Saturday, July 14, 2007

Democrats for DeSantis

Chris Schultz, who runs the Green is Good blog here (all about Clean Tech and what Pittsburgh can do), has launched a "Democrats for DeSantis" blog to support Republican mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis. Chris writes:
The city of Pittsburgh has been ruled by one party for way too long. As those of you have seen here in the city and also at the national level - when one party is in power for too long things go to shit, to put it bluntly. It is time that politics and government here in the city become more about ideas and leadership rather than party affiliation.

I'm not in the endorsement business, but I've met Mark DeSantis, and he talks as if he could have written the Manifesto for a New Pittsburgh. That impresses me. Pittsburgh's party demographics are what they are; any Republican mayoral candidate faces an enormous uphill battle. But three months remain until the election, and the public campaigning is just getting underway. Hopefully, some number of voters and the print and TV media will look beyond the Democrat v. Republican labels and beyond the usual political sniping and gossiping and see the Ravenstahl v. DeSantis contest for what it should be: a debate about the future of the region.

8 comments:

Mark Rauterkus said...

None are in the "endorsement business." When you make an endorsement -- your profits go into the toilet.

But, when nobody is in the endorsement business, everyone's profits -- and stakes in the community -- go into the toilet.

Some make endorsements. But, even the Trib has a way of NOT doing an endorsement.

Thanks for the pointer.

We all need to go out on a limb now. It is time to be more free with opinions on politics.

Schultz said...

Mark - speaking of endorsements - I'm not sure I know where you stand on endorsing DeSantis for Mayor. On the one hand you give him advice or "pointers", but on the other hand you doubt he has enough knowledge of city government to speak of throughout 8 debates. I am endorsing change and more progress here in Pittsburgh, and therefore I am endorsing DeSantis.

Where do you stand?

Anonymous said...

I so want to believe in Desantis and the time has never been better for change at city hall, but getting out of the gate has been very slow for Desantis. To slow ! He has to inform and educate then win votes. Time is very very short. Waiting around for Luke to self destruct is not going to get him votes. Mark, please get out on the streets, into the n-hoods, on the radio, and get a web site to push this information into the faces of people. Position yourself to back Luke into a hole when debate time approaches. You have to be a visable face to people that need so much reinforcemnet and newspaper articles won't cut it. Door to door baby and now !!

Anonymous said...

Out of the gates? He needs to get out of the Pennsylvanian. :)

I remember in 2005, seeing Bob O'Connor standing on a wee little traffic island at the corner of Murray and Forward (near the parkway exit) with a huge campaign sign, and an even huger cheesy grin, at 8 in the morning. It's hard to remain cynical about a politician when you see that spectacle.

Schultz said...

I remember seeing O'Connor doing that as well, in the same spot - during the week of the election. Folks - it is July. As some have already said he is already more visible than any other Republican candidate at this point in the game in recent history.

Schultz said...

I agree about DeSantis needing to get out of the gates but he just started to form his campaign team less than two weeks ago. He has to raise money - which he is already in the process of doing, and he has to announce more details on his ideas and proposals for the big issues.

I heard him mention that he plans on detailing some of his positions to the media soon. I hope to post them to my blog as soon as they are released.

Mark Rauterkus said...

Here is where I stand in mid July, with a two weeks or so until I can file for getting onto the ballot myself for mayor -- or not.

DeSantis has a LONG way to go. I'd love to see him on the route, kicking up some dust, more.

Ravenstahl isn't what Pittsburgh needs. There is no way I'd be a supporter of Luke's for the mayor's race in a DeSantis vs. Ravenstahl show down.

I think this is a very bad year to be a Republican -- unless you are a Ron Paul Republican. Then, this is a great year to be a Ron Paul / libertarian / Republican. To get my 'endorsement' and 'additional trust' I'm waiting to see what unfolds. DeSantis should be critical of the neo-cons. DeSantis should be against the patriot act (Tom Ridge-ish) and the advancement of the surveillance society.

I don't want to run for mayor this year. I want DeSantis to be the white knight in shinning armor. However, I want to be honest too. Falsehoods will get less respect.

So, Go Mark D, Go, already. Go, go, go! When do we go again?

Anonymous said...

http://republicansforravenstahl.blogspot.com/