With Liccardo, I sense desperation to get elected at all costs. He says whatever he thinks voters want to hear. Then, once in the office, he will be just another traditional politician for sale to highest bidder, looking to enrich himself.

It’s no surprise they’re on his side. More interesting for people to consider will be not just how much Liccardo wants this Washington gig, but if he tries to be a lifer once there, if he catches the swoon others do, or want to be a regular who has plenty to go back and forth between “work” in Washington and home to take advantage of new as well as old connections made. Big Tech has been flexing its muscles for some time now and plans more in DC, too, with what might be connections of its own with old and new members of Congress. Stay tuned.

In 2022 he barred at least a third of San Joseans — the unboosted — from setting foot in San Jose City Hall (and SAP Center and other City facilities). He trumpeted his move as making San Jose the first city in California with a booster mandate. (The 12/21/21 press release is still posted on the City’s website).

The Liccardo booster mandate lasted barely a month before being repealed, after the Sharks complained.

Hard to conceive of something more extreme and undemocratic than being the only mayor in California to prevent a third of municipal residents from petitioning in person their elected representatives.