Look on the bright side...

...The Burghosphere will have tons of material for the next two years.

(Ravenstahl: 64% DeSantis: 35%)

Lukey at Daily Kos

The Pittsburgh mayoral race is mentioned briefly in this Daily Kos front page post.

Scroll down the comments section to get to the thread on Lil Mayor Ravenstahl.

You know those people?

You know those people -- say, a Britney Spears, a Paris Hilton -- those people who, maybe despite your best efforts, you end up having to hear about their latest stupid moves?

You know how you wish they would just go away?

You wish they wouldn't be allowed to creep into your head because you happened to pass a magazine stand, or someone in your office is talking about them, or worst of all, some news director thinks that their latest exploits actually constitute news.

Maybe a wee part of you enjoys their latest train wreck but ultimately you wish they'd just STFU and go away.

Wouldn't it be a beautiful thing to be able to vote them off the island? (Don't you wish you didn't even know what that phrase means?)

Now just think for a moment how truly lovely it would be to never have to hear about one more Luke Ravenstahl boneheaded move.

According to today's Post-Gazette:

The city's home rule charter states the winner of today's race will officially become mayor as soon as the county certifies the election, which Mr. Wolosik said should happen in 20 days -- possibly on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Think about that.

We have the power to just make Lil Mayor Luke just go away.

No more turning on the TV or opening up the newspaper and reading about Lukey firing whistleblowers, or getting handcuffed, or forgetting where he spent the night in NYC, or stalking another celeb, or taking a $9,000 golf outing gift from UPMC, or missing meetings with minorities and women, or blaming women for his own inaction on police with domestic violence problems, or joyriding in a Homeland Security SUV, or letting kids play in lead contaminated parks, or hearing him lie about each and every one of these things over and over again.

It would be just like never hearing the name "Paris Hilton" again. Just like never seeing Britney's panty-less bottom one more time as she exits her tricked-out SUV. Just like never seeing a promo of some chick sobbing over the latest "Bachelor."

Not one more cringe-inducing crazy celeb moment (nor any more hysterical fan's defense of their hero's cringe-inducing episode).

Except of course, ultimately, Britney's and Paris' latest exploit don't really impact on your own life (other than to temporarily lower your IQ), whereas Lukey's latest cockup actually affects the lives of the residents of this city and region.

Right now -- today -- you have the power to vote Lukey off the island.

Just do it.

You broke my Photoshop!



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Delano's take on tomorrow

In addition to his KDKA TV report, Jon Delano riffs on the mayoral race on his Delano's Den blog (expectations game, etc.).

For the record, I expect DeSantis to do well but not win.

[sigh]

Hey, Pittsburgh! Why don't you surprise me?
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Luke as farce

According to Sue at Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents, Lil Mayor Luke Ravenstahl must be worried about the gay vote because:

It would seem that Luke's people realized what a huge gaffe he made last week by saying he does not favor civil unions. Thus, he has scheduled a meeting with representatives from the Steel City Stonewall Democrats at 2:30 PM Monday. To clarify.

Apparently, Luke has stated that he doesn't know what a civil union is.

The Mayor of Pittsburgh -- a Democrat under the age of 40 -- does not know what a civil union is.

That is so blissfully ridiculous that there's simply no need for further comment.

As I commented at her blog the day before:

by Maria in Pgh on Fri 02 Nov 2007 02:28 PM EDT Profile Permanent Link
I heard that Lukey stonewalled the Stonewall Dems -- promising to get back to them with answers to their questionnaire and never delivering.

Small wonder since his real answers on such a questionnaire would have "outed" him before he got whatever cash he could grab.

Someone else commented there that "Luke blew off the Steel City Stonewall Democrats reception Saturday afternoon in Shadyside with Barney Frank."

This reminds me ever so much of his position on contraceptives:

1)Try to remain as neutral and uncontroversial as possible in public.

2) But, whisper to the bubbas in private that he's doing the "right" Catholic thing.

3) Then flail around and lie when outed.

What a nice, principled, young man!

Once again, it behooves us to mention that Ravenstahl -- who is always claiming that he stands for Democratic Party principles -- is extremely anti choice and anti gay, while his Republican challenger, Mark DeSantis is pro choice and pro gay.
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Some Debate Coverage

The usual suspects (the P-G and the Trib) were in the crowd last night for the QED debate.

