In my estimation the real victors tonight were the voters, thanks to the superlative work of debate moderators, Edie Lambert and Gulstan Dart–especially Edie. I was already a fan, but I have even more respect for her after this debate. Edie posed explicit questions to Johnson, and then pressed him to elaborate on his answers, which left little room for evasiveness or generalizations. The moderators (and viewers), also made it clear to Johnson–I think much to his surprise, in all candor–that Sacramento voters were going to hold him to what he says, despite his celebrity status or ball handling skills.
So who won? If you ask me, it wasn’t even a contest. I haven’t seen a blow out this bad since Jerry Reynolds was ruining running the Kings. What a clinic. What a shellacking. Is there any doubt who the winner was? It reminded me of the monster dunk KJ threw down on 7′4 Hakeem Olajuwon back in his playing days with Phoenix. Only problem is, Johnson was on the defense tonight and Fargo was doing the slam-dunking.
Come on. Let’s not kid each other. Fargo blew by Johnson like most point guards in the NBA motor past Bibby. Woosh. In all honesty, if I were visiting Sacramento and knew nothing about either candidate, and had to vote on the strength of tonight’s debate only, I would cast my vote for Fargo without hesitation. She finally set herself apart from Johnson by portraying herself as a seasoned professional, which–without her usual offense interference–depicted Johnson as an idealist whose closing statements (i.e. “I want to be the kind of leader..”) would ironically frame him as a wanna-be leader, instead of a seasoned one.
Whereas Johnson’s answers were at times evasive, disjointed and lacking substance; Fargo’s were crisp, eloquent, and insightful. Where Johnson lacked specificity in most of his answers, every answer Fargo stated was steeped in experience and in-depth knowledge of the city government, the challenges it has faced in recent years, and the challenges that lie before it. Where Johnson seemed restless, uneasy and uptight; Fargo appeared self effacing, refined and at ease.
For a brief hour in time tonight, Fargo FINALLY created a stark contrast between herself and Johnson simply by coloring her responses with hues of deep experience and shades of political depth that Johnson can not even fathom at this point in his young career. And she did it with style, grace and class every step of the way. Had she done this from the very beginning, there’s no telling how the polls would look right now. Instead she did the unthinkable and–as KJ stated tonight in the debate–proceed to blast him right out of the election season starting gate, insisting he could not be trusted and relentlessly ripping his credibility at every turn from her perch at city hall–which painted her as a defensive, divisive has-been who was evidently more suited for a retirement party than a re-election party.
But I digress. In my estimation, this was the first real test Johnson faced given the exacting nature of the questions, and in all truthfulness I think he barely made it out alive with his credibility in tact–especially given the “what-were-you-doing-in-city-hall-after-hours?” right-hook to his jaw moments after the opening bell. Ever seen one of those fights? When the fighters come charging out of their corners and before you can even grab a nice handful of popcorn–POW!! One of them clocks the other and the crowd goes “OhhHH!!” Kj was on the receiving end of one of those tonight.
I could tell that one wobbled him. It was a knee-buckling shot and it took him a few minutes to get his composure back. His tone was uneven and he drank a lot of water. I think that question set the tone for the debate. It also put Johnson at a HUGE disadvantage because no matter what he said all I could picture was the look on Rob Fong’s face when he rounded the corner and there was KJ with the security guard. Wonder if Fong got a tip? We can only guess. And that kept me slightly distracted and irritated as the debate progressed.
Overall I thought KJ’s answers to most questions lacked substance, and/or were in conflict with earlier statements he has made. A sampling..
