Why is it not considered an objective fact -- and a really important one -- that Jack Wagner took over Luke Ravenstahl's campaign?
Here is an easy-to-see list of Wagner endorsers who previously (who in past campaigns and in this very race!) supported our wonderful, wonderful Mayor. The list also comprises all of Jack Wagner's significant support.
State Sen. Jim Ferlo (reappointed by Ravenstahl to URA board)
Council President Darlene Harris (appointed teenage Ravenstahl to Dem committee)
Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess
Administration #3 Official Paul McKrell
Director of Public Works Rob Kaczorowski
Fraternal Order of Police Local 1
Firefighters Local 1
Operating Engineers Local 66
Greater PA Regional Council of Carpenters
Steamfitters Local 449
IBEW Local 5
Former mayor Sophie Masloff Does this sound like change anybody is supposed to credit as actual?
And now Luke is running literal swift boat ads against Wagner's sole significant opponent. And Wagner thinks he can just innocently criticize them both for being "immature".
It's insulting to every Pittsburgher's intelligence.
It's a scandal.
(Sources: MayorLuke.com, JackWagner.org, Early Returns, P-G)
Simply because Mr. Peduto's almost 20 years in city govt has landed him very few city allies is not a Jack Wagner's fault. The fact that city and local leaders who were aligned with the mayor have chosen Mr. Wagner goes back to Peduto's in ability to work with others. Once again, you are being very disingenuous! You are swift boating Mr. Wagner! You are very progressive Mr. Reichblum. the Alinskyites are proud of you!
ReplyDelete"Very few allies?" Have you missed Dowd, Rudiak, Kraus, Costa, Frankel, Robinson, Fitzgerald, and Shealey? I.e. "the New Coalition"? ... and rest assured if I ever "swift boat" anybody, I'll do it clearly and transparently under my own name and not hire unAmerican GOP bottomfeeders.
DeleteWhich members of the current Administration do you wish to keep?
DeleteI suspect that they do not wish to work with Peduto because they will not get away with as much power-mongering as they do now. There is quite a self-serving little oligarchy functioning in the Mayor's office now. Those same individuals are now backing Wagner.
Again, which ones do you want to keep?
^^^ THIS
DeleteYou know, I'm also going to respond to being called "disingenuous"... this was a pretty straightforward post, all the facts are iron clad and completely salient to the direction of the City... on what are you basing your charge of "disingenuous"? And how do you sleep at night?
DeleteOne other thing, for those who have heeded Council President Harris' call that Bill Peduto doesn't share the playpen. Darlene Harris rarely goes to another Councilperson's office, she asks that they come to her. Which might be okay (a little selfish), but she chain-smokes in her office. One would think that she could go to another office so the other person could avoid the stink. She fools herself that her little candles and stinkpots cover the smell.
DeleteAdditionally, her opinion is based on Peduto's butt rarely being in the chair in his office. Being possibly the most electronically connected Councilperson, one of the most involved in his district, and maybe the biggest workaholic, why does she feel he needs to be sitting there at the desk all the time? He is available. His door is always open. Her doors are always shut, and sometimes locked.
Let's not forget billboard company executives...
ReplyDeleteThere are 18 more candidate forums at which folks can watch the candidates. WQED posted their Forum videos on line.
When watching the candidates, folks should imagine each candidate as the Mayor, out in the street when a landslide occurs; seeing that the roads are plowed in an orderly fashion; mandating specific policy for our police force; speaking for our City to the rest of the world in a bright, open-arms way.
Making Pittsburgh once again a leader in modern activity among the cities of the world.
Bram, you are sort of right, but the error you make is critical. Luke is not Jack and Jack is not an extension of Luke. Far from it. Jack wanted to run against Luke and was trying to figure out how. The two are totally separate and actually don't really like each other. Where you are correct though is that the vast majority of Luke supporters are behind Wagner. Those supporters preferred that Luke take a hike, but certainly don't want Bill in office. Jack is the logical choice. That has nothing to do though with any sort of conspiracy between Luke and Jack, but more of just Jack being the logical landing place for the various interests that want a business friendly city.
ReplyDeleteYou write, "Those supporters preferred that Luke take a hike" -- I cannot co-sign that, seeing as how they were enthusiastic supporters before Luke dropped out and were somewhat blindsided by the drop-out. I also believe "business friendly" can mean a whole ton of different things. Nate Harper was described by everyone he worked with as friendly.