The lede in the P-G:

The two major candidates for mayor -- facing each other for the seventh time in 24 days -- last night proved that familiarity doesn't necessarily breed contempt as they engaged in a debate that was not nearly as churlish as some previous encounters.

During the hour-long televised debate, sponsored by WQED-TV, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and challenger Mark DeSantis answered a dozen questions and traded short rebuttals that invariably stuck to the scripts they've rolled out on previous occasions.

Part of the reason for the high-mindedness might have been that the questions, posed by moderator Stacy Smith and panelists Michael Bartley, Tonia Caruso and Chris Moore, focused on how the candidates would save money, help young people find jobs and improve race relations in the city. It was the first forum during which the matter of Mr. Ravenstahl's ethics was never raised.

I noticed that when the thing was over. No mention of the SUV or the "tinkered" KDKA poll. Just policy and a few attacks from young Luke.

The Trib's much shorter piece on the debate focused on DeSantis' campaign contributions and how he'd be staffing the Mayor's office if he was elected:

In their seventh and final debate, Democratic Mayor Luke Ravenstahl repeated his attack on Republican challenger Mark DeSantis for having made campaign contributions to GOP politicians, including President Bush, while DeSantis charged Ravenstahl is using the issue as "a distraction."

During the hour-long debate broadcast live Thursday night on WQED-TV, DeSantis listed local Democrats he's also supported with campaign donations and said a DeSantis administration likely would be staffed with "a preponderance of Democrats."

In the discussion about the residency requirements of city employees (DeSantis wants to do away with the requirement that city employees live within city limits, Ravenstahl doesn't), Ravenstahl showed some weasel words. He criticised DeSantis for both supporting Community Based Policing and yet not supporting a residency requirement for the police. DeSantis, though, pointed out that right now there isn't a requirement for a police officer to live in the community where he works.

Subtle point that wasn't emphasized in the debate enough.

CapitalMan (of Darn News) was also there, tapping away furiously at a laptop right behind me.

His assessment of the players:

Everyone knows Mark DeSantis is more intelligent, responsible, and honest than Luke Ravenstahl. But Luke’s a bare-knuckled politician. He’s willing to be gruff, amiable, and angered when it suits him.

And I just wanted to reiterate a few things for the more left leaning among us:

• Ravenstahl is against both Gay Marriage and "Civil Unions"
• DeSantis favors Gay Marriage
• DeSantis also described himself last night as "pro-choice"

I'm just saying - it's interesting that on a few issues, the Republican is far more liberal than the Democrat in this race.

UPDATE CORRECTION: In an e-mail from my friend Sue, who writes at Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents. She informed me that I made a mistake in writing that Mark DeSantis favors gay marriage. I checked with the campaign and, yes indeedeeo, I goofed. They told me DeSantis favors "civil unions" but not "gay marriage." A mistake, though an understandable one as considering that according to the video, the question was about "gay unions." I should have been more careful with my wording.

By the way, Sue endorses DeSantis

A Strange Phone Call

When I was away in CT, I got a strange phone call. The setting of the phone call is not important, but the WHO and the WHY are incredibly important.

The Ravenstahl campaign called me this past week - to see if I'd be willing to (if my memory serves me correctly) volunteer with handing out literature in an upcoming parade.

Me. They called me. To volunteer for them.

Don't they read this blog?

Or this one?

Or the Early Returns page at the P-G?

Sheesh.

By the way, I was at the QED debate tonight as was, of course, the mayor himself. With him, in a rumpled suit a half-size to large and in dire need of a pressing, was Yarone Zober. I contemplated seeing if I could get snubbed by the mayor AGAIN or at least introducing myself to Yarone as "The guy Luke brushed off at the TAE debate" but I decided against both as Yarone seemed to be already flustered by either Luke's lackluster performance at the debate or the close proximity to DeSantis' campaign staff.

Or maybe both.

All-in-all I thought DeSantis did a better job (with one obvious flub) than young Luke. While the mayor, his ad libbed lines all well rehearsed, breezed through some questions seemingly oblivious to the question asked (for instance, when asked about what he did before he was mayor to help the African-American community in this city, Luke's answer was all about reminding the folks at home what he did after he was mayor to help out that community), he had an annoying habit of not following up on offered rebuttals. It struck me, as someone put it, that once he was off his talking points, he had nothing to say.

Not a good thing for a mayoral candidate.

And This Makes Three...

