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?

Mayoral Debate, live at the JCC

ONLY Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Mark DeSantis -- with the Libertarian, Tony Oliva left out in the cold.

When: Sunday, October 28

Time: 10:30- 11:30 am. Televised live on WPXI

Where: JCC, Katz Theater, 5738 Darlington Road

RSVP: Call 412-992-5251 or visit http://pittsburgh.planitjewish.com
Admission: No charge

Seating: Seating will take place between 9-10 am
There will be no admittance to the auditorium after 10:00 am

Questions go to: 412 992 5243

QED to hold late debate

My rely to QED follows this email.

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 wqed.org
Debate panelists: Michael Bartley, Chris Moore and Tonia Caruso

George Hazimanolis
Senior Director of Corporate Communications
WQED Pittsburgh
4802 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
ghaziman@wqed.org
412-622-1366
412-622-6413 FAX
www.wqed.org

WQED Pittsburgh: Winner, 2007 and 2006 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Station Excellence

"WQED changes lives."

Thanks for the mayor's debate efforts.

I wish the Libertarian and Socialist were included. I understand that these guys (Tony Oliva and Ryan Scott) are NOT going to win. However, we all are less and the region goes deeper into the despair when the elites exclude. When they are not free to join on the debate stage, the young depart the region.

Their inclusion isn't for this election on Nov 6. But, they need to be included for the future elections and the recruitment of new candidates in the years to come.

You need to think bigger and into the future.

We can't count on QED. That's very sad. That's not in line with the charter of public broadcasting.

My polls (with thousands of calls to city residents) say that more than 75% of the voters today are UNDECIDED about the controller's race. Meanwhile, six to seven percent of the voters are still undecided about the mayor's race.

You mayor's debate is nearly meaningless even for Ravenstahl and DeSantis. Furthermore it is like poison to the common ground of democracy for the third party candidates and independents.

If you really wanted to help -- you'd scratch the debate as you have planned and hold a different debate among the controller's candidates. Ask the mayor candidates to attend and ask the questions (being on the panel) to Michael Lamb and myself.

Can you forward this to J. I have little faith that she'll return my call.

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.

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

Where is the Mark DeSantis Micro Credit?

In 2007, Mark DeSantis ran for mayor after getting on the ballot as a write in candidate in a R party primary that was void of a candidate.

In his run, he promised he'd start a "Micro Credit" in the next year -- win or not. Well, it is now time to wonder what became of the candidate promise as 2008 is about to close.

In other news, the Trib is begging Mark DeSantis to run for mayor again.

And, Bram is going to be on the PRR radio show on Monday. Perhaps Bram can take the question to DeSantis -- or else he might be able to fill me in on this blog comments.

He might have started a Micro Credit -- and I just didn't notice. Or, he might have talked about it on one of the past radio shows. Let me know where to investigate those archives, as in the date. I'll listen to the MP3 via TalkShoe.com.

The last thing Pittsburgh needs is more political hot air and promise makers on its campaign trails. Pittsburgh needs less in terms of 'idea factory' and more in terms of 'idea distillery.'



Photo shows Mark DeSantis, far left, Tony Oliva, Luke Ravenstahl and Ryan of the S party, at a Mayor Candidates Forum hosted by the Post Gazette. With all the cuts at the P-G, I wonder if such events will be hosted in 2009? This was a most welcomed, yet very rare event anyway.

Early Returns covered my polling release from Friday. Only noticed today

Post-Gazette NOW - Local News - Early Returns: "In the absence of other polls ... Both Mr. Ravenstahl's and Mr. DeSantis' camps have kept their polling under wraps. No credible independent poll has been conducted. That has spawned no end of chatter about who has what data and why they're hiding it.

So into the breach steps Mr. Rauterkus, who is running for not just council, but also city controller.

Mr. Rauterkus, a swim coach and repeat candidate who is a beacon of openness in a stormy sea of campaign secrecy, said his automated phone poll gleaned 715 respondents.