1) What kind of green jobs would you bring to Sac? Johnson: “a lot of green jobs for everyone”
2) How much would an audit cost? Johnson: “If I get elected I’ll tell you later”
3) Are you still pushing an auto mall idea? “We can talk about it later”
4) How would you get along with 5 council members who aren’t supporting you? “I was a point guard in sports and I have worked with multiple egos”
Egos. Yeah. There are a lot of them at city hall from what I have seen so far. Then again it takes one to know one. And if having an ego is any help in cooperating with other egos on the council, Kevin will be good to go… as long as he doesn’t name-drop like he did tonight when he said he would ” call up my good friend Barack Obama and ask for help…”
Name-dropping always rubs me wrong. It feels boastful. I wish he would have answered the “how-will-you-work-with-council-members-who-didn’t-support you?” question something like: “That’s an easy one. We’re all on the council and we all want the city to succeed. I would hope they would be as eager to work with me to achieve that shared goal as I would be to work with them. ”
Then again, I have posited all along that KJ’s biggest challenge will be making the leap from allstar celebrity to approachable man of the people. Can he do it? Maybe, but I’m not sure why he hasn’t started yet.
So am I changing my vote? Of course I’m changing it. I’m changing it from NO ON PROPOSITION FARGO to HECK NO. I can’t let one good hour of debate negate 8 bad years of mayoral tenure. Who cares about an hour of lip service when we have 8 years of failed policy, midtown-only growth, broken commitments, broken North Natomas growth area, and the most violent crime in all of California only second to Oakland?
When Fargo took office in 2001 violent crime was at 700 violent crimes per 100,000 people. By 2006 it had rocketed to a blistering 1,300 violent crimes per 100,000 people. We’re talking CARNAGE on levels most cities have never seen. Even today, after two years of decline, crime is still over 400 violent crimes per 100,000 people HIGHER than it was when Fargo took office. That is not a leader. That is a slumlord. Sorry if that hurts peoples’ feelings, but it is the raw truth. Take a drive through North Sac if you want to see how much Fargo and her council care about Sacramento residents. Go talk to the homeless kids downtown like I have about youth development in Sacramento.
Great debate, Heather Fargo. You were AWESOME, and for a moment there I drifted off thinking you could be the right person for the job——- but that was before I was jolted back to reality by the sounds of sirens screaming through my North Natomas neighborhood to another crime in progress.
I am pretty sure Fargo’s victory won’t be enough to lift her over Johnson. Too little, too late. I think Sacramento residents have had enough of Fargo and Johnson will likely prevail for that reason alone. The best outcome I can hope for from tonight’s debate is that Lambert and Dart poked a few holes in Johnson’s ego, and showed him Sacramentans ARE going to hold him accountable, and we will not tolerate his (or Fargo’s) evasiveness on issues that are so critically important to residents from ALL zip codes.
Very fair review of the debate. I’m not sure I realized how cold Fargo had been until tonight. You are right she stood in stark contrast to how she has presented herself throughout this season.
I still don’t think Johnson is the one for our city though. I hear what you are saying and I agree with a lot of it but really Fargo has the experience we need in our city right now and Johnson is a rookie. One rookie in the white house is enough.
I still liked your article though. I hope Edit Lambert sees it because you really said some nice things about her
Hi Joe. I thought Fargo won too. Gotta call it like it is you know Joe?
Will I change my vote? No because Fargo has had 8 years to do a good job for Sacramento and she has not got serious about crime until now. That is really & truly insane.
Well I thought Fargo carried herself like a foreign diplomat tonight. She was someone for Sacramento to really be proud of. The only bad part is that you are making a huge mistake if you think that person we saw on TV tonight was the real Heather Fargo. That was an impostor. Don’t let her fool you. She is a sneaky one just like Johnson! They are both sneaky and I wish there was another choice.
Your site was mentioned on the news last night. Thought I would check it out.
I am a Fargo supporter so I don’t agree with your views
but
I do want to say thank you for being objective in this review. Your criticisms of KJay are warranted. I also thought he got beat up pretty good
Thanks for writing and offering a very different perspective than what I am used to seeing in Sac
I didn’t see last night’s debate, but I saw one of the earlier ones. It was clear even then that Fargo had a far better understanding of the details and nuts and bolts, and she showed herself to be a more experienced and skilled debator. That being said, I think that the last 8 years show a complete and total lack of leadership and accountability, and an inability to grasp not the details but the big picture. I wouldn’t care if she was running against Captain Crunch. I would still vote her out. With a record like Fargo’s, a third term should be out of the question for any politician anywhere, regardless of what office they hold. It would be great if we had a more experienced and politically astute challenger than KJ, but thank goodness someone decided to stand up and at least make sure Fargo didn’t run unopposed.
