Another Look At The 11th Congressional Race: Will The Understudy Finally Get The Lead Role?

In every Broadway play, you will find the lead actor strutting his stuff, and the understudy standing or sitting quietly aside in some craggy corner; usually observing things. The understudy waits in the wings. He studies the lines, attends every rehearsal and acts as both confidante and shrink for the lead-person/player/actor. Sometimes he steps in at some embarrassing moments; like when the lead has to take a dunk or a piss, for example. Sometimes he runs to get the lead-person coffee or orange juice, or a cigarette, or an umbrella, or the laundry. Sometimes he covers when the lead-person’s “significant other” is tracking; especially when there is hanky-panky going on (which is not abnormal). It’s a role of many faces. It’s a role that takes you many places; some of where you don’t really want to go to.

The understudy seldom complains, he is a loyal soldier, the consummate team-player. Hardly does he ever get the credit he deserves. If the lead calls in sick, the understudy has to carry the show that day. If the lead gets into one of those infamous temper tantrums (prone to spoilt brats like they), then the understudy has to stay on call; stay close at hand, ready to go on stage at a moment’s notice. It’s a thankless job. You don’t get the kind of perks that the lead gets. Instead of limousines you take the subway. Instead of the” big bucks” you get the crumbs. In some instances you get no bucks at all. Chris Owens was such an understudy. If he got any “big bucks” then I am sure he will tell us soon enough. After all, there is a comment section to this blog. Confession is good for the soul Chris/lol.

Anyway, as far as I know, Chris got no bucks for all the work he did understudying his dad. At many an event you would find Chris filling in for his dad; he always did a credible good. In fact, sometimes he was outstanding. He gave speeches, he shook hands, he handed out awards, he also kissed babies; doing all this and many other things for the cause. It was in these roles, and also in the role of campaign-manager for some of his father’s political campaigns, that many of us (especially me) came to respect his intellect; more so than the fact that he was an ivy-league grad (like me/ lol). In the conversations I have had with him over the years, his insights, his analysis, his summations and his solutions/ideas were always thoughtful. You came away with the feeling that he was a cerebral individual with substance. I always wondered when he would get his shot to lead. I felt he deserved a shot. He had put in the time, he had paid the dues.

For those who don’t know, Chris Owens has been an understudy to his well known father Congressman Major Owens for about two decades. It was a role he cheerily volunteered for. It was a role that prepared him for the run he is now making for his father’s seat. You see his father is retiring at the end of this year. Three years ago in Albany (Black & Hispanic Caucus), I asked Chris a hard question: “why didn’t your dad use his ‘committee of vacancies’ to substitute you, when he had no challenger in the 2002 Dem. Primary elections?” Had this happened-I told him-then he (Chris) would have easily become the congressperson in that November election. After all, the district votes for democrats like nobody’s business. If memory serves me right, this district has voted “blue” since 1968 (Shirley Chisolm). Chris said that he didn’t ask, and could never ask his father to do such a thing. I thought to myself that this guy is either highly principled or a fucking idiot. Knowing that he wasn’t an idiot, I settled for the former; and I must admit that I was impressed.

In this race, I have stated publicly that I feel that it should go between Yvette Clarke and Chris Owens. I even gave some of the reasons why I discount the other two candidates, and why I think Chris and Yvette are superior in THIS race. Any internet reader can click on Room 8 (www.r8ny.com/under “bloggers”/my name/ then click on “Rock Hackshaw’s blogs”), and view some of the things I have written on this race. I leave a record for posterity. You can see for yourself, whether or not I am consistent, or whether or not I am wishy-washy. I have consistently said that Chris Owens is being underrated in this race.

This article is not an endorsement for Chris. And we are not drinking-buddies (for the skeptics). There are times where I don’t see him, nor hear from him/ or call him in years. I can’t even call him a personal friend. He is a political acquaintance/associate that I do respect. That’s the extent to our relationship. As to this race, the fact is that I have not fully made up my mind as yet as to who of the two I will eventually endorse. There are good reasons why I can support Yvette; the first and foremost being that she is female, and we do need more women in Congress; the second being that she has Caribbean roots-and I like that, as if you didn’t know/lol. If truth be told, two years ago when Yvette ran against Major Owens I voted for her. I thought it was time for new blood and new energy; also time for more females to step up to the plate. For me personally, this year’s decision is not as simple as the one I made two years ago. The dynamics are different.

But it sure would have been easier for Chris wouldn’t it? If you were to look at this from a purely un-altruistic angle; I mean, if his dad had done the “hand-me-down” thing. I am talking about a gift; like the ones former-Assemblyman Frank Boyland gave to his son Junior and his daughter Tracey. (Not that I necessarily agree with these types of gifts/ in fact, I generally don’t). Something similar to what the Dilans, Clarkes, Riveras, Espadas and other politicians across the city, state and nation often give to their progeny. Like what Ed Towns did for his son- only in a slightly different way. If Chris had pushed for “the gift” and gotten it, then he wouldn’t be in this fight today. But he didn’t; so that’s water under the bridge now. He wanted to win the seat on his own terms and that’s what he is trying to do now. He is trying to do it the hard way. I respect that. He didn’t take the shortcut.