He e-mailed us to let us know that 63 percent of respondents favored Mr. Ravenstahl, versus 21 percent for Mr. DeSantis, 3 percent for Libertarian Tony Oliva, and 1 percent for Socialist Ryan Scott. Combined, 'unsure' and 'not telling' polled 18 percent.

In his own controller's race, Mr. Rauterkus reported that he was trailing Democrat Michael Lamb 52 percent to 10 percent, but noted that the 38 percent who were undecided put him within striking distance, if he can win them all and then some.

Early Returns cautions that Mr. Rauterkus isn't a professional pollster, and didn't calculate a margin of error. That said, for his take on the numbers, go here and scroll down to his Friday posting.

Hey Rich Lord.... There is NO MARGIN OF ERROR. I got it on the nose. Right on the money.

I said Luke would get between 63 and 65%. That is just what he got.

I said that I was at 10%. That is just what I got.

I could NOT have been more exact.

On election day there are NO undecided. And, EVERYONE is in the "I'm NOT TELLING" mode with the secret ballot. In the polling, they had to tell me.

I may not be a professional pollster -- but -- as a hobby, I'm better than everything and anything you've got. And I'm better than everything and anything out there, period.

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.

P-G coverage: Running is all uphill for Pittsburgh's 3rd-party candidates

Running is all uphill for Pittsburgh's 3rd-party candidates: "Running is all uphill for Pittsburgh's 3rd-party candidates CAMPAIGN 2007 Monday, October 15, 2007 By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette David Adams has put up wanted posters accusing his electoral opponent of ducking debates.

Mark Rauterkus has filed ethics complaints against rivals.

We made the news today, oh boy.

There are a few points to make about the article, reposted here with comments throughout.

For voters, the Dave S, Dave A, Mark R, Mark R, Mark D makes for an interesting 'ticket.' There are only two names one needs to remember. I've been working with Dave A and Dave S on a regular basis. We're on the same page. I'm a team builder.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have never been cooperative -- even when I ran for Mayor as a Republican because I hated what Tom Murphy was doing to our city. By the way, my experience with the issues and throughout the years as a vigilant watchdog was overlooked.

David Schuilenburg has a Web site that includes a "Darlene Watch" listing what he views as his incumbent foe's missteps.

They're Pittsburgh's political insurgents, carrying third-party banners in uphill battles, hoping that unusual tactics and an unsettled climate yield Nov. 6 upsets. With no Republicans running for any city office other than mayor, they are the alternatives to the long-reigning Democrats.

I'm able to carry a third party banner, the LIBERTARIAN BANNER. Tony Oliva joins me in that effort. We have three slots for Libertarians. Dave S and Dave A are hardly holding a 3rd party banner. Dave A is 'no party.' Dave S is something like 'reform Democrat' or 'new Democrat' or 'Independent Democrat.'

To lump us all together under the "party banner" tag is a little weak. "Don't Put Me -- or US -- in a BOX." I tried to get them to join me in running as a "Libertarian" -- but each declined. They knew that goofy reporting would be forthcoming.

And they're eternal optimists.

Guilty. Furthermore, I think we are 'idealists' and mostly optimists who have faith in our fellow citizens and voters.

Only those who think that they can change the world are the ones who do change the world. Those that think make the first step. But we who think and have the energy of action are the real change agents. One needs to be an optimist to run for public office. One needs to be an optimist to stand and fight. One needs to be an optimist to live in the city, especially with a family.

By the way, I've helped to change the city in a number of ways. We have won some battles. We have turned the tide in some domains. I am optimistic that my involvement has made Pittsburgh a better city and region.

"If I can get 1,500 kids to come out to vote, I'll win this election," said Mr. Adams, the independent candidate for the seat being vacated by Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle.

Mr. Adams, 49, of East Hills, faces the Rev. Ricky Burgess, who won the Democratic primary in May.

