If Kevin Johnson hopes to be taken seriously as a candidate for Sacramento mayor, he must demonstrate that he has a command of the issues and be fully candid in answering questions.
So far, the former NBA star hasn't yet earned double digits on either score.
Johnson said Wednesday, "I have not broken any agreements" in responding to invitations to appear with other candidates, including incumbent Mayor Heather Fargo, at public forums on the mayor's race.
Yet as The Bee's Terri Hardy and Dorothy Korber reported, organizers of at least three events say Johnson agreed to appear and then either backed out of his commitment or failed to show up.
What is Johnson afraid of?
Does he fear that Fargo will trip him up on the intricacies of tax-increment financing?
Does he fear that a journalist will ambush him with a Tim Russert question: "Who is the president-elect of Russia!!?"
No one expects Johnson, in his first run for public office, to be a certified wonk on municipal bond financing or slurry walls in Natomas levees. Yet it's not unrealistic to expect Johnson to lay out his agenda, spar with other contenders and answer the kind of questions he would inevitably be asked on a day-to-day basis if he were elected mayor.
Fargo has challenged Johnson to join her in a series of debates and forums.
Johnson must meet that challenge.
He can start by agreeing to appear at a May 7 mayoral forum organized by The Bee, News 10 and the California Museum.
K.J., what are you waiting for?
Questions for the next mayor?
If you have a question you want posed to all candidates running for mayor, send them to askthecandidates@sacbee.com. Include your name and neighborhood (which will be printed) and your address and phone number (which will not be printed). We welcome questions from city residents and those outside the city, particularly on regional issues the mayor can influence.
