KRLA Radio Show host Kevin James will be hosting 9 of the 10 candidates for the Los Angeles City Council seat in District 2 that is up for grabs on September 22nd.
9 of the 10 candidates for CD 2 have confirmed that they will be on the air with Kevin James on Wednesday night, September 9th and Thursday night, September 10th on station KRLA 870 AM. The guests will speak with Kevin from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm on both evenings. The candidates scheduled to appear on Wednesday night include; Pete Sanchez, Tamar Galatzan, Joe Essavi, Frank Sheftel and Mary Benson. On Thursday night the candidates will be Michael McCue, David Saltsburg (a.k.a. Zuma Dogg), Paul Krekorian and Augusto Bisani.
The one candidate that has refused to attend is the former Paramount Pictures Executive Chris Essel. James has mentioned this fact on his show , by saying about Essel, "The level of arrogance truly amazes me."
There may be good reason for Essels refusal to cooperate, as James has made it clear on previous shows that he thinks Essel is a terrible candidate. I am pretty sure that James' dim view of Chris was brought to her attention, and she may feel this forum is a no-win situation. However, Kevin James has been a good friend to the Mayor Sam blog and I believe he will be a fair interviewer and host for all the candidates.
As a Mayor Sam contributor, I strongly encourage Chris Essel to attend the show. Although I am not a supporter of hers, I believe in fairness and she should seize this opportunity to counter some of the harsh criticisms of her from multiple directions, bloggers, hosts, and other candidates. To duck the issue makes her look insincere and somewhat haughty. These are negative attributes that won't help her campaign.
It also makes her look weak to wither in the face of criticism from Mr. James. I think most of the other candidates wouldn't take that kind of criticism sitting down, but this seems to be Essels style as she refused to fight back at other times when criticized at other candidate forums.
I will be listening tomorrow night and taking notes and I hope that many CD 2 voters will also.
On Thursday night, I am especially looking forward to hearing the explanations of a certain budget-destroying Socialist who will attempt to excuse his way out of his financially reckless and dangerous behavior while in control of the State budget in Sacramento. But hey...that's just me.
Others will have many good reasons to listen , also.
You don't even have to leave home or worry about parking.
You can even listen on the internet at the KRLA website.
CD 2 voters should listen to the forum and make their best choice in September.
