Called it

It should come as no surprise that Luke Ravenstahl's decision to not run again for Mayor of Pittsburgh is not even the least bit bittersweet for me, but unlike some comments on the intertubes, I don't believe this is all about some possible fallout from the police investigation (more like the last straw). I do believe Ravenstahl when he said yesterday that he'd been thinking about not running for a long time. And, I called it a year and half ago here:

The Thrill is Gone  

Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl at the
opening of the new Beechview supermarket

John Heller/Post-Gazette
Ravenstahl "listens" to East Enders' flooding concerns

You almost have to feel sorry for the guy. Now in his 30s, he's lost his "youngest mayor" news worthiness. He can't get away with the hijinks of his earlier years of stalking Tiger Woods or joyriding in a Homeland Security vehicle. At odds with the majority of Council, he can't deliver City assets to his bankster friends or even help oust his critics in that body. And, while he always had a problem with showing up/staying at important meetings (including those with the President), he can't even manage to be at the right place at the right time when natural disasters hit our region.

Just look at those pictures.

Is that the face of a happy camper?

And, even as the thrill may be gone for him, it's also gone for the voters. With a 19% approval rating, he's no longer Pittsburgh's Favorite Grandson.

But, Lil Mayor Luke still has over two years to serve in his current term. Maybe he should just do himself -- and all of us -- a big favor and pull a Palin. Say you're doing it for your family for Pittsburgh and just go.