Tony Norman's head and shoulders obstruct Tony Oliva, except his ear

From people & vips

Went to the debate tonight. Four candidates.

Well, I was there. I'm not going to Monday morning quarterback, just yet. I'd like to do so after the podcasts are live. That might be a few more minutes or months with the P-G multimedia gurus.

Tony Oliva, the Libertarian candidate, did well.

Luke was Luke. Mark DeSantis was okay. Those guys were as expected.

The highlight of the evening for me was meeting fellow blogger, Char. Seriously.

And, I got to tell Mr. Zober to check out Google Calendars.

The low light of the evening, sad to say, the Socialist Workers Party candidate. Wow. You know, if he would have given 10 or 15 second answers, he might have won the debate. After 20-seconds of talking his "persuasivenesses" was grossly marginalized. After he got into deeper into his replies, say :45 seconds, it became painful. Burning tires would have enhanced air quality.

Who is old enough to remember The Gong Show?

We, Libertarians, will have a table at the Thursday PUMP event

This Thursday night, PUMP is hosting a debate for two of the mayor candidates. The Libertarian, Tony Oliva, is being excluded. He won't be able to be on the debate stage because -- well -- I'll stop typing here.

So, as the vice-chair of the Allegheny County Libertarian Party, I've requested a table at the event. The request was approved.

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

Duquesne University’s A.J. Palumbo Center

PUMP Mayoral Candidates Forum

Co-sponsored by Pittsburgh City Paper, Comcast, Duquesne University & the Greater Pittsburgh Non-profit Partnership (GPNP)

Featuring two Mayoral Candidates and ignoring two other YOUNG candidates. This is a young person's group for goodness sake.

6:30 pm - 7:30pm (doors open at 6 pm)

Moderator: Tonia Caruso, from WQED’s OnQ & host of Comcast Newsmakers

Civic Engagement Fair & Reception to follow: 7:30 - 8:30pm

Confirmed Exhibitors

* PUMP
* Greater Pittsburgh Non profit Partnership (GPNP)
* Everybody VOTE
* Black Political Empowerment Project
* League of Young Voters
* Young Republicans & Young Democrats of Allegheny County
* PA Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy
* Coro Center for Civic Leadership
* People for the American Way
* www.influencegovernment.com

Come for the Candidate forum, stay to network! Representatives from organizations that focus on voter engagement and participation will be on hand to help you get information and to connect you to important issues facing our region. Candidates & Elected Officials welcome!

For more information, please contact Erin Molchany at erin@pump.org or 412.338.2133

Tony Oliva getting some air-time with PCTV 21 show

We don't yet know the dates and times of the show, but Tony Oliva, Libertarian, candidate for mayor, had a sit-down interview with Bruce Krane, show host, in the studios of PCTV21.

From people & vips

Bruce Krane, on the left (very far left), and Tony Oliva, Libertarian.

Welcome to the THIRD most influential political blog in Pennsylvania

I had been ranked as high as seventh. In the last period, the ranking here was eveventh. Falling out of the top 10 isn't so fun. But now -- the blog has hit its highest ever with influence.

Mike Tomlin is going to be seeking "running mate status."

That McBeam mascot is now considering a name change, as I have suggested in the past, to "McPipe." Then he'll rush to help fix water main breaks around the region. He's made an inquiry to find out when the plumbers union is starting its next round with apprentice training.

Bram of PghComment is even leaving me Comets in my front yard and posting his full agreement that getting the "L" candidate (Tony Oliva) and "S" candidate onto the ballot for Mayor, and onto the debate stage, is going to help advance the cause for making this a better region.

What's next -- a snowball effect in October?

Perhaps I'll get a cameo role in the Food Bank benefit on Thursday at the gig called "Blogged to Death?" In not, jelly rolls will do.

Stay tuned....

