Red card for dissent

Barbara Lee was not happy about Tuesday night's debate; New digital ad featuring the leader of the Thao recall says Lee is not the person to replace the disgraced former mayor

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—Immediately following Tuesday night’s Oakland mayoral debate, members of the various group’s hosting the event snapped group photos, chatted with the moderator and surrounded candidates Loren Taylor and Barbara Lee.

But Lee didn’t stay long. An entourage of men, who looked like bodyguards, surrounded Lee and slowly cut a path through the crowd

Lee did not look happy as she was guided to the back of the room and out the side door.

Her campaign team felt the questions posed to Lee were unfair and registered their complaints with the organizers of the event.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the moments when the debate appeared to favor either candidate. Many of the questions—about the budget, Thao recall, public safety, and homelessness—have been posed at every candidate forum during this truncated special election season.

The format may have initially unnerved Lee, but she appeared more lively and willing to trade barbs than at any of the candidate forums over the past month.

The crowd, however, may have been a factor. It was at times raucous. Supporters of both candidates often cheered and jeered attack lines. On balance, it appeared Taylor had the home-field advantage.

There is no verifiable polling in this race. But, at this point, Lee’s campaign appears stagnant and a bit petulant just as voters are beginning to pay attention. Rather than making a specific pitch to Oaklanders, they appear to be solely banking on Lee’s name-recognition and fame.

—More inside:

• Hard-hitting digital ad says “Barbara Lee does not speak for us.”

• How might Lee and IEs supporting her campaign respond?

• Alameda County supervisor says he’s “50-50” about retirement.

• Miley questions extremely low bid for removing illegally dumped tires

• Supervisors are worried about translation services for Afghan and Ukrainian immigrants and refugees.

• Invasive mussels at Lake Camanche reservoir have East Bay MUD officials worried.

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