I watched (of Course) I was a little disappointed. Edie did well .Gulston drove me nuts. I would have rather seen Dave Walker. That being said this wasn’t one of Kevins best debates but I still think he showed he is on fire for the city and he will do everything in his power to make it a better place to live. Heather had some coaching for sure. Not to many eye rolls and she seemed more engaged but a little to late. If anything her motto should be regress and not progress. The city seems years behind what it should be as the capital. Yes the mayor is only one vote on the council and we do need to get some of those old birds out but the mayor needs to be a leader and push through with new ideas.
By the way I think Kevin was just taking measurements of offices the other day on his “tour”. He needs to see if his furniture will fit.
It’s easy to have a good handle on the details and put down your opponent when you do not have a transparent administration. The city has clogged up paperwork, refused to release so much information and Fargo won’t even release her own calendar. It’s hard for me to fault KJ for not knowing details when they have done just about everything to keep them hidden from everyone. A transparent, open city government will lead to better leaders rising to the top, more debates and discussion and a better city overall.
I also think Fargo outshined Johnson during debate. I also believe Johnson’s aloof answers shined. It appears Sac the city of trees–whether it is apples or oranges (Johnson or Fargo) that dominate our trees we’re headed towards change. It’s not so much because the candidates have spoken-but the people have spoken. The people have made it clear we want and demand change. Quite frankly I believe with either candidate- change will be the end result–they challenge one another, they called out one another and most importantly due to their lack of solutions, inexperience… they both caused the people to respond. I guess its true all things happen for a reason– Johnson was met to run so closely with Fargo— It shook her to reality and brought him to reality. I see a win/ win– Johnson, if Mayor, will have to live up to his promises… and if not Mayor should save face or as a “proud” resident of Sacramento and should still want to labor to assist the city with the development he proposed. And Fargo, if Mayor, has been slapped in the face with the realization she has to take on more of a leadership role and if not Mayor having had 8 yrs tenure she can save face as well and use her experience to transition Johnson into his role as Mayor. But all in all–it’s a good day in Sac–the city of trees- because the people will hand-pick the fruit—The people—the unprotected and the protected- have spoken! We’re attempting to see the forest through the tree–in this the city of trees (distractions).
Rhonda Erwin great post! Regardless of the outcome, amen to the IMPACT we “nobodies” have had on this election! We made some racket didn’t we?
Amen to America! where you can still make a lot of racket and not get arrested for it in the process.
I hope this election season racket we made brings about the kind of accountability Sac Blog spoke to above. It won’t happen magically though. We will have to keep making racket, even if KJ is mayor. Don’t forget the system (and developers) corrupts the best of them. Ask Fargo.
We currently have a secretive, heavily partisan, clique-ish local government who CLEARLY act as though they do not answer to ANYONE. That must change. Is Fargo the one to lead that change, to make our govt more transparent and cooperative and attentive?? No way. Toolate in my opinion. 8 years is enough of ANY politician. KJ is still my guy through and through.
Keep making racket!
I was so excited after reading your article I forgot to say GREAT JOB. I really enjoy reading on this site. Life is not without sorrow; but it should not be without joy because one anticipates sorrow. And in reading here it is welcoming –a joy–to see the people–Joe and company have spoken. I watched the debate… attended forums….I’ll attend Johnson’s town hall meeting tonight– but it’s not their words that matter much anymore…. I like reading here to see the people, whether the people agree or disagree, we want and insist on change. Thanks Joe You’re a blessing.
Thanks, Rhonda. The feelings are mutual.
I am also very grateful to everyone who comes to this site and shares their opinions, good, bad or indifferent. We are all in this together. We should rejoice in our similarities and mutual needs as a community, and never let our differences divide us.
My door is always wide open to feedback. I have found I learn much more from my disagreements with people, than I do with those I agree with.
