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Zero Cool's avatar

I am not pleased that Lee is running in the race. Given her mentor, the late Ron Dellums, was Mayor and ended up being a lackluster mayor, I think Lee potentially risks her legacy doing this.

Oakland does not need Lee as Mayor to shake things up. It needs responsible and less divisive governing, as well as reforming.

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Ethan (KingofSpades)'s avatar

What would be her solution anyway? A minimum wage of $50/hr?

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Zero Cool's avatar

Minimum wage should be much higher than it is now, especially in Oakland.

However, my issue with Lee has nothing to do with what she'd try to do as Mayor and more with the fact that she'd be under increased pressure to deliver. When Dellums was Mayor he at least attempted to lead with interesting progressive initiatives. Unfortunately, he was bogged down with having not been fully transparent with his agenda and became more aloof over time.

Lee was fortunate to have been able to serve in the House and represent Oakland as well as Alameda, Albany, Berkeley and San Leandro for decades and get gigantic margins of victory in her re-election bids. This comes from never having received even remotely of serious challenge in the House.

Representing constituents in this aspect gives her freedom but being Mayor does not.

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Jonathan's avatar

It hasn't had that since Jerry Brown

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Zero Cool's avatar

Of course. Neither Dellums nor Jean Quan, Libby Schaaf or Sheng Thao ever changed things in the city.

Oakland though did proper more pre-pandemic, at least in the Downtown and nearby areas. Once the pandemic hit, that accelerated Schaaf's approval ratings in a downward spiral.

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