The Luke Election

As the attention of the nation turns toward the April 22 primary election In Pennsylvania, local officials soak up the media spotlight. It seems like the candidates roll through town every few days with the Pennsylvania governor, the county commissioner and other guests in tow.

If it's a Hillary Clinton stop in Pittsburgh, chances are Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will be there. Our mayor has become one of Clinton's key backers in Pennsylvania. But what political clout does he bring to Clinton?

Ravenstahl won a seat on the Pittsburgh City Council at age 23 and became the default council president two years later when rival factions could not agree on any other leader. In 2006, Mayor Bob O'Connor died of brain cancer, and Ravenstahl, then 26, by law became his successor.

Revensthal represents a city who despite best efforts, the population is shrinking, and more than 20 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Yet Clinton credited Ravenstahl for helping "reenergize Pittsburgh." While it is proper to be polite to your host, I can't help but wonder of Hillary and Luke really understand this city?

During his 18 months in office, Ravenstahl kept the Penguin's here. He balanced the budget with state oversight. He cut city spending and helped promote new housing developments downtown. He recently announced an ambitious plan to make Pittsburgh more efficient by combining city and county governments. Thumbs up!

On the other hand, he used his status as mayor to talk his way into a photo opportunity with Tiger Woods at last year's U.S. Open. He allowed two major city employers to pay his $9,000 entry fee for a charity golf tournament. In 2005, he had a verbal altercation with a police officer at Heinz Field during a Pittsburgh Steelers game. Ravenstahl borrowed a federal Homeland Security Department SUV and used it to drive friends to a Toby Keith concert. He later apologized and said he planned to keep going to concerts and bars, because "that's what 27-year-olds do, and I shouldn't be any different." Well, yes you should. You are the mayor young man! It's time to act like it.