So what if Fargo won the debate. Like you said, she can’t delete 8 years of crappy leadership in none hour. Could not have said it better. But I give props for finally treating KJ with some respect. About time that lady showed some f’g respect for something besides cats and trees and gay folks
Yo Joe. I met you downtown the other day! Just wanted to say I like the blog and you write some thought-provoking stuff. I’m going keep reading and supporting and I think it’s great you are out there in the community shining your light. I’m behind ya
Reg’
No on Prop 8. Yes on Prop 4. Tell Fargo Prop 4 is not a right to choose issue. She is such a spin doctor it makes me want to puke
Well Joe thanks for the props you ol’ devil you. Edie and had a blast setting Johnson up for failure. He never saw it coming did he? Well now eureka ol Johnson got everything he deserves.
Did you watch the city council meeting tonight Jose!!!!! Fargo and the whole gang we’re so nice and affable and perky. Most pleasant I’ve seen them in a long time! You think Fargo knows something we don’t about the KJ cityhallgate tour? I bet she does!!
Hey anybody know that Natomas resident who said North Natomas wanted the city to buy a bond or something crazy like that? How is that guy and why is he saying “we”?
Hey, Joe!
Ensconced in my perch up here atop the Sierras where I can see everything that’s going on below without really getting involved, I’ve become rather fascinated with your mayor race. Surely, the people of your community are going to have to make a tough decision come next Tuesday: whether to elect a standing mayor of considerable substance but with a questionable track record or a newcomer with no track record but a lot of hot air and promises.
Most fascinating, however, has been you, Joe, who came up with a “thumb’s down” on Fargo since day one (indeed, wasn’t she the reason why you pounded your “bully pulpit” in the first place?) and yet, in the course of a one-hour television program you could actually question your own point of view and along with Mr. Johnson become a “fan’. (Oops. Put a question mark at the end of that sentence.)
At any rate, I don’t know anything about either of the candidates and couldn’t make an intelligent decision if my life depended on it, but this I know, Joe: if you and I were in attendance at a prize fight and we both agreed on a winner and the three judges agreed with us but gave the victory to the other guy on the principle that he showed more promise or carried less baggage to the ring, we’d be up in arms demanding our money back and yelling “fixed!”
On the other hand, I guess that’s what our voting process has become. Seemingly, we are never voting for one guy but against another.
Yeah I watched the Council meeting… I swear they put Fargo on happy pills..she is not the same nasty woman she has been the last 8 years…hmmm crystal meth?
And the rest of them sure were smiling and falling all over themselves to be congenial to speakers…
Thanks Joe for forcing some change.
Oh yeah and while the resident speaker from North Natomas was quite compelling…(he had me captivated for a few seconds, I was thinking hey maybe we NOW we have a candidate for the District 1 Council seat) but then alas message was INSANE… a BOND? what? So he gets up there and states that the city is screwing us by de funding developer funded projects… then he suggests the city should seek bonds to pay for the infrastructure they want to de fund out of the developers fees. WTF? Do you even know what a bond is? who is going to pay for it? the taxpayers that’s who… NO BONDS… stop wasting our money on pet projects and subsidizing your cronies projects to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars in the last 8 years…..
Sometimes I think my brain is going to explode over the idiocy of some of those way up North.
Why don’t they sprinkle some fairy dust on their problems.
It looks like the folks down here in South Natomas will have to step in to save our council district.
John are you ready?
Hi Sierra Perch. Thanks for your post.
First, you already shot your credibility to hell when you said you could see Sacramento from the Sierras because anyone who lives in the area knows you can’t even see Sacramento from Folsom!
Second, I didn’t say I was a Fargo “fan.” I gave her credit for an hour of debate decorum. HUGE DIFFERENCE in my opinion. The parallel you drew to Johnson’s “I’m a big fan” endorsement of Fargo is totally irrelevant. He is running for office against her, I am not, nor am I a Kevin Johnson surrogate (which he has made very clear to reporters and others from what I have been told).
So while your observations might APPEAR to hold water on the surface, I don’t think they do, because at the end of the day this is an independent blog and I don’t represent Kevin Johnson or serve as his campaign headquarters or revere him simply because of his celebrity–as many other appear to.
