Asked why she decided to start the process of moving toward a mayoral candidacy at this moment, Rebecca Kaplan has some explanations right at hand.

"Over the next few years, we are going to have incredible challenges in Oakland, particularly around the financial crisis, but at the same time there is a great opportunity to fix the functioning of City Hall," she says. "It seemed clear that we are going to not only have incredible challenges over the next few years, particularly around the financial crisis, but that we have a window of opportunity to fix city government--much of the city workforce will be retiring and we have a chance to reformulate how we align people and their jobs with the realities of the future."

You ever wonder what exactly marks the beginning of a political race?  Is it when Oakland's candidates for mayor begin raising and asking for large amounts of cash? Is it when the filing deadline arrives (August)? Is it when local media starts to talk about dollar amounts raised and the editorializing and framing begins?