From the New Pittsburgh Courier:

Yes, Pittsburgh is awash in change and that change should signal a departure from the one-party dominance by electing Mark Desantis as mayor.

Desantis’ entry in the mayoral election provided an opportunity for the entire community to have a choice in who will lead the city for the balance of term of the late mayor, Bob O’Connor. He has articulated the pragmatism needed to make some of the tough decisions to return Pittsburgh to the regional economic powerhouse it was by relying on what makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh—hard work, determination and entrepreneurship, but with a difference. That tough, nose-to-the-grindstone ethic is required to make the hard fiscal decisions that will ultimately make or break Pittsburgh’s foreseeable future.

In a press release, DeSantis said:

I am very pleased and honored to receive the endorsement of the New Pittsburgh Courier. I have now received the endorsement off all of the major newspapers. This is another indication that Pittsburgh voters want change and that our campaign is building momentum.

With the endorsements of the P-G and the Ttib, this makes three endorsements. Good for DeSantis

Reminder: WQED Mayoral Debate Tonight

From WQED:

Mayoral Debate officially titled: WQED Presents: The 2007 Pittsburgh Mayoral Debate will air on:

WQED TV-13 and WQED HD (13.1) will first air on Thursday, 11/1/07, 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Program will repeat on WQED TV-13 Saturday, 11/3/07 from 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM.

Program description:

Who will be the next mayor of Pittsburgh and how is that person going to address the many issues that face the city & affect the entire metropolitan region? Meet the candidates and hear what they have to say about tough issues. Moderated by Stacy Smith. Produced by WQED in partnership with the League of Women Voters.

Live Studio Audience--please report to WQED Studios, 4802 Fifth Avenue in Oakland by 7:30pm on November 1.
Live Simul-Stream at wqed.org from 8-9pm on November 1
Public invited to post questions for the candidates before November 1 at http://www.wqed.org/
Debate panelists: Michael Bartley, Chris Moore and Tonia Caruso

Lukey goes trick-or-treatin'

(click here to view)

Rob Rogers Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Oct 31, 2007 EditorialCartoonists.com

Halloween Edition

1) I know it must be Halloween because I received something in my mailbox designed to curl my hair (too late -- already done) and cover me in goosebumps. Yes, I got the most recent Ravenstahl mailer -- the one that has the big picture of GW on it beside a photo of Mark DeSantis. On the back it reads: "Say no to George W. Bush, Say no to Republican Mark DeSantis." OHMYGOD, Karl Rove will appear under my bed at midnight on election day if I vote for DeSantis! SAVE US ALL!!!!

2) FEMA is looking into Lil Mayor Luke's joyriding in a Homeland Security SUV. Very scary . . . for Lukey!

AND, TRULY FRIGHTENING:

3) Looks like Interim Mayor Luke Ravenstahl may get his wish and have a vote on City Council Bill No. 2007-1797 (Police and Domestic violence) postponed until after the election.

It's no secret that Ravenstahl does not support this bill or that the FOP opposes it and has LIED about what passage of it will do. They are claiming that Council does not have the authority to pass it (BULL!) and that that commanders who accidentally violated an ordinance could be subject to criminal charges (MORE BULL).

What I find more frightening is that only Doug Shields and Bill Peduto (the two cosponsors) have so far come out in favor of the bill (though Twanda Carlisle may be leaning in its favor).

If you haven't yet, email your councilor RIGHT NOW and ask them to support Bill No. 2007-1797 and the four amendments.

The police cannot and should not police themselves as they want.

(Also, check out Behind the Blue Wall a blog that tracks domestic violence issues with police nationally.)

UPDATE: Click here for something m,ore fun than scary.
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Motznik Chastises the Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Councilman Jim Motznik railed against the Post-Gazette's endorsement of Republican Mark DeSantis during today's City Council meeting.

He bemoaned what he said was a less than factual endorsement. His complaint centered on this one sentence in the P-G:

Instead of privatizing a service like trash collection, he extends it to Wilkinsburg -- not because it saves Pittsburgh money but because it's created a few more city jobs while helping a municipal neighbor.

Motznik said the move actually saved the city $815,000.00 a year and that it also took 30 garbage trucks off the streets (Council President Doug Shields chimed in saying it actually saved the city over a million a year).

He also said the following:

"...it doesn't matter to me who they endorse for mayor." (Yeah, right)

"I'm frustrated at the crap that a newspaper I used to think was credible would print." (You mean when they printed your bogus claim that Ravenstahl created the 311 line?)

