Sacramento mayoral candidate to come out against Prop 8

[davidinalameda]

but he's still against gay marriage; his reason for supporting it sounds like nothing more than political opportunism

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1224007.html

Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson will announce today that he opposes a Nov. 4 ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage – even though his personal belief is that marriage is "between a man and a woman."

According to a statement issued Tuesday by his campaign, Johnson opposes Proposition 8 "because it would write discrimination into the state constitution."

The press release said Johnson shares views with Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who oppose a ban on gay marriage in California but personally believe marriage should be between a man and a woman.

....

Mayor Heather Fargo said Tuesday that Johnson made "a good move to oppose Prop. 8." "Now we just need to convince him that marriage between gay people is in fact a good thing," Fargo said.

[cboy4]

1. I'm still trying to figure out how sincere he is....I have no

doubt that Mayor Fargo absolutely opposes it.

However, it's still a big step to hear a jock .. and an African American at that .. coming out in opposition.

He could have tried to have appealed to conservative voters, since his opponent is also a Democrat, but he chose to do the right thing.

The bottom line is I trust Heather Fargo more, even though Sacramento has been mismanaged in my view.

Unfortunately, I live in the suburbs and can't vote in the city election.

[davidinalameda]

2. he's tight with the more conservative religious leaders in Sacramento

I think he's doing this to make himself look more moderate

[sui generis]

3. to be fair

I think one can hold a public personal view that is different than one's leadership and political view.

For instance, I believe it is immoral to allow republicans to reproduce, yet I acknowledge and support the human rights of everyone to reproduce.

[LeftyMom]

4. Fargo is good on equality issues

Iirc, the only tv commercial I've seen for her plugged her being in favor of equal marriage and pro-choice, and she shows up at the appropriate local events. Unfortunately she's terrible on the issues she actually has some significant control over as the mayor, like smart growth vs sprawl. Not that there's any indication Johnson will be any better- his record in Oak Park and at Sac High is not impressive. I'm pretty glad I don't live in the city limit, as I wouldn't really want to vote for either one.