Sacramento State hosted the mayoral debates on Monday, and the university was the only entity that came out favorably. Neither candidate came away a clear winner, but Mayor Heather Fargo lost more than Kevin Johnson won.

Johnson touted leadership and determination. What he lacks in experience he makes up for in enthusiasm. He is promising a lot, too much really, but he offered some plans for his initiatives. Johnson’s biggest proposal is to increase the amount Sacramento spends on law enforcement.

Fargo seemed stern, calculating and even snide. She interrupted Johnson on several occasions, but he cut her off a handful of times as well. Fargo’s highlights of the debate came when she was attacking Johnson.

There was some dancing around the questions and interrupting, but that is to be expected in politics and debate.

Fargo lost the debate simply because she failed to capitalize on her experience. She missed a huge opportunity to cash in on her flood control expertise by not tying it into her answers about public safety. In a city nestled between two rivers, keeping our levees intact and our rivers out of our living rooms should be moderately important.

Johnson handed Fargo a golden opportunity to tout her resume when he spoke about building on the waterfront as part of economic development, and she balked at it.

Fargo didn’t even say the words “flood protection” until almost 90 minutes in. It was during her closing statement and was in passing. It was disappointing to say the least.

For neither candidate to discuss flood protection, when as much as half the debate was devoted to public safety, was staggering and baffling. It’s as if our safety from encroaching waters in a non-issue. Rather, the candidates traded shots over gay marriage and other issues they have no control over.

Fargo is widely recognized as a guru in the area of flood protection and levee management. However, when she spoke exclusively with The State Hornet, she gave the levees a “C” grade. She did, however, give us as a city an “E” for effort. When it’s the crown jewel of her accomplishments, it’s hardly an impressive grade.

Johnson did less with the subject. He focused on a larger budget for public safety, but he completely neglected our levees. Steve Maviglio, campaign manager for Johnson, said his candidate is working with Natomas neighborhoods to ensure levee integrity and the safety of citizens. He added that building in Natomas without doing so would be “reckless.” Better? Yes. Sufficient? Not even close.

As of press time, the official website for the Johnson campaign has virtually nothing on it of substance regarding flood protection for the citizens of Sacramento.

Judging by the fact that no students asked questions about our rivers, maybe Sacramento doesn’t care about its levees.

Whatever actual dialogue was presented in the debate disintegrated in the post-debate press conference. Fargo was irritated and defensive. She was unhappy with Johnson’s aggressiveness and continued to attack him for not having a plan. She brought up Johnson’s alleged inappropriate relationship with an underage girl, as well as the ongoing federal investigation into St. HOPE, the non-profit organization he founded.

Undoubtedly, Johnson won by flustering a career politician. Fargo shot herself in the foot by not building on one of her strengths and attacking Johnson for ignoring it.

Hopefully, this helped students better understand their choices and they can make an informed decision when/if they vote.

In reality, the debate was about personal attacks and nonsense rather than improving Sacramento. It was 90 minutes of talking points, half-truths and smear tactics. Politics at its finest.

The State Hornet Staff can be reached at [email protected]