"Don't they have a board of directors that reviews their stories to make sure they are accurate?" (Uh, Jimmy, that wouldn't be the job of a board of directors.)

"Why isn't the editor reading this stuff?" (Uh, Jimmy, it's the editors who WRITE the editorials.)

"Why isn't the editorial board reading it?" (See above.)

"I'm not here to tell you to vote for Luke Ravenstahl." (Well, yeah, you kind of are.)

He also compared the Post-Gazette to AM talk radio and said that the people of Pittsburgh weren't as dumb as the media thinks they are.

In case you're reading this, Councilman Motznik, I don't automatically assume that privatization is a good thing and even if you're correct on any monies saved (and I don't know that you are), you're only addressing one line in the P-G's endorsement.

You can take your yellow boots off again because, as you say, the people of Pittsburgh aren't as dumb as someone may think we are.

Comes a new dawn

Well, the Post-Gazette has endorsed a Republican for mayor for Pittsburgh and . . .

. . . the sun still rose,

the three rivers have not turned to blood,

and there is no rioting in the streets . . . yet . . .

And That Makes Two: The Trib Endorses DeSantis

Here.

It's an odd little endorsement. It begins with a nightmare of sorts:

Mark DeSantis could be the next mayor of Pittsburgh. But for all the wrong reasons.

A growing number of Democrats fear Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is a liability. They might try to swing the Nov. 6 election to the Republican challenger, letting him serve the remaining two years of the late Mayor Bob O'Connor's term. After all, there's nothing worse than allowing an immature and lightning-attracting accidental mayor to expand his power base by being elected in his own right.

Democrats could tolerate a brief GOP mayoral tenure. With their lock on City Council, Mr. DeSantis couldn't do much "damage." Back the political novitiate, hamstring and discredit him, then plan for a Democrat mayoral coronation in 2009. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Has anyone else heard of this plan? I must've missed the talking points that day. Does anyone out there know anyone who actually believes that? The Trib editorial board quickly gets onto the rest of the endorsement:

But we think Mark DeSantis should be elected for all the right reasons. His sound policy prescriptions. His understanding of basic economics. His forthright nature. His integrity. His understanding of "public service" and his fealty to restoring its true meaning.

Note the phrase "forthright nature." And although they misuse, I think, the term "positivism" in the next paragraph, by the end of the editorial they "heartily" endorse Mr DeSantis. In a press release, DeSantis is quoted as saying:

I am very honored to receive the endorsement of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. I am pleased to see that the Trib's editorial board believes in my vision for a new Pittsburgh. The endorsements of both the Tribune-Review and Post-Gazette are indications of the growing momentum of my campaign.

It's weird, both papers agreeing on something political?

Post-Gazette DeSantis Endorsement Is Online

Here's the link:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07301/828883-35.stm

It not only says what is wrong with interim Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, it says what is right with challenger Mark DeSantis.

The editorial starts:

Pittsburghers are living in a unique time. There has never been an election for mayor in which the incumbent has served for 14 months, in which the winner will get only two years and where the future of the city, now under strict oversight from the state, hangs in the balance.

Unusual times call for more than the usual leadership. For Pittsburghers on Nov. 6, that means voting for Mark DeSantis, the first Republican the Post-Gazette has endorsed for mayor since John Tabor in 1969.

Why should a city dominated by Democrats consider a Republican for mayor? Because one-party rule has failed Pittsburgh and failed it repeatedly. It has failed to prevent population loss and business erosion. It has failed to head off the city's near-bankruptcy and job loss. It has failed to generate the big ideas that should be propelling Pittsburgh into the 21st century.

It ends by reminding their readers -- the voters -- that only they have the power to enact real change.
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Post-Gazette Endorses DeSantis

I just got an e-mail from the DeSantis folks. It reads, in part:

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced today that they have endorsed Mark DeSantis. The editorial board said this about the election and Mr. DeSantis, "It's a campaign about who can muster the vision and leadership to modernize city government." The editorial board compared Mr. DeSantis to the other candidates stating, "None of them holds the promise of Mark DeSantis." "One thing we do know is the Republican, this year, can win."

When I contacted the campaign press for a confirmation, Meghan Jones, the campaign's press secretary, informed me that the endorsement is actually in Sunday's paper (on page G2, I think she said.)