More Mark and Less Party -- More Marks & More Opposition

JSM ponders:

As Republican Mark DeSantis presses on in his race against incumbent Democrat mayor Luke Ravenstahl, he must be more DeSantis and less Republican. Since just the thought of voting for a Republican for mayor is anathema to many local Democrats, DeSantis would have been better positioned as an independent.

In some areas, party affiliation means little more than embracing a party of convenience. Often, success comes as a result of merely running as a Republican and not being a Republican. It is a critical distinction when Democrat support is essential to victory.

I've asked DeSantis to come clean on his R-ness. What kind of "R" is he, we all want to know.

I agree in large part. Some will NEVER vote for a "R" in these parts in these times. And, for good reason.

Did you notice in the two part article on the front of today's Tribune Review (great articles by David Brown) that a box that pointed out the other two on the ballot -- Tony Oliva, Liberatrian and the Socialist meatpacker -- was placed within the text of the article on Luke. That placement is so much as to say that they'll both be taking a bit out of Luke's territory.

I was very, very impressed with the Trib and the photo selections of both Luke and Mark. The photos were very well balanced. Both even had a US flag showing the background.

Way to go Dave Brown and Trib! Way to go.

I do think that Luke's vote total will be less because of the other two challengers, the L and the S. Some will want to vote and will NEVER vote for DeSantis. They can land in the L or S column. That takes away votes from Luke. Luke has not earned everyone's vote, that is for sure.

[412] This is NOT too much about me -- yet. Do you want to opt into the media list as well?

I sent out an email blast:

[412] This is NOT too much about me -- yet. Do you want to opt into the media list as well?

---

Hi All,

The political campaigns of 2007 and 2008 are starting.

I am on the ballot for the November 6, 2007, election, twice. Voters in the city of Pittsburgh will be able to vote for me for CONTROLLER. Furthermore, voters in Pittsburgh's city council district 3 can vote for me for CITY COUNCIL.

But today's email is more for others:
+ Ron Paul, R;
++ David Adams, Indie;
+++ David Schulenberg, Indie; and
++++ Tony Oliva, Libertarian.


+ Debates for the 2008 election are being held and Pittsburgh-born Doctor Ron Paul, http://www.RonPaul2008, is doing well. He is my favorite by far. This is the time to get to know Ron Paul because the primary election period is going to be here sooner than expected. Study Ron Paul and learn more about LIBERTARIAN solutions.

I worry about local elections slated for 2007 as debates are NOT being scheduled. NONE. Zippo. I'm blogging, of course, http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com. My campaign planks, web sites, CDs, phone calls, press releases, book and podcasts are going to replace the need for debates and media -- if you care to listen and engage. Expect more news from me soon.


++ On Friday (tomorrow), I'll stand with David Adams, candidate for city council, district 9.

Pgh City Paper article on David:
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A34679

Independent Candidate David Adams will formally announce his candidacy for the 9th district City Council seat on Friday September 7, 2007, at the Frick Park Entrance on Homewood Avenue, and Reynolds in the North Point Breeze community. The time of the event will be 12:30 P.M.

Adams will highlight the points of difference between what Ricky Burgess has presented as his plan, and the strategies Adams has envisioned, and is currently developing for the district, which Adams says will "change the way the 9th district does business as a community!"

The event will also include special guests, who are running for various positions in the November 6th election.

This event is open to the district residents, television, press and radio.

Adams sends a special invitation to candidate Ricky Burgess, in order to clarify any stated errors concerning his plan.


+++ David Schuilenberg is another independent candidate running for Pgh city council (district 1). I support him as he is much better than who is in office now.
http://206.130.100.156/wiki/index.php/David_Schuilenburg

A third David, David T, is running for Allegheny County Council's at large seat.


++++ Tony Oliva, Libertarian, is on the ballot for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh. He and I worked together to secure that ballot spot with my 'placeholder efforts.'

http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/search?q=tony+oliva


= = = = Opt In for More News = = = =

News and content about Pittsburgh and our issues is expected to snowball for the next couple of months. I've got a new media helper, Travis. I'm not going to flood this email list, http://Rauterkus.com/mailman/listinfo/412-public-campaign, with too much noise. I'm going to make another list.

