Recent Comments
Re: “War of words escalating in final days of mayoral campaign”
Wheatley is polling at 8% and is partially (somewhat significantly) bankrolled by Chairman Ravenstahl, who is also running the campaign's most desperate and silly attack ads against Peduto. And he's part of Ravenstahl's Stadium Authority, and has toed the line on its exclusionary development practices. So you figure it out. Peduto actually has put forward more concrete proposals for addressing segregated opportunity in Pittsburgh than has Wheatley. That's one real reason Ravenstahl hates Peduto so much, that and the corruption allegations Wheatley has never bothered to make about this administration, scandal-plagued and stained though it has been.
I believe Pittsburgh is going to see a black Mayor in my lifetime, maybe soon, but in my opinion State Rep. Jake Wheatley does not remotely have the stuff.
Re: “On social issues, mayoral candidates have similar positions, but different histories”
The preceding two comments is a perfect example of why many pick and choose only to listen to Democrats. Transgender is most definitely not "gay". I doubt bi individuals identify as gay either. And the I-know-better attitude on issues of others' self-identification isn't appropriate.
Re: “Analyzing Keystone Analytics”
Chris, what's your explanation for 2005? Did John Kerry energize the young people in a way that carried over to the spring?
Re: “Analyzing Keystone Analytics”
Keystone Politics (a blog not to be confused with the outfit Keystone Analytics) points out that KA projects 18-34 year olds will make up 7% of the electorate next Tuesday, when they have comprised 12 and 13% of it in 2005 and 2009 respectively. Percentages being what they are, that means more mature groups are also being overrepresented in the poll. That doesn't mean KA is skewing things intentionally, but it's an odd decision on their part meriting an ask.
Peduto's base has enough experience with Ravenstahl that it is inoculated against complacency.
Re: “Wheatley spokesman on Luke's $10k gift: "We were just as surprised as anybody"”
Walking like a duck (Wheatley and staff assailing Peduto while ignoring Wagner) and quacking like a duck (funded by Ravenstahl who is also running attack ads on Peduto). That's a duck... specifically, a duckling trailing behind this lame duck regime.
Re: “Mayoral campaign about to get next-level?”
Wagner's numbers must be in the very bottom of the sewer if they're trying this. And a Republican ad company, I now understand? Enjoy your spending your money I guess.
Re: “Election Day thoughts”
As you mostly acknowledge, there are a lot of shades between smurfishness and monstrousness, and it's probably not even a one-dimensional spectrum. Traditional machine politicos love nothing more than to insist that in order to be consistent, progressives must forever be lying down, rolling over and exposing their abdomens. They usually complain about it with half a smile and a twinkle in their eye, as though they remember fondly what progressive entrails taste like.
Look to Shrek. Some monsters are loving and noble.