Dear Politically Savvy Friends,
Election Day 2007 may prove to be anti-climatic, particularly since almost everyone thinks Luke Ravenstahl will win election to serve out the term of the late Mayor Bob O'Connor as mayor of Pittsburgh.
Republican Mark DeSantis, however, has surprised almost everyone with a stronger-than-expected campaign, rooted both in some Democratic discontent with Ravenstahl's performance and DeSantis' own articulate position on issues. On economic issues, DeSantis is clearly the more conservative of the two candidates, but he is much more liberal on hot-button social issues than Ravenstahl.
That makes DeSantis a serious challenger in certain parts of the city like Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Point Breeze where Democrats like their Democrats to be pro-choice and pro-gay rights. But carrying the 14th Ward and even the 7th or 11th Wards would hardly be enough for DeSantis to win the mayor's office.
DeSantis needs two things to happen: traditional Democrats (many socially conservative) need to reject Luke by either voting for Mark or skipping this race and Republicans (nearly 25,000 of them) need to show up to vote, something they do not often do in this overwhelmingly Democratic city.
The most likely outcome is that Luke wins, but here the issue becomes: Is the Election Over or Just Beginning?
By all accounts, Ravenstahl should do at least as well as Bob O'Connor did two years ago. After all, O'Connor coming off a divisive Democratic primary against two strong Democrats, Bill Peduto and Michael Lamb, cruised to a 67% win in November 2005. Ravenstahl, who had no Democratic opposition last spring, should get at least that.
If Luke gets more than 67% -- indeed, if he breaks into the 70% range where many of us thought he would be last spring -- then he sends a strong signal to fellow Democrats that the NEXT real election (the Democratic mayoral primary) 18 months from now is going to be pretty solid for Ravenstahl.
In contrast, the closer DeSantis holds Ravenstahl's margin to 60%, the greater the likelihood that the next 18 months will be all about which Dems are positioned to take Luke on in May 2009. If Luke falls below 60%, watch for the spin to be that he really lost by winning, setting himself up for opposition for the next two years, perhaps even a rematch against DeSantis in 2009.
I cannot predict this election. Bad weather might keep only the most hearty and devoted voter from voting -- but does that favor Ravenstahl with support from traditional Democrats who always vote or DeSantis whose voters, arguably, are more committed than Luke's? Stay tuned, but surely as the sun comes up on Wednesday, we will have a story to tell.
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5 comments:
Ravenstahl got 63% of the vote in my poll via phone. Thousands were called. I predict, sadly that Luke gets between 63 and 65%.
Nice name drop of Lamb in your post. That is the most blogging he has done since May.
Do nothing politicians and journalist have killed this region.
My poll shows 38% of the voters were undecided about the controller's race. Failure at your doorstep, Jon.
Did you watch my DVD?
http://republicansforravenstahl.blogspot.com/
I wonder about the unions. Some of them have been somewhat standoff-ish towards the Mayor. If they with-hold their services for getting out the vote (driving people to the polls, calling to make sure people voted) and with the predicted bad weather, that could have an adverse effect on the incumbent.
One element of "the perfect storm" does not seem to be materializing. The Steelers are up on the Ravens 35-7. The CW indicated that a Steelers loss would leave half-hearted (Ravenstahl) voters paralyzed in depression tomorrow. Perhaps the victory celebrations alone will be enough to immobilize the faint-of-will.
Turn out will probably be really low. I wouldn't be surprised if it's 50,000 to 55,000, or less. If turnout follows registration, DeSantis needs to get 33% of the Democratic vote and hold 95% of the Republican vote to win. It may happen. (Assuming equally split independents). I think it's possible, perhaps unlikely, but possible for that to happen.
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