Monday: The Dowd Method

First there was the endorsement:

His optimistic campaign is driven by an ambitious agenda for the city. Mr. Dowd, 41, of Highland Park believes city government must deliver the best service at the lowest cost and must do so away from the reach of cronyism and friendly side deals. (P-G, Edit Board)

And now today comes the biography:

"Recently I've gotten a feeling that you are on your way to the next office," a woman told him at a recent candidates' forum in Stanton Heights.

"This will probably be the last office I ever run for," Mr. Dowd responded earnestly.

Later, over coffee at Kiva Han in Oakland, he reiterated that he had to run for mayor because no one else would. Someone, he argued, needed to challenge an administration that he believes engages in pay-to-play politics, rewarding big contributors with contracts and favorable regulatory rulings. (P-G, Mackenzie Carpenter)

Take it or leave it, Pittsburgh. It would be an interesting, exciting four years in which a lot of things would be possible.

"No one rushes to the front row in this business," notes City Council President Doug Shields. "I told Patrick, 'The faster you go, the slower it gets.'" (ibid)

That's the conundrum, Doug. If you wait in line, pay your dues and advance in a politically correct manner, are you still going to be worth a fig to anyone once you do take the helm? Will you have retained any dynamism, independence and idealism?

It's audacity that's on the menu these days.