Mr. Adams has tried to paint Mr. Burgess, 50, of North Point Breeze, as a pawn of outside interests and white gentrifiers. Both men are African-American.

"Mr. Burgess has the idea that other people can solve our problems," Mr. Adams said. "There's a plan to take over the 9th District, to push us out."

The Democrat has countered that his opponent is too polarizing.

"This district is not an African-American district," said Mr. Burgess. "This is a peoples' district. ... You want to bring more people into the district, not just black people."

Something further from the truth has never been said about David C. Adams -- and it figures it would come from a challenger like Burgess. Mr. Burgess is using double-speak. But, he won't show up for a debate. Mr. Burgess tells the Post-Gazette editorial board one thing. Yet, he tells neighborhood groups another.

Both say crime is the key issue in the district, which covers the city's northeast corner.

Mr. Burgess would use crime data to identify areas to be targeted with police activity and social services, the effort advised by churches serving as the "liaison between the police and the community. ... We don't want tanks and militia indiscriminately coming down the streets."

He wants to fight crime while encouraging job development and housing construction.

Not really. Burgess is talking about using POLICE RAIDS. The talk we given witness too from Burgess about crime is alarming.

Mr. Adams said before any new development or housing push starts, crime has to be cut by 40 percent. He wants teams of "surveyors" to canvass every city neighborhood identifying their needs, followed by police cooperation with five-person community advisory committees to craft action plans.

His proposal calls for effective social service programs to be advertised in a resource guide, offenders to be given second chances and efforts to promote healthy living.

Exactly. David Adams is pushing for and PULLING for real community driven interactions with the police. This is what it is going to take. The people have to get involved, and they need to trust those in charge. They will be able to know that Dave C. Adams is with them, for them and going to stand tall to the troubles, both within the force and within the streets.

David's approach is thought out. It is calculated. It is full of hard work. It is necessary. And, above all, it is a plan of change that cuts the the root issue. The cancer there now is the disengaged citizens. "Snitching" is negative. That has to change.

Mr. Rauterkus, a 48-year-old volunteer swim coach from the South Side, is running for both City Council and controller as a Libertarian.

I'm a volunteer who has been a paid coach. Rich Lord took a cheap shot there. "Rauterkus is a professional swim coach that also volunteers to lead his son's school swim team." We had practice last night (Sundays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm) with 19 kids at the Oliver Bath House. I've stepped away from coaching this fall to run full-time campaigns. In September I was offered another job with another team to return to the day-to-day coaching.

The repeat candidate faces two Democrats, Allegheny County Prothonotary Michael Lamb in the controller's race and interior designer Bruce Kraus in the council race to represent the South Side, nearby hilltop neighborhoods and parts of Oakland.

Now the P-G calls me a repeat candidate. Both my opponents are 'repeat candidates.' I ran for mayor, so did Lamb. I ran for city council, so did Kraus. Wonder if Kraus is a 'volunteer painter' when he covers graffiti.

One does what one is called to do in life. Kraus does wallpaper and paints. That makes him good at painting, rose colored glasses optional. I work with kids. I'm called to recreational leadership and to volunteer as a coach. Voters get to choose.

Meanwhile, Lamb is a gentle bureaucrat from the dominant party. He'll be happy to have others on the Ethics Hearing Board tell him what is right and wrong. He'll be happy to report to the party bosses or foundation wire pullers as to what to do, who to hire, and when to make waves -- or not. I think we need someone in city hall where citizens can get a grip on this town's policies. We need a controller who cares about PERFORMANCE.

Though neither Mr. Lamb nor Mr. Kraus is a city employee yet, Mr. Rauterkus has filed complaints against both with the Ethics Hearing Board, which is empowered to review actions of city officials and workers. Both say the complaints are groundless.

Mr. Rauterkus accuses Mr. Lamb of a conflict of interest by being involved in the A+ Schools reform group while running for a post that oversees city and school district finances.

