Use the Force, Luke
The City of Pittsburgh has a chance do something the Pirates can't do. Build with youth.
Most residents don't realize it is the city's chance to begin building from youth - like the Penguins are doing. The tragic death of Mayor Bob O'Connor forced this to be Luke Ravenstahl's tryout. The voter's will decide if he makes the team permanently, or gets voted off Herr's Island.
Either way, Luke has the chance to make political hay. He can constantly evoke the memory of Bob O'Connor, yet excite the youth base that has never had a rallying point that they could identify with. With the spirit of "throw-the-bums-out" attitude Pennsylvania voters displayed in response to the Capital Cash Grab, Pittsburgh area voters are sick of Luke's "adult supervision on City Council."
Consider Ravenstahl's guest spot on Thursday's "Late Show" with David Letterman his first campaign commercial. That's equivalent to about $1.6 million in free commercial time. Don't forget the two minutes of live airtime on CNN and a front page article on Saturday's New York Times.
On Letterman's show he'll get Pittsburgh noticed, get name recognition with the locals, and he'll introduce himself to the younger crowd. The kind of kids that could identify Paul Shafer's bald head quicker than embittered councilman Jim Motznik's dome. Meet the new boss.
Legendary rock band, The Who, is scheduled to be Letterman's musical guest the night Luke is in the house. It would be ironic if they played "My Generation" ...People try to put us down/talkin' bout my generation/just because we get around...
3,000 motiviated 18-to-25-year old voters on a rainy day is not too much to deliver a special election - or a primary in Pittsburgh.
Penguins fans will judge Ravenstahl by his commitment to the Isle of Capri plan for a new arena. No one expected it to shape an election. The plan was for Ed Rendelphia to be the newly elected governor for four more years and O'Connor three years away from an election. O'Connor's death may have altered "the fix that was in."
Ravenstahl has clearly been on the record in support of the IOC:
Excerpt from TribLive.com article by Jeremy Boren
"""In a major departure from O'Connor, Ravenstahl said he'll continue to support gambling company Isle of Capri -- one of three bidders for Pittsburgh's lone slots casino license, which the state Gaming Control Board is expected to award in December.
"I'm not changing my position," said Ravenstahl. "I still support Isle of Capri."
O'Connor had refused to support any of the three companies vying for the license.
Isle of Capri wants to build a casino in the Hill District. Forest City Enterprises/Harrah's Entertainment wants to build one in Station Square, and PITG Gaming of Detroit wants to put one on the North Shore.
Ravenstahl said he favors Biloxi-Miss.-based Isle of Capri because it would spend $290 million to build a new hockey arena.
"We need to do what it is we can to make sure the Penguins stay here," Ravenstahl said.""""
If Luke continues to support the IOC plan he should expect many loyalty votes from Penguins fans - even if IOC is not selected by the State Gaming Commision. Independent polls suggest Pittsburgh's voter's support the IOC plan over the two others. Voters who favor the other plans hardly register a blip on the political radar. Clinton went after the Soccer Mom vote and Ravenstahl would go after the hockey fan vote.
Despite the second-to-last place finish, the Penguins played to 93% capacity in the old Mellon Arena. That was the highest increase league-wide. Faithful fans = faithful voters.
Ravenstahl is not only young enough to play for the Penguins, he's old enough to save them.
CNN described Ravenstahl as "Pittsburgh's New Hope" and the "Young Man of Steel." Those could not only be one of Luke's campign slogans, but could also rival the Penguins' "Boys of Winter" ad campaign in the '80s.
We'd vote for "The Kids Are Alright"
Most residents don't realize it is the city's chance to begin building from youth - like the Penguins are doing. The tragic death of Mayor Bob O'Connor forced this to be Luke Ravenstahl's tryout. The voter's will decide if he makes the team permanently, or gets voted off Herr's Island.
Either way, Luke has the chance to make political hay. He can constantly evoke the memory of Bob O'Connor, yet excite the youth base that has never had a rallying point that they could identify with. With the spirit of "throw-the-bums-out" attitude Pennsylvania voters displayed in response to the Capital Cash Grab, Pittsburgh area voters are sick of Luke's "adult supervision on City Council."
Consider Ravenstahl's guest spot on Thursday's "Late Show" with David Letterman his first campaign commercial. That's equivalent to about $1.6 million in free commercial time. Don't forget the two minutes of live airtime on CNN and a front page article on Saturday's New York Times.
On Letterman's show he'll get Pittsburgh noticed, get name recognition with the locals, and he'll introduce himself to the younger crowd. The kind of kids that could identify Paul Shafer's bald head quicker than embittered councilman Jim Motznik's dome. Meet the new boss.
Legendary rock band, The Who, is scheduled to be Letterman's musical guest the night Luke is in the house. It would be ironic if they played "My Generation" ...People try to put us down/talkin' bout my generation/just because we get around...
3,000 motiviated 18-to-25-year old voters on a rainy day is not too much to deliver a special election - or a primary in Pittsburgh.
Penguins fans will judge Ravenstahl by his commitment to the Isle of Capri plan for a new arena. No one expected it to shape an election. The plan was for Ed Rendelphia to be the newly elected governor for four more years and O'Connor three years away from an election. O'Connor's death may have altered "the fix that was in."
Ravenstahl has clearly been on the record in support of the IOC:
Excerpt from TribLive.com article by Jeremy Boren
"""In a major departure from O'Connor, Ravenstahl said he'll continue to support gambling company Isle of Capri -- one of three bidders for Pittsburgh's lone slots casino license, which the state Gaming Control Board is expected to award in December.
"I'm not changing my position," said Ravenstahl. "I still support Isle of Capri."
O'Connor had refused to support any of the three companies vying for the license.
Isle of Capri wants to build a casino in the Hill District. Forest City Enterprises/Harrah's Entertainment wants to build one in Station Square, and PITG Gaming of Detroit wants to put one on the North Shore.
Ravenstahl said he favors Biloxi-Miss.-based Isle of Capri because it would spend $290 million to build a new hockey arena.
"We need to do what it is we can to make sure the Penguins stay here," Ravenstahl said.""""
If Luke continues to support the IOC plan he should expect many loyalty votes from Penguins fans - even if IOC is not selected by the State Gaming Commision. Independent polls suggest Pittsburgh's voter's support the IOC plan over the two others. Voters who favor the other plans hardly register a blip on the political radar. Clinton went after the Soccer Mom vote and Ravenstahl would go after the hockey fan vote.
Despite the second-to-last place finish, the Penguins played to 93% capacity in the old Mellon Arena. That was the highest increase league-wide. Faithful fans = faithful voters.
Ravenstahl is not only young enough to play for the Penguins, he's old enough to save them.
CNN described Ravenstahl as "Pittsburgh's New Hope" and the "Young Man of Steel." Those could not only be one of Luke's campign slogans, but could also rival the Penguins' "Boys of Winter" ad campaign in the '80s.
We'd vote for "The Kids Are Alright"
posted by Igloo Insider at 11:50 PM
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