Leland Yee Flipflops When Talking About Mayor Ed Lee

Serious competition is creeping up behind Yee

​We recently gave readers a little insight as to why state Sen. Leland Yee is ahead in the polls -- because he has mastered the art of telling everyone what they want to hear. This political chameleon gave us a brand-new example of his doublespeak over what has become a pressing campaign issue: Mayor Ed Lee.

Lee, who is filling in the remainder of Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom's term, has always insisted he wants his old job back as city administrator when the new mayor is elected. To ensure this happens, city supervisors signed off on legislation that would allow Lee to slide back into his old position -- but only if the new mayor appoints him.

Threats that Lee might decide to join the mayor's race himself have given most serious contenders a good reason to pander to the interim mayor. All have consistently said they'd give Lee his old, higher-paying job back -- no problem.

All except Yee.

Initially, Yee was noncommittal. He told the Chron last month: "It's hard to make any decisions about what I'm going to do as mayor. I have not promised anybody who I'm going to hire."

But less than 12 hours later, Yee called the newspaper back, saying he'd just learned about the legislation city supes had passed that would allow Lee to go back to being city administrator. "Since the city has made an agreement with Ed Lee that he would be able to get his job back, then I will honor the previous agreement."