If you'd like to get more news and insights about campaigns for public office, please send me an email: Mark@Rauterkus.com.

Thanks for listening and your ongoing comments.


Mark Rauterkus Mark@Rauterkus.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Libertarian Candidate for Pittsburgh Controller &
Libertarian Candidate for Pittsburgh City Council, district 3
Vote November 6, 2007

Tony for Mayor Blog

Tony Oliva, L, candidate for mayor, has opened a web site and blog.

Tony for Mayor The Time is Now"

The site is a free one hosted at GoDaddy.com.

http://tonyforpittsburgh.com/

Pitt News covers Tony Oliva and his race for mayor. Front page coverage

Pitt student in race for mayor - News: "Tony Oliva is a straight-shooter - a self-proclaimed non-politician. And he's running for mayor."

The news of the Libertarian was on the front page of The Pitt News today. The article gives some nice insights to Tony Oliva. He has plenty of good connections with Pitt.

The article includes a photo of Tony and a mention of myself.

Who among us have heard of ultimate frisbee?

The rest of the story:

Oliva, a 27-year-old Pitt student, is running on the Libertarian ballot on Nov. 6 against current Democratic mayor, Luke Ravenstahl, Republican candidate Mark DeSantis and Ryan Scott of the Socialist Worker's party. He replaced Libertarian Mark Rauterkus on the ticket.

In 1997, Oliva came to Pitt as a freshman football player. After a devastating car accident during his sophomore year, his injuries forced him to quit football and take time to heal. Now, he is back. He has replaced football with Ultimate Frisbee and is working on his second degree at Pitt.

"[The accident] really taught me the lesson that you can't just go through life thinking everything's going to be great," Oliva said. "You have to be ready to deal with and overcome adversity in any form."

In the wake of his injury, another tragedy struck. Sept. 11 inspired Oliva to join the army and become an airborne paratrooper.

But in 2003, Oliva made his way back to Pitt.

"I'm originally from New York, but something about Pittsburgh latched onto me, and I had no other desire to go anywhere else," he said.

This loyalty to Pittsburgh, coupled with Oliva's fatigue with the current status of the city, made him decide to run for mayor.

"We need some new ideas and new thinking because things are broken," Oliva said.

His Libertarian viewpoint gives tax cuts a significant position in his agenda - but Oliva is very specific about where he thinks Pittsburgh's money should be saved and where it should be spent.

"It's a party that wants to stay out of your pocketbook and out of your social life," said Oliva, who cites his inability to understand why the government keeps "needing money, but not changing anything."

"I like low taxes," he said. "I think that people can use their money in more productive ways than government can oftentimes."

Though an advocate for people controlling their own money, Oliva says he is opposed to cutting social programs - to an extent.

"A person may stumble or trip, and it's always good to have someone there," he said. "I just don't think we should carry someone for their whole life."

If elected mayor, Oliva pledges to make his priorities known. For example, he said that one of the ideas that had been run through Pittsburgh legislatures involved cutting funding for police and firefighting forces.

"Yes, the city could gain money," he said. "But it could also burn to the ground."

As a Pitt student, Oliva says he understands the post-graduation predicament that many face: stay or leave?

"Pittsburgh has become an old town," he said. "A large number of kids are forced to leave because it's not financially viable to stay in Pittsburgh."

His plan? To draw businesses back to Pittsburgh and jumpstart the flow of both jobs and money, thereby appealing to a younger generation. And again, this leads back to lowering taxes.

"We have driven small businesses out with high taxes," he said. "I want to draw them back so people can have opportunities to work in good, well-paying jobs."

And on the other end of the spectrum, Oliva also wants to appeal to the younger demographic by proposing an ordinance to keep bars open until 4 a.m. on weekend nights.

