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Patrick Dowd opened the doors to his Downtown office last night, but perhaps more importantly, he’s seems to be closing the door on some fears people might have had about his campaign style.
For one thing, he’s gotten a little less wonky. At his official campaign kick-off, Dowd had a tendency to wander into discursions about policy minutiae that seemed to test the patience of even die-hard supporters. He did that much less last night — and when a supporter asked about Dowd’s crusade against bond swaps at the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Dowd kept things simple, charging that the process was a risky approach to financing, without delving into the intricacies of the bond market.
And in case you were concerned that Dowd wouldn’t be willing to go after Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, give a listen to this clip, which charges the mayor with “celebrity chasing” and “pay for play” politics. (In fact, some material deemed too graphic by media executives was deleted from this track.)
In response to an audience question, Dowd also addressed his role in the closing of Schenley High School. Dowd, a former school board member, has been plagued by that move about as much as he has by his decision to remove former Superintendent John Thompson. While Dowd wasn’t on the school board at the time the controversial decision was made, he supported the move. The closing was portrayed as a veritable conspiracy in some quarters: Even though some have since forgiven him — and even though there’s been at least a bit of evidence supporting some of Dowd’s other controversial moves — Schenley continues to dog Dowd.
But Dowd fielded the question without discomfort, and the youthful crowd of about 60 was receptive. Dowd also has some events to look forward to: On April 8, he’ll be feted at an event hosted by Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, who’s a beacon to the young-at-heart in Pittsburgh political circles. The host committee also includes Shadow Lounge proprietor Justin Strong, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania public-affairs director Jodi Hirsh, and state Rep. Chelsa Wagner.
This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2009.
Who was that crazy, paranoid blogger, anyway?
I’d still be interested to hear what Dowd thinks should become of the building. I would hope he believes it should be mothballed only until we find a creative funding stream for redding it up and making it a school again — a school that is committed to both excellence and diversity (racial, economic and programmatic).
I don’t know if “forgiveness” is the right concept, but I’ve no intention to “save myself” for a candidate I agree with 100% of the time AND who has the political skills and guts and opportunity to run. The fact that he addressed Schenley at all last night, and didn’t seek to distance himself from it, was respectable — and I admire his instincts on most other issues.
I think part of the reason Ravenstahl has risen through the ranks is because too many individuals, when push comes to shove, prefer to support someone incompetent and predictable over an actual dynamic leader with ability — because that’s a scary concept, isn’t it, if that leader isn’t you personally? Well, I consider that an abdication of responsibility, and a good way to wind up in the dystopia we’re in now. Let the best man win.
Speaking of Luke’s incompetence…
http://fluke.spreadshirt.com
Potter – your new nickname, at least when I link to you on my blog, is “The King of Campaign Audio.” Great stuff.