In hindsight (always 20/20) perhaps I should have just dismissed Fargo’s performance with a few more zingers ——-or perhaps my first instinct was correct: to give her credit for a great debate simply for the purpose of drawing attention to the fact that while she may have APPEARED to be the right candidate in that debate, her actual track record in Sacramento proves otherwise, and we can not get rid of her fast enough. Maybe I didn’t get that across completely. Something to think about.. in hindsight..
But really, all that is peripheral to that matter at hand, isn’t it? Because regardless of how bad I want Fargo out of office, and no matter how passionate I think Kevin Johnson is about changing Sacramento for the better (which I do without reservation), the truth of the matter is that I am not KJ’s right-hand man, and never claimed to be. If I have created that perception with a single article (which I find implausible given my well-documented, candid criticisms of KJ all along—check the archive), then so be it, but that is not reality. You don’t see Johnson for Mayor ads on my site. And you won’t see a sign in my front yard either. No matter how much rambling you see on this site, the bottom line is that the object of my desire is not a celebrity mayor and never has been. My desire is an accountable, transparent government that respects the needs of ALL its citizens regardless of their ZIP CODE… and as a side dish a local newspaper that doesn’t choose sides.
Finally, I think your post raises some excellent questions about the genesis of my blog, and I thank you for broaching the topic. I have had to think long and hard about this question because after all, to be consistent, I need to understand the origin to establish the charter, and then leverage that charter as a means of checks and balances to ensure I am not being hypocritical, or venturing into areas that are not consistent with my motivations. Blah blah blah. You know what I’m saying right?
So (and this is still a work in progress ), after many hours of contemplation, here is why I started this blog.. at least on a high level ….
1) To create alternative headlines to the Bee’s (I hated their lopsided headlines that were clearly designed to paint Fargo as Princess Leia and Johnson as Darth Vader). I set out to level the playing field and offer an alternative view, especially in light of the misleading nasty smear campaign the Union 447 had launched. Mission accomplished for the election.. but ongoing afterwards…
2) To shine a light on the new growth area of North Natomas and share with the public the many many missteps, broken commitments, and outright lies on the part of our city government with respect to its growth (particularly the crime rate ,unacceptable ratio and concentrations of exclusionary housing, lack of family venues, and missing promised amenities) . Ongoing work in progress..
3) To get Heather Fargo booted out of city hall for her excessive focus on issues such as global warming and sustainability and urban sprawl at the expense of youth development, homelessness, education and public safety city wide.
I recognize these purposes may not have always been crystal clear, and that the absence of such clarity has probably led to some false perceptions. Lesson learned. The next time I start a blog I will start with mission statement. It’s all in the planning. I should know better.
Thank your thought-provoking comment.
Always learning and growing,
Joe
I didn’t get that you were switching sides at all. Only thing I would say is that you gave Fargo too much credit because I don’t think she did that great of a job in the debate. I thought she was listless and annoying again. Anyways though it doesn’t even matter because if your opinion could somehow be strong enough to sway the vote away from KJ then it’s not your fault by any means–it’s his.
Keep up the raw opinions. Whether I agree or not, they are always great fodder for conversation!
Hey John Muir that is ridiculous. Fargo can not reverse eight years of nothingness in 1 hour anymore than Joe can reverse 5 months and God-only-knows-how-many articles criticizing her in one article!
Anyone who reads this site regularly knows this article was merely a drop in the bucket and I bet they understood it in context. Then again Brian make a superb point in that if Joe’s opinion carries as much weight as you John Muir imply it does, then Kevin Johnson chose the wrong campaign manager and the only person to blame is himself.
Joe I say great job being impartial. That’s why you have credibility with me. I know you are doing your best to stay as close to your own truths as possible even if that means being unpopular sometimes.
I didn’t feel you were changing sides. I saw you showing both sides and afterwards you remained firm in your own convictions. Way to Go
This is another time you could of simply replied, “Don’t hate the player — hate the GAME” a game where so many elected officials and some others are trying to score touchdowns on basketball courts. Have a great day Joe. Heck, we can agree to disagree but we shouldn’t attempt to put words in the mouths of others that just aren’t there…
You have my respect…
Oh, the basketball court comment was not an attack on Johnson… so it doesn’t get twisted I should have said, “Trying to score touchdowns on a baseball field” I just thought of how my comment may appear and it was not my intention….