Oliva sees his age and his student status as a way of relating to the voters.

"I want people to see in me what they would always hope to see in their political leaders - not what they do see, what they hope to see," he said.

And if students see something they like in Oliva, he hopes they won't conform to the apathetic stereotype of a college student that "the old parties," as he calls the Democrats and Republicans brand them with.

"This isn't a national election," Oliva said. "Students have the power to change the face of the city, the face of politics. Hope comes with change."

Libertarian runs for mayor in Pittsburgh, a political novice to the ballot

by Harold Kyriazi with slight edits by the webmaster

On July 23rd, eight days before the ballot access petitioning deadline, Allegheny County LP officials were contacted by an unknown fellow wishing to run for mayor as a Libertarian, named Tony Oliva. (Older baseball fans may recognize that name as an all-star player from the 1960s and 1970s, but alas, there’s no connection.) His introductory letter to us indicated that he was naïve (27 years old, a political unknown, and imagining an upset victory), but someone with potential. He wrote that he was a military veteran, a University of Pittsburgh graduate with a degree in Political Science, a Pittsburgh resident with extensive community ties, currently employed in the city’s Office of Public Safety, and a member of the Libertarian Party.

After thus reassuring ourselves that he wasn’t crazy or mentally incompetent (for years I’ve felt badly that none of us activists here wished to embark upon that particular quixotic quest), we tried to find out more about him. Coincidentally, at the same time a co-worker of mine (who of course knows I’m a libertarian) mentioned to me that one of his former rock climbing students was running for mayor and had hit him up for a petition signature. They both happened to be paratroopers in the Army, and my coworker said he was a good guy and intelligent. It was thus nice to get some independent verification, and also to know that he was already out collecting signatures.

Within two hours of Tony emailing his letter expressing an intention to run for mayor, Tony was handed several clipboards and forms (third party nomination papers) from Allegheny County's highly energetic vice-chair, Mark Rauterkus. For months similar papers had been circulating with political body, Libertarian, and with Rauterkus occupying spots, including that of mayor, as a place-holder candidate.

That’s one of the new and exciting trends about libertarianism these days: we don’t have to go out and find people, and educate them about libertarianism – now young people find us via the internet. We don’t have to teach them much of the philosophy – they’re usually already thoroughly grounded by their readings on the web. A new day is dawning and there is hope. (Go Ron Paul!)

I corresponded by e-mail with Mr. Oliva during that final week, and despite my vow a few years ago to limit my libertarian activities, I spent a few hours collecting signatures, solicited another few from my brother. Tony and I badgered neighbors, and put some energy into the last days. “It’s harder than I thought it’d be!” expressed a few friends who turned up empty.

Mr. Oliva worked hard for sis days, collecting about 115 signatures each day and getting 700. More than 805 were needed. With his total and what everyone else collected, the Libertarians turned in plenty of signatures to clear the hurdle for the election department and challenges.

After the horrendous experience of minor parties statewide last year, I was very worried that the Republican would challenge. But for whatever reason, he didn’t. Subsequently Mark and Tony filed the necessary papers to conduct the switch of their names.

I’m happy to report that we now have three spots on the city ballot: Tony Oliva for mayor, and Mark Rauterkus for both city council and city controller.

My impression of Mr. Oliva, starting from e-mail exchanges, is clear. I can confidently state that he is a competent writer. We also spoke by phone, and then face-to-face. Based on those encounters and positive reports after a WDUQ radio interview, I can also state that he’s a competent speaker.

From people & vips

Some did question why the Libertarians should run someone for mayor. It is entirely possible that the Republican was already fairly libertarian and he could have a better chance of winning than we did. We could thus be hurting ourselves by splitting our vote.

