The Vulnerable Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of Pittsburgh

Dear Sir,

I want to dedicate this one to you, your Vulnerableness.

From this day forward, I so move to no longer refer to you as "The Honorable", the title traditionally reserved for elected officials. I propose that the fine citizens of this city refer to you as "The Vulnerable", a much more appropriate title for the current mayor of this great city. Even though you are sitting on more cash than a Halliburton executive, you are vulnerable, sir. 

Over the last two years you have exhibited a uncanny ability to be equal parts imbecilic, arrogant and myopic. Sir, your leadership only serves the monied and powerful interests of this city, while masquerading as something fresh, new and innovative. There is nothing new about what is happening on Grant Street, 19th Century politically thuggery with a 21st century marketing machine. From the Regan Nomination, to the McNeilly Case, to the Snow Removal Crisis, to Lamar-Gate, to SUV-Gate, you have continued to raise the bar when comes to utter disregard for not only the public, but also for the office you hold. 

There have been too many stories of unreturned phone calls, drunken episodes at nightclubs and other indiscretions that have cheapened the position you were elected to. I only hope that someone can save this city before you send it to the same early grave your career is headed to.

Mr. Mayor, from this day forward all Pittsburghers shall refer to you as "The Vulnerable Luke Ravenstahl", a tribute to your morally bankrupt, spiritually empty and acutely unethical style of leadership, here's to you your Vulnerableness!

The Buzz is Building, let's Fire Luke! Hire Chelsa!

I had to step away from the 'Burghosphere because some of you smart folks were hot on my trail and I had to "cover my tracks" a bit. Nevertheless, Draft Chelsa 2009 appears to be causing quite a stir these days on Grant Street, in the press and apparently in Harrisburg too! The funny thing is I don't know Chelsa personally at all, though I have run into her at a few events here and there, and I came away quite impressed.

I have been hearing that many, many, many people are getting excited about a Wagner vs. Ravenstahl match up, including the Trib, the City Paper and even the Daily Kos. I'm close to a number of people in the Mayor's Mis-Administration and I do know the Dishonorable Luke Ravenstahl is very worried about her potential candidacy, especially his sweaty sidekick Yarone Zober. They should be, she trumps all the PR advantages he had in 2007, she's just as young, much cuter and truly brings a breath of fresh air to local government. People of Pittsburgh we can do this, let's fire Luke and hire Chelsa!

By the way, thanks to everyone for the support and the emails and PLEASE keep pushing Rep. Wagner to run.

FYI: If anyone has a non-government email for Rep. Wagner send it over so we can start filling her inbox with emails to encourage her to run.

Chelsa 1, Luke 0

Chelsa Wagner might already have a leg up on Mayor Luke. She made a smart strategic move by supporting Barack Obama in the April 22nd primary. That was a smart move for a couple of reasons.

1. The obvious: Barack won the nomination. While Luke and Dan were parading around with Hillary and the Governor, it looked real good. But the truth is all they were really doing was alienating themselves with the presumptive nominee. I can bet that Obama's camp will remember who was supportive early when it comes time to repay their friends ........ and their enemies.
   
2. Barack Obama won the city: Very handily that is, exposing a powerful potential coalition of Progressives, African-Americans and Young People. If a candidate can build a similar coalition they'll send Luke to early retirement and redraw the local electoral map.
3. Obama supporters: If Chelsa can translate that Obama support into Wagner support, she'll have a formidable base to build from. They could very well be appreciative for the early Obama support and jump on early in 2009.
   

So there you have it. Chelsa 1, Luke 0. If Obama wins in November the move could be worth two points, or more. Luke it's your move, but I imagine you are not much of a chess player.

Why Chelsa Wagner?

In the wake of Bill Peduto's announcement that he is not running for Mayor, all those who have Pittsburgh's best interests at heart must convince State Representative Chelsa Wagner to throw her hat in the ring for Mayor of Pittsburgh next year.


Why Chelsa?


Chelsa Wagner has the experience, integrity and commitment to lead our city to back to prosperity. She can bring new solutions to the old challenges we face. She can be our voice for new ideas to bring the change we need to end business as usual on Grant Street.


Chelsa Wagner has a no-nonsense approach to government that she developed during her experience as an attorney and professional consultant. She has consistently shown the integrity to make the tough decisions and choose the interests of her constituents over the broken politics of Grant Street.


Chelsa Wagner serves her community with respect, distinction and a sense of duty. She is proud to represent her community and the city of Pittsburgh. She carries the principles of hard work, honest and humility she learned growing up in the Beechview section of Pittsburgh.


Chelsa Wagner is the only candidate who can build a winning coalition of progressive, women, African-American, working class and young voters to end the disastrous Ravenstahl Administration. We owe it to the future of the city to draft Chelsa and begin a new chapter in the history of our great city.