"If I'm fortunate enough to win this election, I plan to seek the advice and opinion of the Ethics Hearing Board on what a conflict is and isn't," Mr. Lamb said. He'll resign from any board that conflicts with his office, he said.

Mr. Rauterkus complains that Mr. Kraus has tried to keep current Councilman Jeff Koch, who lost the Democratic primary, from getting another city job.

Mr. Kraus called that "rumor and innuendo," and said he hopes Mr. Koch gets "any job he is qualified for, for as long as he chooses to work."

Rich Lord must be upset at the editor's editing of this section. I know he'd never do such a hatchet job with gross omissions. I put THREE complaints to the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board.

The main target was the Ethics Hearing Board itself. They are the most unethical with the confidentiality aspects and damages that can be delivered against citizens that have the courage to raise a complaint.

My complaints have now come into view with the board. They gave fleeting mention of how the code needs to be overhauled and the confidentiality elements need examination.

Without the other examples where Kraus and Lamb were targets, my compaints could have been knocked out without the necessary 'standing.' More needs to be done with ethics in the city. I have the mindset and capacity to stand and fight. Others told me that the Ethics Hearing Board was a joke. I have to agree. But, to let the joke linger without pushing it into a serious discussion would be equally troubling.

The complaints I filed are clearly visible at http://Elect.Rauterkus.com/ethics. However, the coverage from the Post-Gazette only went into the P-G blog, Early Returns, not into the newspaper. The City Paper covered the story. (add links)

As to the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board scope, I feel that it needs to be willing to examine cases that deal with candidates, not only employees. Candidates and campaigns are perhaps the one area where the most mud and trouble unfolds. And, it is the one place where voters have the upper hand to oust bad politicians and parties. If the Ethics Hearing Board only has a mandate to focus on employees, then it is only a puppet of the regime in power, not the people.

The Ethics Hearing Board needs to be 'proactive' and not only 'reactive.' Heck, the golf saga with Luke Ravenstahl won't be settled until the first of the year. If two days of golf tie up the Ethics Hearing Board for more than six months, how responsive can they be with more pressing issues. We can't lead by only looking into the rear view mirror. We need to move the city 'forward' -- so to speak. Let's not make 'ethics' and 'end of the day' experience. We need to consider ethics in real time: morning, noon and night. We need ethical discussions to dive into the future as well as the past.

I want a city that can be 'proactive.' Watchdogs are proactive tools. A controller can be 'proactive.' We need to get a grip on this city in proactive ways -- before the assets are torn down, before the money is spent, before the kids are shot, before the jails are overcrowded, before our vets return home from Iraq to rehab.

Mr. Rauterkus' primary platform plank is improving parks and youth programs. He wants to create a new city-county parks district, with elected trustees who would take parks leadership "off of Grant Street."

"What works for me is freedom and liberties," he said. That means no subsidies for skyscrapers or home rehabilitations, a return to the city's pre-2001 system of taxing land at a higher rate than buildings and no security camera systems in neighborhoods.

The "home rehab" quote isn't 100% complete. I say that we should not do tax breaks for home fix-ups in certain neighborhoods and not others. No unfair, special interest tax breaks. However, the policy that I advocate, the land tax, is all about a city-wide home rehab tax break. Everyone gets a tax break for fixing up their properties when the taxes are only calculated upon the land. I don't want to tax the buildings. I only want to tax the land. That is the direction we should go and return to.

If one has a house and adds an addition, a sun-room, a new deck, a new porch -- whatever -- great. They'd get a tax break under my plan. The home owners who fix up properties under today's plan get punished with higher taxes. That's wrong.

The land tax is all about home rehabilitations for everyone, including tax breaks. The taxes stay the same because the land hasn't changed.

Furthermore, I'm not saying 'no security cameras in neighborhoods.' I'm saying that we need security cameras. However, I want to point all the security cameras at the politicians, public meetings, treasury, police, public works employees and all authorities. We'll need a lot of cameras to cover that. We've got to get away from the back-room deals. We need to cut through the 'smoky city' legacy. Then, after all the government elements are fully monitored, then let's talk about pointing cameras at citizens.

