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Rowland frequently teams up with Nash to talk about inner-city development, the effects of sprawl on the city's resources, racial issues, and how people are being left out of the economic good times. "We arrived at similar conclusions but obviously got there through different ways," says Nash, who first met Rowland on the campaign trail in 1998. "He has a business background; my background is more blue collar, working-man type. And yet we could identify on those things and how they affect everyday, ordinary, average people."

At first, the power in the image of a white Rowland and a black Nash standing together publicly escaped them. "The issue of race won't leave us," says Rowland. "And we didn't understand the power the people saw in the two of us and what we represented as role models. We kind of took it to heart. We had a lot of people talk to us about our role and our responsibility to be role models for future generations."

So Nash and Rowland formed One Kansas City to initiate community dialogues and go into schools to talk about race and diversity. "We feel that there were people who went out front in the '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s and that it's our turn," Rowland says. "We need to continue that dialogue and that work as it relates to civil rights in today's society."

A big part of Rowland's appeal is that he talks about things other council members don't talk about -- or don't talk about very much. He's straightforward and consistent in his approach and message. "I support Jim Rowland the way I do because if he gives you his word at 8 o'clock in the morning, by 3 o'clock it doesn't change. What a novel concept in government," says Nash.

And though he doesn't use the word much, Rowland seeks change. "We need to challenge our assumptions of yesterday and really look for creative and innovative solutions that mirror the 21st century rather than saying that 'We've always done it that way; therefore, we ought to perpetuate it,'" he says. "It's almost as if we've replaced the right way of doing things with 'That's the way we've always done it.'"

It's easy to interpret those remarks as criticism of Barnes. She ran on a reformist platform, pledging to change the way economic development happens in Kansas City. Barnes did make some appointee changes and instituted more city hall oversight of the economic development approval process. But many neighborhood activists feel as if nothing much has changed. This is especially true in Brookside, where residents fear that unchecked commercial development will ruin the community. "In reform you don't change the player and say that you've reformed," says Rowland. "Reform is the structural change that allows you to deliver services better or more efficiently or more cost effectively."

Everything Rowland does as a council member seems based on conviction and belief -- and political ambition. He likes being a public figure. He's comfortable in a neighborhood bar, unlike Barnes, who seems to prefer talking about business deals with corporate types at upscale restaurants.

One political observer says Rowland spends so much time in the inner city that people think he's the Third or Fifth in-district councilman instead of the Fourth. In addition to his political strength in Brookside, Rowland enjoys support in the Westport part of his district because of his concerns about too many 3 a.m. liquor licenses in the area.

"The Third and Fifth districts have a huge block of voters, and coupled with the Fourth, we may be looking at a new mayor," says the political insider.

Nobody has to tell that to Mayor Barnes.