What's Next?

I've been speculating for a few posts now about the prospects for our next Mayor. There's a group trying to recall Funkhouser. I don't blame them. His lack of political skills means that if he's not bungling political appointments, we have to put up with the tawdry soap opera that is his wife, whose sins include bigoted, perhaps even illegal behavior toward city hall minority workers, public descriptions of the Mayor's private medical examinations, and presuming to speak to corporate leaders on behalf of the city. (Remember her promise a few years ago to help Wal-Mart score a midtown location? I sure do.)

As I've said before. Outrage over this is no excuse for not thinking beyond the recall. That's what I've tried to do over the last few weeks. Here are a few more thoughts.

Could Our Next Mayor Be Hispanic?

One popular assumption is that Sly James or Al Riederer will run against Funkhouser in the recall election. I should put emphasis on the word assumption. That's because there's no guarantee that either one will step up to the plate this year. Let's say they hold back and no viable candidate steps up from the African American community. A Hispanic candidate could conceivably put together enough Hispaic, African American, and liberal votes to take the Mayor's office.

I'm making no assumptions about whether that will be good or bad. As with all elections, it depends on the candidate. As a liberal, the race of a candidate is not a factor in my voting decisions. If a Hispanic candidate steps up, I'll give him or her my consideration.

Low-Hanging Fruit

My statements that I won't get behind the recall until a specific viable alternative is presented has met with shock at best, and outrage at worst. The later sentiment is so widespread, it's obvious to me that many Kansas City voters would pick anybody but Funkhouser in a recall election. This attitude sets the bar for attaining the Mayor's office dangerously low. It's possible, even likely that too little scrutiny will be given to whomever steps up.

In other words, the failure to consider step two puts us in a situation were we could conceivably get someone worse than Funkhouser.