DeleteI do realize they are two distinct human beings with two different personalities. Bodyguards, I imagine, would be less of an issue with Jack. But as I'll further explain in a next post, the fact that their political base of support is near-identical is significant. These are all the folks who fear that without a mayor like Luke or Jack in important like-respects, they'll lose their power and privileges over government. They'll lose the entrenched stability they feel they need to get by. And they'll lose the ability to be left alone and pandered to under leadership that doesn't possess much of a transformative, ambitious agenda besides getting to be Mayor of it. You'd be surprised how many people I talk to who have praised Luke's literal lack of leadership as a good thing, it lets "people do what they want to do, get what they want to get..."
Let me underline that: Nate Harper was considered friendly largely because he hardly disciplined his department and was open-handed doing favors for his friends and others around him. It happens elsewhere in the City under the auspecies of "business friendly": URA, BBI, public works. Sometimes being friendly is just letting a department run the way it's been run for 50 years. It's all gotta stop.
DeleteI had the opportunity to go to a meeting in the early 90's with a developer when Wagner was on council. As a young professional I had never witnessed the old boy network at work. Fast forward to recent years and meetings with Peduto and his staff...Professional, attentive and interested in ideas not self interested deals. It is so depressing to watch Wagner play this game with Lukes resources, especially when the press buys into much of it. What has happened to Rich Lord's good work?
ReplyDeleteJack Wagner was gearing up to run against Luke in the general election. The North (Luke) vs. South (Jack) as well as the ages and experiences are not similar.
ReplyDeleteIMNSO, Luke's resources are mostly idle at this point in time, as they are matched with a near equal weight in liabilities.
Says who? About the general election, that is.
DeleteMark, I'm not talking about neighborhoods so much as inside vs outside. We're all Pittsburghers, what matters is are the building trades and burn & churn developers going to have a stranglehold on development and infrastructure policy. And how do you figure Luke is idle?? Those tv commercials don't come cheap, and that's only the part of the beast we see above water...
DeleteHe spent $30k, 3% of his potential? He is staying out of the spotlight. = mostly idle.
DeletePeduto has been a TIF magnet. The infrastructure stranglehold is questioned. Plus, the building trades are not with so much power. They could not sway votes on the school board about Schenley recently. Can't make much out of those distinctions,
DeleteCould Mark or somebody answer my question? I know it is widely known that Wagner was considering the general election, but it seems to be at least as likely as not that he was considering a run only if Luke lost and to stay out if Luke one. Am I wrong is this assumption?
DeleteMH - My sense is it's legit that Wagner was angling towards running against Luke in the general, but only because A) he'd wouldn't have to distinguish himself among challengers like Peduto and B) could feel free to mop up the GOP voters to which he appeals. I don't knock him for not "liking" Luke, I knock him for wanting simply to take over his spot atop the crusty Tammany Hall coalition.
DeleteThank you. And agreed.
DeleteOnly 30k? How many times has the spot run and what is the cost per? Even with that I don't think running the first 3rd party ad in Pittsburgh's mayoral history is keeping a low profile and I highly doubt he won't run several spots closer to the primary.
ReplyDeleteMarty Griffin KDKA (CMU Alumni) recently attacked free speech...relentlessly on Face-Book: Naked CMU Pope. (Never underestimate the hypocrisy of the Media)
ReplyDeleteHe has also attacked: My Rebutal. (3 Day Face Book Suspension). :)
Monk....
Now you're stuck with me...Comet. My gut tells me Peduto. As a Repubican, I haven't a dog in the race...
Deletemonk
That's my gut too... Even now. Jack's got a mile-wide inch-deep thing going on.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletePlease explain Community Standards to me Bram?
ReplyDeletemonk
just picked up the early Post gazette . they endorsed Jack " frigging" Wagner . Apparently all that nothing Bill Peduto accomplished was also missed by the Post gazette! oh did I mention that the PPG. questioned Bills distance from FitzGerald. sounds like they think Bill might be Rich's tool or fool. That post gazette is rife with corruption anyhow. who wants their endorsement when you came in second ( again) with the minority coalition
ReplyDeleteGuess I'll have to get around to addressing that curious endorsement soon... It was interesting that it dealt with character qualities and not wither policy issues or with the patronage / machine culture we know the P-G in its finer moments opposes.
DeleteThey also endorsed Corbett for Governor....