"If all of the cameras that arrive in town are pointed at the public officials, as well as the public treasury, then I would welcome them," he said.

Like other third-party candidates, he's running on the cheap.

Cheap. Yeah, right. Cheap shot. I'm prudent. I'm not going to run a campaign that costs lots of money and racks up a lot of debt. Likewise, I'm not going to govern in a way that generates debt and costly spending.

I'm running a campaign that is visible. I'm hyper in my presence and willingness to debate. I'm able to leverage the internet for outreach and to sustain discussions. I'm not hunkered down doing as little as possible such as my opponents -- and Ricky Burgess.

He's a regular speaker during council's televised public comment periods, an Internet blogger and a dogged distributor of campaign DVDs that, he said, cost him around 23 cents each.

I also speak to county council, state hearings, Pgh Ethics Hearing Board (not on TV), unions that will have me, and other community meetings -- not on tv.

Mr. Schuilenburg, 34, of Summer Hill, is a city 911 dispatcher trying to unseat Councilwoman Darlene Harris, who won the seat in a special election a year ago. He finished sixth in that race, and is again running as an independent.

His Web site promises detailed plans on attracting homeowners, combatting crime, reforming government and encouraging development, but details were not posted by Friday.

His campaign seems focused on painting Ms. Harris, a former school board member and longtime Democratic Committee ward chairwoman, as old school. His Web site proclaims that "the status quo will no longer be tolerated by citizens, and change to what has become the norm in [traditional] leadership in the City-County Building is now desired."

Go, Dave, Go!

From people & vips

The insurgents see hope in May's primary election, which saw three incumbents losing Democratic primaries. If that tumult continues, it will be the unexpected result of unusual tactics.

Unusual tactics -- give me a break. Well, I guess it is 'unusual' to stand tall, to be so confident because the others are so weak at heart and mind, and to champion citizen candidates working for everyday opportunities.

Rich Lord can be reached at rlord@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1542.

At least the article didn't have a mention of the other 'third party candidate' seeking to win a seat on Allegheny County Council, David Tessitor. He is another Dave. He is NOT a member of either the D or R party. It will be interesting to see if he gets any coverage for that at-large seat on Allegheny County Council.

	Click image for a larger view.
From Mark Rauterkus

Big dead line and anniversary

Today is the day that people from outside of the D and R political parties must complete the delivery of nomination papers to get onto the November ballot. So, the final signatures and sheets from Kevin Acklin and Dok Harris are due -- signed, sealed and delivered.

There are always a few folks we come to meet on this day. Is there going to be a candidate from the Socialist Party? Remember Frank?

Tomorrow starts the period where political operatives begin to search in earnest for the dead people who have been known to sign those papers. Challenges may or may not appear for the mayor's opponents. In general, Luke's camp is going to be happy to have two opponents so knocking one or the other out of the race would be a dangerous move. To focus the ABY (anyone but Luke) vote in one category is a tiny fear.

The real fear of politicians is not something that ever appears on the ballots in Pennsylvania and one that should be part of every election: NOTA (None of the above). All elections should have a choice called, 'none of the above.' That way the ones who are unhappy with the state of affairs in that specific race could raise their outrage without lifting a brick, fist or worse.

And, frankly, it is too much work to run for office yourself to make a point. Rather, the point of 'none of the above' should be handy for us all to make on election days.

Two years ago, an ex Division I football player, a former service man who had jumped out of airplanes, Pitt student, and Libertarian, Tony Oliva, filed papers to appear on the ballot for mayor. He had worked throughout the summer to get a bulk of the signatures.

That year, 2007, I ran for public office too -- for both city council and city controller.

