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<\/a>\u201cWe keep doing what we\u2019re doing as San Diegans,\u201d Faulconer said. \u201cWe are better than what Bob Filner is putting us through.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faulconer\u2019s sentiment was echoed by all on the panel, with a focus on assuring attendees at the political festival that San Diego was still functioning. That did not mean, however, that they did not recognize it was, and continues to be, a difficult time for the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to me that we stay focused on the issues of the people,\u201d Gloria said. \u201cThat\u2019s going to be really hard to do; I don\u2019t want to mislead you on how easy that will be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gloria was one of three Democrats invited to the discussion and he and the others \u2013 Atkins and Gonzalez \u2013 said they did not want to lose the momentum that voters wanted when they voted Filner into office last year. Filner is the first elected Democrat mayor in San Diego in 21 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe as progressives, what we have to realize is unfortunately we elected a very flawed human being,\u201d Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ensure that we can distinguish the difference between a jerk that we elected as mayor and what our progressive movement stands for,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s where we go from here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gloria called Filner a \u201clemon\u201d and cited the difficulty it was for them as leaders to get things done with an absent mayor entangled in controversy. Filner had announced earlier he would seek a two-week, intensive in-house treatment for his behavior and has several lawsuits filed against him, including one from the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou elected all of us to go to our respective bodies to get stuff done and \u2026 it\u2019s much harder to get stuff done \u2013 to get results that you demand of us \u2013 with Bob Filner as mayor,\u201d Gloria said. \u201cThat\u2019s why he has to resign, allow us to put this nightmare behind us and move forward on that pro-neighborhood agenda that we all voted for last fall.\u201d<\/p>\n
While many encountered Filner\u2019s erratic and confrontational behavior for years, sexual harassment allegations against the San Diego politician surfaced July 10, when one alleged victim came forward, followed by several others in subsequent weeks. In those first days, many of the same people who supported Filner in his successful bid for mayor \u2013 Atkins, Gonzalez and Gloria included \u2013 asked for his immediate resignation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think many of us who\u2019ve known Bob for three decades or more know that he is demanding, he is difficult [and] sometimes even abrasive,\u201d Atkins said. \u201cI think what we didn\u2019t foresee or know is there\u2019s a huge difference between abrasive, demanding and difficult, and sexual harassment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lewis said he was proud of San Diegans for having a \u201cdifficult conversation\u201d about sexual harassment and the respect due to women, including women in public office, saying the city is facing it \u201chead on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goldsmith, who has had a publicly contentious relationship with the mayor for most of Filner\u2019s first eight months in office, said it was not a time to be pointing fingers, asking who knew what or who is responsible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re facing a real crisis in our city, and we really do need to come together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat Bob Filner has is not easily discoverable,\u201d Goldsmith said. \u201cThis isn\u2019t about sex, this is about power.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before the discussion moved to the immediate affects of what will happen \u2013 either through Filner\u2019s resignation, a successful recall effort or, much to the panelists\u2019 chagrin, Filner continuing in his role as city leader \u2013 Lewis asked each politician who should be the next mayor of San Diego. For Gloria, Lewis asked him directly if he would run.<\/p>\n