DeleteAnd he won... But they did endors that loser of a Presidnt we now have
DeleteI'm waiting to see the FB comments from Ravenstahl.
DeleteDo you trust KDKA with Mayor's Race Coverage?
ReplyDeletemonk
Shorter Post-Gazette Mayoral Endorsement:
ReplyDeleteRavenstahl's a putz and Peduto rightfully opposed him, but that proves he can't work well with Ravenstahl's minions on Council so you shouldn't vote for him. Wagner contemplated maybe running against Ravenstahl in the fall but wouldn't jump into the primary until Ravenstahl dropped out which proves how brave Wagner is and how unconnected to the Ravenstahl crowd he is so you should vote for him. Also, Wagner works well with Republicans so he will work well with Council which is all Democrats. Policies? We don't need no stinkin' polices. The End.
I feel for the scribes that had to put those vapid Wagnerstahl talking points into their own voice.
DeleteThey basically just quoted the Committee for a Better Pittsburgh's ad in the next to the last paragraph.
DeleteOnce again ms. 2pj had to come over to the comet to engage someone in dialogue cuz no one does at the 2pj...the land of no comments
DeleteAnd it's a good thing she did, because her two comments saved Bram the trouble of a post on the endorsement. She just nailed it to the wall in seven sentences.
DeleteSince she's trying for a "shorter" parody of the endorsement, Maria leaves out (1) the Post-Gazette's concern that Peduto is too far in hock to Fitzgerald and his backers (and they're not a "network," oh my no!) and (2) the disclaimer that she's getting paid by the Peduto campaign. Because you know, transparency and stuff.
DeleteProbably no one reading this at this point who doesn't know that I've been blogging at Peduto's website for a couple of years now and I comment under my actual name but there's also this: http://www.blogger.com/profile/10439330154875628083
DeletePeduto gave Rich Fitzgerald a big enthiastic thumbs up to the progressives hordes in Fitz's race against Mark Patrick Flaherty. If anything, ironically, Fitzgearld "in hock" to Peduto.
DeleteStill trying to sell the tail wagging the dog?
Deletehahahahhhahahahah
ReplyDeleteYes, Anon 11:39 PM, it's a real shame that no one let's us dialogue, well no one except of course PCNC, WQED, KDKA Radio, etc.
ReplyDeleteHey now I feel bad. ;)
Deletelol
DeleteOh please Maria CNN has Toure and Rachel Maddow, we have you and David!
ReplyDeleteI mean c'mon PCNC had that fool McIntire on and he hasn't worked since, except for something in the " seen column" where he gets a stipend and a free meal. WQED, public leftist broadcasting. don't you get it, that's affirmative action work! Just another federal hand out to leftist activists. What I love is that one of the most liberal newspapers in the country, after 12 years on council, have decided that Bill P is not ready to take the next step. Honestly, they would probably love to, but even they have their limits. Now Bram will piss and moan all week about this. Whats great about this is you lefties all thought you had this tied up. The PPG would go to Bill and Jack would get the Trib. Funny the Post is in lock step with the various comments I've seen in the last week or so pointing out Your candidate's glaring deficiencies. Divisive, inexperienced ( never city council Prez) no administrative experience, beholden to a political patron, and as we see from his campaign, a man who will make hasty statements to malign his opponent in spite of the truth. Peduto is a leftist; Pittsburgh deserves better!
I wasn't aware that transparency, efficiency and opposition to thievery were "leftist" values.
Delete"Oh please Maria CNN has Toure and Rachel Maddow..." MSNBC is going to be pissed when they find out they've gone to the other side. ;-)
DeleteBram, apparently transparency, efficiency and opposition to thievery are also "divisive." Need I remind citizens that the majority of City Council contained Bill Peduto in very many votes and on very many issues, until Darlene Harris sold out to be elected President again.
DeleteThe Mayor was the one who would not implement anything passed by Council - even down to spaying and neutering animals because Darlene Harris wanted it. Even to recycling asphalt because Darlene Harris wanted it. Tracking snow plowing because Bill Peduto wanted it.
When Council rejected selling out to Wall Street, the Mayor had to play games and keep them sitting in Council Chambers on New Year's Eve lest the Mayor screw up what they'd voted.
Now that there are only four Councilpersons of the nine keeping common sense in mind, it's suddenly a detriment to be against that brand of thinking?
