The real Roberta?

Roberta Achtenberg, in the middle of a local campaign sweep leading to the San Francisco mayoral election Nov. 7, compared her "progressive" bid to become mayor with the republican revolution of 1994 at a packed Jack Adams Hall yesterday.

"The elections did speak to a natural yearning among our citizens to be more connected with each other and with the institutions with which we govern. Unfortunately the Republicans used fear and anxiety to rally their troops," Achtenberg said. "Our challenge is to create a real sense of belonging that comes from building bridges, not walls."

During her 25-minute speech, Achtenberg steered clear of the "policy-wonk" image she has become known for and hit on broad national issues. She didn't mention Mayor Frank Jordan and former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown by name during her appearance, but did joke about Jordan's now infamous naked shower scene photo.

"I intend to pull up my sleeves rather than take off my clothes," she quipped.

In the latest San Francisco Chronicle/KRON-TV poll, Achtenberg trails Jordan and Brown by 7 percent.

Earlier in the speech she joked about her humorless image after a lavish introduction by Hollis Matson, chair of the Academic Senate.

"A lovely introduction ... I remember when I wrote that," she dead-panned. "And they say I have no sense of humor."

When she did get to what an Achtenberg administration would be like, she talked about a "San Francisco revolution."

"I have promised to appoint a council of neighborhoods that will call upon people from every neighborhood in the city to work with me in generating artistic and cultural life, opportunities for community service and other activities along the main thoroughfares of our city," she said.

Community involvement in government was a recurring theme in Achtenberg's speech, sponsored by the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance and the Rainbow Residence Hall Association.

"I firmly believe that asking you to share responsibility in this effort is not the imposition of a burden, but a call to participation in a meaningful endeavor to which we have been aspiring as a people for a very long time," she said.

Achtenberg noted that while government is still controlled by the Republicans, she said the tide is turning against them and for her brand of progressive politics and community action.

"Newt Gingrich is finding the American public increasingly uneasy with his radical right-wing agenda," she said. "And Pete Wilson's cruel hoax to use our state government as a springboard for his unbridled political ambition has failed."

During the question-and-answer session, she bristled at one student's suggestion that she abridged Berkeley residents' free speech when she was Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton administration. She threatened to fine the residents for protesting a plan to build a homeless shelter into their neighborhood.

"I was a constitutional lawyer myself for 20 years. I happen to know, and understand and respect the Constitution of the United States," said Achtenberg.

Many students in the audience supported Achtenberg's message.

"I think she has a better perspective of what people want in the city than Jordan and Brown," said Robin Walentynowicz, a liberal studies major. Walentynowicz said she was inspired by Achtenberg's involvement in civil rights and her performance in front of Jesse Helms and the Senate Confirmation Committee.

Kim Stewart, a technical and professional writing major, said she came to hear what Achtenberg had to say, although she wants to support Brown.

"I definitely don't support Jordan," she said. "He just doesn't have the grassroots people."

Many in the audience stressed what they perceive as Achtenberg's earnestness when compared to main rivals Brown and Jordan.

"I think she's really the best candidate, and the type of mayor we need in this city," said David Gonzalez, a psychology major. "Brown and Jordan say things they really don't mean. She's different."

[ Golden Gater Online November 2, 1995 ]

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