I am told that the last time Chris ran for public office was when he lost against the incumbent councilmember Enoch Williams; I dispute that. Somewhere around 1994 or so, I successfully worked with a candidate (Eric Blackwell) for the School Board in Fort Greene (I do win sometimes/lol); Chris Owens was a late entrant to the race. Impressively, Chris ran alone-without a ticket- and garnered the most individual first place votes. He went on to distinguished service on that board. In between races he had high profile jobs (with Andrew Stein, for example), and stayed active politically. His current campaign manager describes him as a “passionate progressive”, with strong views on the issues he sees as important.

He speaks out strongly against the war in Iraq; he believes that the money being spent on that war could be better used fixing our education and health-care institutions and systems. He speaks up for gay-marriage; an issue that could have hurt him amongst Caribbean-American and Afro-American voters, who make up the majority in this district. He feels it’s the right thing to do; letting gays marry. All of his opponents agree, so he would lose no ground to any opponent on this issue. I don’t agree with him on this issue; but then I am no “single-issue-voter”. He speaks up strongly for compassionate and sensible immigration reform. He offers answers to complex issues facing the city, state and country. He talks about party-reform. His web-site is detailed with his positions on public policy. He is unafraid to take a stand. We may need this in Congress, given its recent direction.

Chris, “the walking rainbow (Puerto Rico born, black father, white Jewish mother, Quaker)”, has a few detractors, but not many. They never question his intellect or his abilities though. Some say he is a somewhat abrasive, a bit haughty and arrogant; others say he isn’t friendly enough as a person (too serious). Some even say that he needs more “charisma”. Others say he was never elected to higher office and as such he lacks the experience. I disagree with them on all counts. I especially disagree with them on the last point. Chris Owens is as qualified for office as any good candidate you can find anywhere. Period.

The best way to develop a candidate for a congressional seat is with “on-the-job-training”. As his father’s understudy, Chris Owens has had the best preparation for this job. He knows the ins-and-outs of this office. He knows the length and breadth of this district. He knows the issues, he knows the history. He knows Congress and the country. He knows the people; yes, even the Caribs like me. He has been around for a long time, punching his card in the clock for free. That’s admirable. That’s commendable. Maybe it should be rewarded.

If he is elected there will be a continuum that is priceless; a transition as smooth as silk. If Yassky or Andrews is elected the district will not be united, the transition will not be smooth. There will be many people unsupportive of either in this job. Chris comes with readymade support. Chris comes with a built-in constituency. These are positives. Plus he carries no baggage. Maybe a few scars from a few political battles over the years; and probably some lil resentment here and there from those whose corns he may have stepped on; but no baggage. No guilt by association with disreputable figures; no innuendo about where his campaign-money came from; no questions about his associations and affiliations. No rumors about his personal life. As far as I know, he is a wholesome kid. I could only hope that after I print this article, that some Monica Lewinsky-type individual doesn’t emerge to make me look bad.

All this is not to say that the other candidate I like here (Yvette Clarke) doesn’t have a deep connection to this district also- she does- she was born here. It’s just that Chris has had an intimate look at the district, from an up close, professional and personal angle. The experience and knowledge he gained at his father’s feet is priceless. You cannot just say that because he hasn’t held high political office that he lacks the necessary experience for the job; that argument is hogwash. Chris is quite qualified, educated, experienced, and suitable for the job. Like Yvette, Chris Owens is ready.

But can Chris win? Can the understudy now become the permanent lead? One thing for sure is this: if Chris Owens wasn’t in this race, David Yassky would be even more dangerous a candidate, to the hopes of those claiming to speak for “black-empowerment”. Chris has developed a lot of white support over the years. Chris has gotten a lot of endorsements from white groups, and also from political clubs based in the whiter pockets of the district. Chris is siphoning off many votes from Yassky’s natural white and/Jewish base. And the whites who support Owens are passionately firm in their support of/ for him. Plus, he also has black and Hispanic support. Chris Owens has a legitimate shot at winning, once he can build on whatever voters his father’s tenure naturally transfers to him from the outset. It’s obvious that his father has some loyal constituents who will vote for this understudy without a pause. He also seems to be the best person in this race capable of putting together a coalition of races, creeds, colors/hues, nationalities, ethnicities and religions; something that should be done after this race is over, given the polarization and the media hype.

I think some of his opponents in this race underestimate the strength of “parental-vote-transfer”. I think they also underestimate the many years Chris has put into being his dad’s understudy. I wish him luck; it always comes in handy in the homestretch. It’s an uphill battle for him, but he does have a serious shot at winning. If he doesn’t win, then I hope Yvette Clarke does. Either one is fine by me. It’s just that with nine weeks left to the primary, Chris is starting to look better and better as the choice.

Just one caution: this is no race to bet the rent-money on. Any of these four candidates can win. It will come down to execution in the homestretch. It will come down to organization, operation and execution. It will come down to who has the most loyal supporters. The most passionate supporters will carry the day. It will come down to what I label: T.I.P. It will come down to that and G.O.T.V. operations also.

You probably know what one is; but do you know the other?

Stay tuned–in folks.