Members of Council who sell out to a mayor have a mindset of selling out, whether or not they are getting services in return for selling out. It shouldn't matter who the mayor is. Therefore, playing well with others should be off the table.
Duh...not much different except the letters
ReplyDeleteBram - you are better than this. They both have past democrat political lifers on their teams (e.g. former Director of Public Works = Peduto Campaign Manager).
ReplyDeleteWhile Luke may be exercising his right to free speech, you have YET to show an actual link between him and the Wagner campaign. All you offer is your speculation.
Screams of desperation in supporting a losing campaign.
Right, Anon 8:22. The two campaigns have nothing in common. Ravenstahl is exercising his right to free speech in $50,000 increments against Wagner's opponent NOT because his administration is openly supporting Wagner, and NOT because city workers are being told "No would has to worry, nothing will change, business as usual if Wagner gets in."
DeleteLuke's just spending money doing what he planned on doing if he was still in the race. if BP had won the PPG S endorsement that all we would be hearing from you !
ReplyDeleteTried that with Dowd in '09. Didn't amount to anything. Wagner earned only a weak endorsement and remarkably dissonant. If Team Wagner circulates pictures of that editorial widely enough, it might be good for half a percent. Unfortunate, but marginal. This isn't 1950. The Republicans in town that are part of Wagner's coalition got together and convinced the publisher that a progressive mayor would be bad for its advertisers. It's a faulty assumption, but they don't realize that yet. No big deal. Pittsburghers know Bill Peduto already, and his message carries.
DeleteI love the spin! Now that the local progressive leftist newspaper has embraced another candidate, it's value is worth half of a percent! And I love that you have all the answers! The GOP got Wagner the endorsement!! Having been in the race far less than the 7 years of Bill Peduto, Wagner still got the endorsement over Peduto! You can't comprehend that so you make up stuff to make yourself and the Pedutistas feel better because that's what it all about, the feeling! The maligning and out right lies that you promote is sadly showing more of your lack of character. And with that I bid this classless blog a fond adieu... Too bad you don't discuss national politics, I'd love to hear your spinon the new info regarding Benghazi and how your gutless president and that old burned out housewife clinton allowed 4 Americans to die!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to have just absorbed a character aspersion from someone referencing in the same exclamatory breath "that old burned out housewife" Hillary Clinton. I'm sorry I haven't heard the latest on Benghazi. Now, if I could just quit procrastinating and write my next post, "Why confronting the machine matters" (or something like that), I would have you so toasted right now... but you're leaving... Arrivederci!
Delete"crusty Tammany Hall coalition"
ReplyDeleteYou have got to be kidding!
http://publicsource.org/investigations/peduto-says-public-works-retaliated-for-criticism
DeleteAt 7:13 a.m., 8:54 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Tuesday, Gilman received emails from Kaczorowski.
In the first email, part of a string that had “paper street article” in the subject line, Kaczorowski said, without elaborating, “Another BS statement …” He then said, “On another front, sorry to inform you but after second thought Sellers may not be paved this year until the catch basin issue is resolved.”
In the second email, Kaczorowski ruled out the possibility of paving Kittanning this year. “Not able to add to this year’s list,” he said, referring to the citywide paving list.
In the third email, referencing traffic safety meetings for Central Catholic and Matthews Marking Products that had been scheduled for 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. next Tuesday, Kaczorowski said, “Unfortunately, we will need to officially cancel these meetings at this time.”
And don't make Audrey get back on here and talk about moving money from North Side projects (ACCBO) because Councilwoman Harris opposed the parking lease and some signs.
DeleteIt's perilous for Peduto to run against Luke Ravenstahl. It brings out Bill's shrill side - something that will not play well for those undecideds that are outside of the Twitterverse. Luke had a lot of support until recently that Bill did not. I don't see those folks going to Bill's camp unless he focuses more on Wagner himself...he's got a lot of minds to change.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to take this moment to calmly point out that on May 8th in City Council there was all kinds of contention and confusion, and Councilman Bill Peduto found a way to offer an amendment to the legislation on the table that served make things okay, and enable a vote on the legislation that would help implement a new program to assist police with dealing with domestic violence calls, and at the same time serve to preserve an important ordinance passed in 2007 that was at risk under the bills on the table.
ReplyDeleteBill Peduto crafted the amendment and presented it. Councilman Burgess accepted it as a "friendly amendment." It passed 8-0.
If that isn't an ability to build consensus, I don't know what is.