Pennsylvania: Acklin

It ain't just a vote against Lil Mayor Luke.

A few months ago I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Franco Dok Harris. His campaign had invited a group of progressive, activist women to have a conversation with the candidate. Can anyone imagine Ravenstahl doing this kind of outreach? Yes, I guess that is rhetorical.

The endorsements that Harris have received are telling: gay rights organization Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh, the Veterans Alumni Association of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania National Organization for Women. They speak to a candidate who is truly progressive.

His platform is also progressive. First, he has a positive vision for the City of Pittsburgh, but one which recognizes the problems that we face including: violence in our neighborhoods,

While the debate between incumbent Democrat Lil Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and independents Franco Dok Harris and Kevin Acklin (moderated by Ken Rice and Jon Delano) won't air on KDKA until Noon today, you can watch it online now at:

http://kdka.com/video/?id=63992@kdka.dayport.com

Here's my thoughts on the debate:

• Lukey claims he's taking this campaign seriously, but I notice that his campaign web site appears not to have been updated since May.
• Acklin and Ravenstahl both seem to be far more up the butts of the police while Harris raises concerns about their actions during the G-20.
• Acklin mentions that he was for the expansion of an "anti-discrimination bill" up before County Council and how that cost him among Republicans but he somehow leaves out that the expansion was all about teh gays.

I was surprised while watching MSNBC this morning to see a campaign ad for Franco Dok Harris. For a couple of seconds, I thought that I was watching a local news report until I realized that I had switched from local news to cable.

Here it is:

I did receive a press release from the Acklin campaign (specifically from Chad Hermann, Communications Director) two days ago stating that Acklin purchased the first TV ad buy of the fall campaign, but I haven't actually seen his ad on the air yet (you can view it here).

Luke, your turn.

Campaign Web Sites:
http://www.harrisforpittsburgh.com
http://www.acklinforpittsburgh.com
http://lukeformayor.com
.

From Acklin for Pittsburgh:
KEVIN ACKLIN ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF VETERAN REPORTER ANDY GASTMEYER AS PRESS SECRETARY

PITTSBURGH – Independent Mayoral Candidate Kevin Acklin announced today that veteran news reporter Andy Gastmeyer will join his mayoral campaign and serve in the position of Press Secretary.

“I’m honored that someone of Andy’s impeccable reputation and journalistic integrity has agreed to join our campaign team. Andy has always been committed to making our city a better place, and I’m grateful that he’s joining our effort,” Acklin said.

“Kevin Acklin has what it takes to win this race and be a tremendous mayor for the city of Pittsburgh. I’ve covered Pittsburgh politics for many years, and I’ve seen first-hand how Grant Street runs.