The second half of the Sacramento mayor's debate was more meaty than the first. There was real discussion -- although not much -- of what the city could do to deal with people losing their homes. There was some talk about transportation priorities and auto malls -- the latter a non-issue, in today's economy.
There was Mayor Fargo dropping the bomb that some economic development staff with the city may not have jobs, depending on the outcome of the budget. (I sure hope this wasn't the first time they had heard of this possibility.)
Then a viewer asked about Fargo's trips to Paris and other parts of the world. Her answer was convoluted. She said that Paris was interested in Sacramento's experience with water conservation and combinated stormwater-sewer and so they paid her way to fly across the world. Really? Our water-gushing city is known as an international leader in water conservation?
Then, at the end, Fargo made a pitch, straight into the camera, on why she should be reelected. She talked about a real accomplishment -- expanding the medical centers here in Sacramento, despite neighborhood and union opposition.
Sadly, that was too little, too late.
The Bee's poll shows K.J. up by eight points. Fargo tried to downplay that outcome by noting that the newspaper's poll had her up in the primary that Kevin ended up winning.
But let's face reality: Incumbents who lose in the primary rarely win in the final election, even if the polls are wrong. Tonight's debate did little to change the dynamic. Game over.
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