Election Leftovers

Well before midnight on Nov. 7, Nancy Pelosi knew she would ascend to the nosebleed perch of House Speaker come January. Meanwhile, Krissy Keefer, her vanquished Green Party challenger, faced the question that every Election Day loser must confront: Do I want to endure this stupid campaign shit ever again?

In Keefer's case, there may be at least 100,000 reasons to say yes. The self-styled "radical dancer" and activist snared 8 percent of the 8th District vote, which doesn't seem like much until you consider that Republican Mike DeNunzio scored only 10 percent. Impressed by Keefer's showing, one flush political donor has approached her about trying to unseat Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2007, pledging to give $100,000 to the Green Party if she runs.

Keefer has yet to decide, saying that even for a born performer like herself, the nonstop demands of campaigning took a toll. "You have to be 'on' all the time, and that can wear you down."

Or as Rob Black says, "I learned to appreciate a good night's sleep." His failed bid to oust Chris Daly from the Board of Supervisors ranked as the fall's most entertaining race — or most puerile, depending on your view of grown men squabbling like Paris and Nicole. Yet while Black, a former aide to Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, holds no regrets about seeking office, he's unsure about taking another shot.

"It's the longest, most intense job interview I've ever had," he says. "I need to take a break and figure out what happens next."

The same goes for Christopher Dahl, a write-in candidate for U.S. Senator who hoped to topple Dianne Feinstein. Despite his aversion to speaking before crowds, Dahl may run for mayor next year, an effort that would further his dreams of creating a new political party. "If you're going to get your message out," he says, "someone's face has to be out front."

In other words: "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." So said Winston Churchill, a guy who knew a thing or two about enduring stupid campaign shit.