Not since Burger King's obnoxious whopper-pulled-from-the-menu effort have we seen a campaign as obviously bogus as the faux-grassroots Run, Ed, Run. It was that bad, that transparent. Nevertheless, Lee's announcement on Monday that, in fact, he plans to run for a full term has already ruffled the feathers of the nearly 100 or so people who care about this stuff. It's also given navel-gazing wonks the chance to act like 5-year-old children in a public setting. Which, in turn, makes for great fodder. One other fascinating aspect to Lee's campaign -- at least to this white guy who hails from Orange County, so please bear with us, more enlightened readers -- was that, when he tossed his hat into the ring, it fell on a "Chinese lucky day" of sorts.

Chris Roberts of SF Appeal explains:

The first Chinese-American mayor in San Francisco history, Ed Lee's first day as a political candidate was August 8, or 8/8. Eight is a lucky number in Chinese culture (the Beijing Olympics began on August 8, 2008, at the auspicious hour of 8 PM), and Ed Lee just happened to go after Chinese voters on the lucky day, scheduling a merchant walk on Irving Street in the Sunset District -- the heart of state Sen. Leland Yee's territory (Yee was the Sunset's supervisor and west side voters are seen as his base).

Think the eight doesn't matter? Recall that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency switched the numbering of the Bayshore Express bus from 9 to 8, many say for just this same reason.

Quick aside: Do you recall the opening ceremonies in Beijing? We do. We recall it almost each waking hour. Zhang Yimou's Olympic kickoff was a revelation. Astounding, too, obviously. (Especially when compared to the wretched Australian and Greek opening ceremonies.) London has massive shoes to fill. Granted, they've got other things to worry about, but... put a pin in it, England. We demand even more magic and light come 2012.

You can catch Mayor Lee, as well as all of the other top contenders, at the second San Francisco mayoral debate at the African American Art & Cultural Complex (762 Fulton Street). Or, if you can't make it, you can watch it here.