1
2003
The eight people in the San Francisco mayor's race may well be engaged in one of the nastiest political races the city has ever seen. And it won't be over for a while.
Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, Supervisor Tom Ammiano, former Supervisor Angela Alioto and city Treasurer Susan Leal are running in a sort Lefty primary, each hoping to get enough votes to face front-runner Supervisor Gavin Newsom in a December run-off. Former Chief Tony Ribera, the Republican candidate for the office, and Libertarian businessman Michael Denny, are running to Newsom's right, also hoping to face him in a run-off.
Meeting almost nightly in political forums, the eight men and women who would like to lead the city have answered detailed questions on neighborhood renovations projects, youth programs, schools and education as well as homelessness, housing and the city's economic recover plan. But they haven't answered many questions about their vision for the city. That's an admittedly hard thing to define, ever for the most articulate. But in a world where anything can -- and often does -- happen, it's often better to know what candidates are thinking as they make their priorities and set their goals.
Today starts a series of interviews conducted with seven of the eight candidates. Despite repeated efforts to talk with him, Green Party candidate Gonzalez was not available because, according to his staff, of time constraints. Candidates were asked the same questions in the same order; their responses were taped and transcribed (with some editing for clarity and length) and are appearing, starting with Angelo Alioto, in alphabetical order.