The press release goes on to quote Mr DeSantis:

I am humbled by the Post-Gazette Editorial Board's endorsement. I believe Pittsburgh residents want a change and the Post-Gazette's column reflects the thoughts and feelings of the voters in this city that want a positive change.

Seeing that Maria, the OPJ, has already published her intentions to vote for DeSantis, it's nice to know that the P-G is following her lead.

Thus Speaketh Lil Mayor Luke

"I'll Win" Thus Speaketh Lil Mayor Luke in the Post-Gazette.

Aside from announcing that he'll win, Lukey is seemingly happy with only, maybe getting "up to $4.2 million in each of the next three years" from such behemoth nonprofits as UPMC. That would be the very same UPMC who paid $9,000.00 to allow Ravenstahl to do what he does best: golf with celebs.

He also says of city-county consolidation:

"I have not said 'no' to that but I have not had any blueprint put in front of me that makes sense. It just doesn't," he said.

Here, I had the exact same reaction as Bram:

You are waiting for someone to hand you a "blueprint?" How about putting together a plan of your own?

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Mayor Ravenstahl blames women's groups for delays in action on a domestic-violence police policy

Good Lord! Once again, it isn't Lukey's fault -- it's "been taken out of his hands."

From this week's City Paper:

And critics, certainly, are frustrated by that defense. It is similar to Ravenstahl's explanation earlier this year for why he promoted three police officers who had faced allegations of domestic abuse. The allegations against one officer, then-sergeant George Trosky, were well publicized, and Ravenstahl says he promoted Troksy anyway, based on his overall service. "The other two were issues I was unaware of until afterwards, and I certainly regret that I was unaware of them."

So far, he says, resolving the issue has also been taken out of his hands. In June, Ravenstahl met with anti-abuse advocates and pledged to work with them on a zero-tolerance policy. But while the city has instituted a citywide background check for new hires and promotions, a comprehensive policy has not been released -- because, Ravenstahl says, women's groups haven't met with him since.

"I've been frustrated that our initial meeting [with anti-abuse activists] has never been followed up on," he says. While another meeting is slated the week this issue hits the stands -- and anti-abuse legislation is being debated in city council -- Ravenstahl says activists have "chosen to take the public forum more so than the private one, through city council post-agendas and public hearings. And as a result of those public conversations, we haven't been able to meet privately." The hearings and debates, he says, have "slowed the process down unnecessarily."

"It's been up to the mayor's office to give us scheduling," counters Jeanne Clark, a member of the National Organization of Women who has been among the loudest voices calling for reform. "I can tell you that a member of the mayor's staff directly requested that any public action on this be delayed until after the election, and everyone involved refused. I think the mayor needs to look into the mirror for the scheduling problems."

Chris Potter even posts an audio clip of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's remarks on this issue.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Lukey originally meet only with women who he had appointed?

Then he was a no show for a City Council public meeting on the issue of his promotions of three police officers with histories of domestic abuse.

And, why did he not show up?

Because he was too busy rubbing shoulders at a $9,000.00 golf outing on UPMC's dime!

He even tried to claim that mayors never attend public hearings in City Council chambers until he was caught red-handed by a video clip of himself as a Councilman bitching about then Mayor Murphy's nonattendance at a public hearing.

He admits in the audio clip that it isn't like he's tried to contact the women's groups and they wouldn't take his calls.

Nope, Lil Mayor Luke just wanted it all hush-hushed until after the election.

And, some folks still question why I'm voting for Republican Mark DeSantis?!?

(Yes, I am quoted liberally throughout this City Paper article. Fire away!)
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Sierra Club has posted mayoral candidates' responses to questionnaire

You can see the questions and answers that our local Sierra Club asked Luke Ravenstahl and Mark DeSantis here (scroll down the page).

The Sierra Club is one of the oldest, largest and most influential environmental groups in the nation. It lobbies legislatures on behalf of the environment and helps to educate the public.
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Political Petition Taken Down at Police Headquarters

According to a WTAE TV news report this morning (no link yet) Police Chief Nate Harper had a petition taken down in Police headquarters which supported interim Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and disagreed with the FOP's endorsement of rival Mark DeSantis. (Early Returns noted that the city's Ethics Handbook states that all "city employees are prohibited from engaging in political activity during work hours and at all times in City offices.")

The petition had five signatures on it.

Impressive! [/snark]
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