Going into the last month and a half of the City Council campaign, it would be almost impossible to bunch the half-dozen contenders any more tightly than they are squeezed.
Several of them were so loose at last night’s second in a series of Candidate Forums – this one sponsored by the Culver Crest Neighborhood Assn. – that they could have charged admission.
Jim Clarke, Andy Weissman and Mehaul O’Leary were in peak form.
Slightly former Councilman Scott Malsin was as strong as cement again in his comeback from brief hiatus ¬ the only distinction from the above group being that he didn’t try to be as funny as they were.
Meghan Sahli-Wells is growing in oratorical confidence as she stacks up public speaking appearances.
That leaves the freshman Stephen Murray, who is kind of interesting to watch and to listen to. He was much improved over his coming-out party two weeks ago at the Culver City Democratic Club forum.
With Ron Ostrin moderating, all six contenders presented effectively before an astute audience at El Rincon School. Unlike the tilted Democratic Club experience, the moderator was drop-dead evenhanded, the better for all candidates.
Nearly all – but not everyone – appear poised to step onto the dais after the April 10 election, including the three incumbents, Mr. Clarke, the jackpot surprise of the pre-election season, and probably Ms. Sahli-Wells.
As usual, the forum was thin on news – the same ground keeps getting re-ploughed at each neighborhood forum that rarely attracts a visitor from outside of the immediate area.
Mr. Malsin was confronted with a question about his one-month stepdown from office over the issue of pension and healthcare benefits. He handled the delicate matter adroitly. As the campaign wears on, the December controversy over his brief stepaside seems to have faded. The occasional public question on the subject that has arisen has been to Mr. Malsin’s advantage. It has afforded him a chance, in front of the Culver City voters, to polish his plausible response that left office to protect the longterm benefits for his wife and young daughter. Hardly anyone can argue the sound American-ness of Mr. Malsin’s reply, and, encouragingly for him, his rivals do not have an appetite for turning it into a bomb.
The ratings:
Andy Weissman – Like an elder statesman who quietly keeps accumulating luxury cars for each day of the week, he strings together showcase-level performances, regardless of the venue or the question. Whether a moderator is biased or middle-aisle, whether a question is from the bottom of the deck or mainstream, he answers with the fullness and the wisdom of a patriarch. Significantly, to prove his lofty quality as a public servant, he never is in danger of becoming complacent or lackadaisical. He is confident enough in his integrity and ability to acknowledge having been on the wrong side of an issue and correcting himself. Said he voted against an Animal Services Officer two years ago. But having seen the pilot program flourish, today he would vote to make the agency permanent. Grade: A-plus.
Jim Clarke – Impressively informed, witty as a veteran, dinner-table funny and as comfortable as if he were in his oldest rocking chair, attired in robe and slippers, he has been the surprise of the run-up season. If certain observers had been paying closer attention when he was working for and with state, national and Los Angeles politicians, including presently Mayor Villaraigosa, his comprehensive and deep presentations should have been anticipated. Sometimes called a newcomer, indicating amateurish edges, that would be 50 miles from the truth. He obviously has been studying the way City Hall works while living here and working out of town, or at least away from here. This is his time. Grade: A-plus.
Mayor Mehaul O’Leary – Still stung by his snub from the Democratic Club, which declined to invite him top its forum since he is not overtly a Democrat in this non-partisan race, he tartly alluded to it in his opening remarks. The tenor of his quip reflected his growth as a politician, that he was able to throw a dart at the board, stamp his point, then bloodlessly move on. Networking is crucial for him. His responses to Mr. Ostrin’s questions reminded older persons in the crowd of long-ago Lucky Strike cigarette commercials ¬ so round, so firm, so fully packed. A wordy way to say the maturation process has taken over his soul. Grade: A-plus.
Meghan Sahli-Wells – This is the toughest call because of a lingering concern that she will, on occasion, allow her philosophy of life to override an objective view of a subject. As a community activist, President Obama could learn from her. As a diverse, heartfelt advocate, she is so widely spread among various groups that she does not necessarily sleep every night. Owner of numerous admirable values, including being thoroughly informed and persistent, maturity and general-welfare views seem to lag on community-wide issues. For dedication and raw knowledge, she is untoppable. And so the voter is faced with a balancing act. Grade: B-plus.
Scott Malsin – He takes a stream of kidding, and sometimes not so jocular ribbing, about his supreme self-esteem. But he wins the jousting every time because his enormous suitcase of hometown knowledge blended with his lengthy agenda of proclaimed accomplishments offsets almost any criticism of him. That combination should make him unbeatable in 48 days. He is more relaxed than he was two years ago, resulting in stronger, clearer presentations. Grade: A-plus.
Stephen Murray – Quirky. If he is attempting to court recognition by being the different candidate, the non-traditional one, he is winning. He wants you to know he has done his homework, but he is mindful of the boy who digs in his backyard, uncovers a treasure and dashes into the house to display it with dirt other negatives still covering it. Polish in formulation of ideas and in presentation both are still strongly needed. He is mindful of the student who sprinted excitedly to the front of the room with the correct answer, but forgot or neglected to research how he reached the right conclusion. He is growing in confidence as a public speaker, though still a distance from the finish line. Grade: B-minus.