Mark Rauterkus informed me on the Republican candidate, Mark DeSantis. We checked out his website. Nick spoke with someone in his office. It turns out that DeSantis is a serious candidate with typical Republican economic concerns, such as lowering taxes and increasing government efficiency, but one whose position on social issues is difficult to gauge.

We discussed the obvious -- how a libertarian mayor could instruct the city police to make consensual crimes their lowest priority, but we didn’t know Mr. Oliva’s thoughts on that score. Assuming the best, Mark Rauterkus suggested that if vote-splitting turned out to be a legitimate concern, we could always make a splash by withdrawing a few weeks before the election and asking our supporters to vote for DeSantis. That was enough to drive to do the last-minute petitioning for signatures.

Tony and I sat down to lunch last in order for me to get to know him better for this article, to discuss some of these issues, and also to give him any benefit of my political experience.

Mr. Oliva is a handsome, athletic-looking young man, with the attentive and easy, straight-forward manner that seems appropriate for someone with military experience. He still serves with the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Interesting to me as a former diehard Pitt football fan, Tony came to Pittsburgh from New York City (the Bronx) on a football scholarship from Pitt’s legendary coach Johnny Majors. Fortunately, he left any New York accent behind. In fact, Tony was Majors’ last recruit at Pitt, being recruited in 1996, shortly before Majors was fired. Oliva started at Pitt in 1997 under new head coach Walt Harris, as a 175-pound defensive back with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. That’s considered a fast time. He was red-shirted his freshman year, and expected to bulk up.

In the off-season, unfortunately, while crossing the street he got hit by a car, and received career-ending damage to a knee. Being the thoughtful, independent-minded young man that he is, he refused surgery that he felt might predispose him to premature arthritis, and opted instead for rehab and more natural, alternative medical approaches.

He stayed on at Pitt, getting a degree in Political Science, and rehabilitated his knee enough to play Ultimate Frisbee for the Pitt men’s team, making nationals for three years.

After graduating, he joined the military. As a paratrooper, he suffered another severe injury, being accidentally “sharked” by a fellow jumper. That’s where another jumper cuts under you as you’re approaching the ground, taking away your air and collapsing your chute, whereupon you fall rapidly, as though a shark has just attacked and pulled you under the water. That fall resulted in a severe shoulder dislocation and accompanying nerve trauma, and left him unable to raise his left arm above shoulder level.

He’s still able to enjoy tennis and other sports, though, and comes from a very athletic family. His brother played football and baseball in college, and his sister was a standout basketball and softball player in high school. His brother is also into NY politics, having been a speech writer for George Pataki, district chief of staff for a U.S. congressmen, and director of communications for a state minority leader.

Mr. Oliva is personable and has many friends here who have offered to help him in various ways with his campaign. Unfortunately perhaps, he is naïve enough to think he has a chance to defeat Luke Ravenstahl, the incumbent democrat and another 27-year-old. Ravenstahl won an election to city council before taking over as mayor when the recently elected then-mayor Bob O’Connor died last year.

Mr. Oliva may be correct in thinking he has the advantage of his libertarian philosophy and exceptional interpersonal skills, but being a political unknown, all the money in the world can’t buy him the trust of Pittsburgh voters, 80% of whom are registered Democrat.

The best he can hope for, in my view, is to run a positive, issue-oriented campaign, impress the people he interacts with, inject some libertarian solutions into the debate (and into the minds of Ravenstahl and his aides and advisors), and pave the way for a run for another race down the road.

Some will suggest that he switch parties to Democrat and starting off as a ward committeeman, rather than thinking he can leapfrog all the way into the Mayor’s office.

Libertarians can certainly win office when they live in small communities where they can personally meet all the voters, effectively negating the negative connotations of a minor party label. But people with a strong desire to actually serve in office in a large district, where they simply cannot personally contact a significant fraction of voters, need to be real, and follow the example of people like Ron Paul. The rest of us can work within the Libertarian Party to educate the electorate, and possibly level the playing field a bit by getting more people to register as Libertarians, so that eventually we’ll have a reasonable chance at winning a major city election.

