. Clarke once again this week demonstrated precisely how to behave once your cause is beaten.
This is a two-part experience – not only swallowing a loss but standing up, dusting off, flushing away temptations for bitterness and resuming a fight for precious beliefs.
Gentleman politician that he is, Mr. Clarke said that “I accept the results that we will have marijuana retail.
“I plan to continue to be part of the discussion about that.”
(To be continued)