UPDATE: Greens lost...but by slim margin given that SF is a yellow dog stronghold. Banagor has a few choice comments on the election.
A critical mayoral election is taking place in SF today. In a big "L" Liberal electorate a Green interloper theatens limosine liberals.
As the gubernatorial recall result map shows, the SF Bay Area, and Northern coast are solidly in the red "No" column.
However there is serious disagreement over social issues between the pragmatic, old guard Pols and the younger Green action oriented Libs. Many counties could easily go Green in 2004 if a green candidate challenges Dean, throwing California into play.
Should Green Party mayoral candidate Matt Gonzalez win today the Greens would be poised to become a serious political entity in California.
Green radical in San Francisco showdownThe Green party will discover tonight whether it has scored an extraordinary political coup by deposing the Democrats in the race to become San Francisco's mayor.
With recent polls suggesting that the Greens' candidate, Matt Gonzalez, is neck and neck with his rival, Gavin Newson, the city could soon be led by a man who entered the contest late, and whose supporters include Michael Moore, Isabel Allende and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.
Mr Gonzalez's campaign and his rivalry with Mr Newson have created one of America's most intriguing political races for years.
Mr Gonzalez has been called "the Socialist Stud" and has been jailed for contempt of court. Mr Newson, a rich businessman, has been called "Dapper Dan" and has the support of the Democratic party hierarchy. He is the anointed heir of the retiring mayor, Willie Brown, an old- style political fixer who is bowing out only because he cannot run for another term.
Mr Newson, 36, is a judge's son and has the support of the city's establishment which has helped him amass a $3.8m (£2.2m) war chest.
He has enough endorsements to paper the walls of city hall, and senior Democrats see him as a future political star on the national stage.
Mr Gonzalez, 38, is a radical lawyer and former Democrat. He entered the race only in August, and few gave him much chance of success.
California is also in an "anti-politician" mood, as evidenced by its election of an actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as governor in October.
Mr Gonzalez, with his scruffy looks and combative style - as a public defender he was briefly jailed for contempt of court - is seen very much as the anti-establishment candidate able to tackle what many perceive as city hall cronyism.
Other issues are also at play. Mr Newson has spearheaded moves on the city's homeless which have angered some radicals in the city. He introduced measures banning aggressive begging and begging near cash machines.
Mr Gonzalez opposed the moves, accusing Mr Newson of criminalising the homeless. His supporters see him as the standard-bearer for the city's old radical values. As a bass-player, who has won the backing of the actors Martin Sheen and Danny Glover, he also stands for the part of the city that likes to party.
Another high profile defeat could be very bad news for Dems Pelosi, Boxer and Burton. LA county is also sliding away from the Dems grasp as the Latino constituency comes of age and flexes their political muscle. As the recent recall election demonstrated, they are not a voting block nor can they be taken for granted.