The baseball Tony Oliva was the 1964 rookie of the year in the American League. Let’s try to see to it that our Tony Oliva develops into a Libertarian Party All-Star.

Trib Brief: Fourth Candidate Enters Race for Mayor

Briefs: Motorcycle hits tree in Mt. Oliver, victim found nearby - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Oakland Fourth candidate enters race for mayor An Oakland man filed paperwork to run for Pittsburgh mayor as a Libertarian, which makes four candidates for the city's top office. Tony Oliva, 27, filed Thursday to be a replacement candidate for Libertarian Mark Rauterkus, who withdrew from the mayor's race Wednesday. Rauterkus is running as a Libertarian for City Council in District 3 and for city controller. Democratic Mayor Luke Ravenstahl also faces Republican Mark DeSantis and Socialist Workers Party candidate Ryan Scott in the Nov. 6 election.

Libertarian mayoral candidate drops out, gives place to another

Libertarian mayoral candidate drops out, gives place to another Libertarian mayoral candidate drops out, gives place to another

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH -- The Libertarian Party candidate for mayor said he will withdraw from the race and pass his slot on the ballot to another candidate. Mark Rauterkus said he will, however, continue to run for city controller and council, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on its Web site Wednesday. Public safety worker Tony Oliva, 27, said he will take the ballot position for mayor Rauterkus had secured.

---

Same news in Philly:

Libertarian mayoral candidate drops out, gives place to another | AP | 08/08/2007 Libertarian mayoral candidate drops out, gives place to another

---

The Trib got this blurb into the paper as we pushed the paperwork around town and the election department:

Oakland Libertarian files for mayoral run - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Oakland Libertarian files for mayoral run

Libertarian candidates in Pennsylvania for 2007's general election

Candidates in 2007 from Pennsylvania:

D. Michael Blackie for Philadelphia City Council

James Babb for Council of Censors, Montgomery County

James Babb for Montgomery County Sheriff

Erik Viker for Selinsgrove Borough Council, Snyder County – ON BALLOT

Mik Robertson for Clarion County Commissioner – ON BALLOT

Berlie Etzel for Clarion County Register and Recorder – ON BALLOT

Myron Deitrick for Mayor of Avis Borough, Clinton County – ON BALLOT & incumbent

Vance Mays for Venango County Commissioner – ON BALLOT

Mary Lea Lucas for Strattenville Borough Council, Clarion County – ON BALLOT

Tony Oliva for Mayor of Pittsburgh – ON BALLOT

Mark Rauterkus for Controller, Pittsburgh, – ON BALLOT

Mark Rauterkus for Pittsburgh City Council, 3rd District – ON BALLOT

---

The Libertarians did have some candidates not get onto the ballot. These individuals either did not request assistance and/or did not respond to contacts. There were also a couple of late candidate inquiries. One late candidate effort was Chris Bectloff in Lancaster County. The PA Chair was not able to get an update, yet.

Tony Oliva in Pittsburgh worked with the Allegheny County organization. They responded incredibly well to support Tony when they became aware of his desire to be a candidate. The Libertarians throughout Pennsylvania need to find a way to consistently help candidates along and make sure they can submit the paperwork needed to get on the ballot. Local organizations are key to making this work.

Libertarian withdraws from mayoral race

The paperwork to pull out of the mayor's race was turned into the Election Department. It has been one of my stated intentions to serve in the role as a placeholder because the election laws are so ugly in terms of getting third party candidates onto the ballot.

Libertarian withdraws from mayoral race: "Libertarian Party standard-bearer Mark Rauterkus said today that he will withdraw from the mayor's race and seek to pass his position on the ballot to Tony Oliva, 27, of Oakland.

Mr. Rauterkus said he will continue to run for city controller and council."

I just gave an interview to KQV radio (aired at 1:30 pm) and WDUQ radio.