CBS, Luke, and Bill

"We'll like drive through the city, through the tunnel, and I'll be like, 'You're in charge of all that?' It's crazy."

- Erin Ravenstahl, wife of Pittsburgh's 27-year-old mayor

In this instance, I have to agree with Erin.

As we noted on Friday, the "CBS Sunday Morning" news magazine show had a story today on "Pittsburgh's Great Young Hope" (obviously their title, not mine). The above quote was taken from it and is featured in their online article based on the broadcast.

As MacYapper promised, the show featured John McIntire, Pittsburgh Tribune Review columnist Joseph Mistick, and mayoral challenger Bill Peduto, in addition to Luke Ravenstahl and his wife.

While there were lots of nice shots of Ravenstahl walking through the city and shaking hands, try to find anything in the transcript about anything that Luke has actually done well so far.

It does have this to say, however about his opponent:

He faces a tough primary challenge this May, from the guy who used to be known as Pittsburgh's fresh young face, Bill Peduto, a councilman who's butted heads with colleagues over Pittsburgh's financial troubles.

"Two years ago, I ran for Mayor," Peduto said. "I was considered the fresh young face of city government, and they said I was too young to be elected as Mayor. In two years, I've become the city's elder statesman and now I'm too old."

Peduto says, despite the age difference, he's the true progressive candidate and has been endorsed by environmentalists and high-tech leaders. The race could be close, said Mistick.

"They're both smart. In terms of experience and technical knowledge, Bill Peduto is clearly head and shoulders above Luke Ravenstahl," he said. "Luke's not a policy wonk. He's not very experienced in the ways of government, or the world, at age 27, but he does have this image and the excitement he generates, and that's good for our city."

Yeah, Luke has a nice smile.

The show even gave Peduto a chance for some nice self-deprecating humor:

Even Peduto admits that he's not exciting. He's often compared to former Vice President, Al Gore, but he said "Al Gore has more charisma."

So what's it going to be Pittsburgh?

The guy that knows, "The meet, the greet, the listen, and the photo-op"? or the guy who's "clearly head and shoulders above" him?

The article I linked to is not a complete transcript because they ended with an older guy sitting in Primanti's giving the standard pro Luke cheer, "Give him a chance."

Of course anyone paying attention to Ravenstahl's undistinguished career on City Council and his numerous missteps as Mayor might want to respond with:

"He's had his chance and he's blown it."