Mark DeSantis got onto the ballot in 2007 with a write in campaign among Rs in the primary. In 2009, Luke Ravenstahl won the R primary, blocking any possible charge from another via that avenue.

In 2008, we were packing to head to Beijing, China, to enjoy the Olympics. It was a quiet election cycle for me as Obama was pounding on McCain and my guy was Ron Paul, R from Texas. He was out by then, just holding a counter convention in Minnesota, larger than what the GOP was able to stage.

In 2006, I filed papers to run for State Senate, district 42 against Wayne Fontana. Before the judge in Harrisburg, on the day before I went to Canada to coach a swim camp, I put into the public record the fact that my challenge of campaign nomination papers came from the office of my state senator. Political work had been done in the public office to eliminate any and all opponents from the ballot. The judge found it interesting that the fax header of papers delivered to me had both law office stationary and the faxing fingerprints of PA Senate District 42's Harrisburg name and number clearly at the top of the pages of one of the summons that called for me to appear in court.

Later, we'd see lots of folks in Harrisburg get arrested for miss-use of staffers. Bonus-gate.

At the same time, PA's Green Party candidate for Governor was racking up legal bills and court charges so he could appear on the ballot. He was hit with charges from the judges / courts for hundreds of thousands of dollars. And, the case went to the top court of Pennsylvania as well.

I knew when to fold em, as the country and western song lyrics go.

In 2009, something might happen soon. But not with me in terms of election day participation. For me, I looking to make some swimmers and water polo player and open a new front in the battle against couch potatoes and obesity.

Doing the unthinkable -- Some South Siders go to out and vote twice

They get to vote twice, for me, legally.

I'll vote twice for me too.

This way I'm not quite the lone wolf that I used to be.

Plus, there are other buddies too. One, an ex-paratrooper, Tony Oliva, Libertarian, a former D1 (NCAA Division I) footballer. And the other candidate buddies both named Dave . Think David and Goliath. One Dave is an ex-marine and the other Dave is a 911 operator. So, I'm in good company. The third Dave, David Tessitor, is at-large and all over the map, generally. Standing next to him makes me look focused.

Let's vote. Let's keep democracy alive. Let's elect people who understand the constitution while possessing a long view so that the kids here have hope for our shared political landscape for the years to come. And there is very little hope when little ones play around in the dirt that reeks of lead poison while others in power just hunker down -- too busy to notify anyone and communicate.

Kraus, Lamb, Harris did little in this campaign. They were hunkered down. I have great faith that they'll do the same in office. Meanwhile, the kids are weaker. The future is more bleak.

Hats off to Luke Ravenstahl for coming out to debate, some. Too bad Luke is responsible for doing nothing else and lack of notifications on the dangerous playground conditions for months. Luke came out to debate, and he survived. Lucky for him.

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....

Tonight's debate: Tony Oliva, Libertarian, serves up a great opening food joke. Best line of the night.

Lots of people in Pittsburgh are going to have egg on their faces.

You had to be there.

Meanwhile in all the statements at the debate, mainly by the old-party Dem and old-party Republican, I didn't hear the word "kids" nor "freedom" nor "liberty" once.

In another blog I post:

The overlords suck. The overlords don't present anything of merit to hang one's hat upon for long term vision.

What is "progressive" and what counts as "real reform" needs to be understood, talked about and more. Sadly, when some are excluded -- not INCLUDED -- we many never hear the full story.

Harrisburg isn't going to bail out Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh must save itself. We must pull our own weight.

The R politicians who serve in Harrisburg, such as Jane Orie and Mike Turzai are not the ones who put the city in its ugly position. And, I have no faith that they will help do anything positive either. Like the overlords, the state reps and state senators are nearly worthless. There is no hope with them.

We are own our own. That is the progressive way. That is what we must do. That is real reform.

Be prudent. Be free. Pull YOUR OWN WEIGHT, Pittsburgh. Grow our way out of this mess by parenting our kids and making them the strongest generation ever -- able to compete with anyone.

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.

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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

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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