Thanks all. I’m a work in progress so thanks for your patience with me.
Lauren, Brian, Rhonda. et al….
back to the drawing board. In re-reading my post, I can’t see where I accused Joe of jumping sides at all. In fact, all I did was mention his questioning his own point of view which, at best, was only a tentative argument in that (if you noticed) it ended with a question mark.How does that become an accusation?
And, Joe…shame on you for changing your answer and accusing me of accusing you to be a phan of phargo when, indeed, this was part of the sentence with the tentative question mark I just addressed. All I was trying to do was make the observation that as an outsider (which I am) it was completely possible through this debate to see the other side even if for just a crazy moment (as in your case). It’s perfectly normal. Ask Christ. He had a final temptation also but never wavered from his original convictions. Or so I’ve read.
All that needs to be addressed now is the boxing match and the judges’ bad decision. How do you reconcile that?
Sorry John, as much as I strive to be like the master, I’m afraid I’m still–and will always be–merely a flawed student. And correct me if I’m wrong great teacher, but I believe I was designed that way. Or so I’ve read.
PS: I’m not a great debater, but even I know when an assertion or opinion has been cleverly disguised as a question. So you can ask all the harmless questions you want, but I don’t think your motives are as covert as you think they are John? (oops I should put a question mark there)
Joe, you need some lessons in reading between the lines. You’re not even close.
Sorry you get so defensive. I thought we could talk more amicably but you, obviously don’t want to participate. Didn’t mean to get your dander up.
Oh, well, I’ve got to get out of these mountains anyway. Snow’s coming–as early as tomorrow, I hear–and I don’t want to get caught up here watching the flakes fall when I could be in your fair city of trees watching the leaves fall, instead.
I was talking amicably. Where did I go wrong? You asked me a question. I responded very amicably, thoroughly, and even thanked you. You apparently did not like my answer, and–in a defensive rebuttal–accused me of drawing false inferences from your original reply. So let’s go over this again..
1. John opines Joe is conflicted (and adds a question mark to soften the impact)
2. Joe responds verbosely to John’s question
3. John doesn’t like Joe’s answer and accuses Joe of drawing false inferences from his original post and says even Christ didn’t fail his own principles.
4. Joe says a comparison to Christ is over the top, and admits to being a flawed student
5. John tells Joe he has a lot to learn and is too defensive and says Joe can’t participate amicably
??
By nature your post solicited my defense. By it’s very nature. It literally solicited a defense. When my defense was unsatisfactory to you, you called me defensive.
Lost me.
Enjoy the snow John.
And John your comparison to Christ left no room for reading between the lines. There was nothing implicit about anything you wrote.
“Great debate, Heather Fargo. You were AWESOME, and for a moment there I drifted off thinking you could be the right person for the job”
May I rest my case?
Yes you may rest it, for the defense, thank you.
I said, “For a MOMENT there…….”
According to you even Jesus had such a moment.
So I guess we are all squared up John.
Thank you and please come again.
Wow,
John Muir: I have too many battles to fight therefore I choose my battles carefully and I’m not interested nor do I see a point in continuing a fruitless –nothing to be gained from it–discussion. I don’t wish to answer your question, it’s a distraction. Have a great day
Joe: In the words of Gandhi: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you –then you win!” Choose your battles carefully, you’re in for a fight and this isn’t worth it…. Keep up the great work and don’t fall prey to distractions. This is Sacramento, the city of trees (special interest, politics, greed, distractions/ those who bring about distractions) Keep your eye on the prize not the distractions. Have a great day.
Well I tried Rhonda but John just kept coming like the Terminator! Deflecting bullets, shrugging off rockets, crushing the street and tossing cars out of his way, Man. I am wiped! But I still got an article left in me for tonight!
I needed that laugh– can’t wait to read your article
Wow, Joe, absolutely excellent review of the debate. As you know, I’ve been fighting my own fight on a different front and have sort of lost track of this. I’m glad you brought me back up to speed.
Hi Lori and thanks. I need to get over to your blog and catch up!