Mallory at Sidewinders

Mark Mallory sat down with local bloggers last week to discuss his run for Cincinnati mayor. He's a natural politician, practiced at the art of storytelling, listening, and offering behind-the-scenes details about the campaign. Everyone nodded vigorously over the importance of bridging the communication gap between candidates and 'indie' media like bloggers. Efforts are underway to set up similar forums for others in the race.

As for the issues - crime, business development, the efficacy of local leadership - these are common concerns for everyone. Mallory's undeniably successful record as a Democrat in a Republican-controlled state legislature is an clear-cut asset. There is also a "throw out the bums" attitude towards city hall which works in his favor. He is an outsider with insider credibility, benefiting also from the political legacy of a father who served in Columbus for 28 years.

Mallory is quick on his feet when an issue lands on the table. I like this style myself, but I'm from the East Coast, and I'm noticed there's a "duffer" factor in Midwest politics. Folks stand back from people who seem too slick. Another potential liability might be found in a closer look at his resume. He still deserves credit for preserving funding for programs that already elicit sympathy, such as schools, arts programs, and libraries. But this seems less difficult than the battles he would face with entrenched city bureaucracies that can't ever be satisfied with their slice of the ever-dwindling revenue pie.

So it's with a funny mix of confidence, admiration, and sadism that I say I'd like to see Mallory tackle this job. I won't quite endorse him yet, since I still know very little about Pepper or Winburn. Alicia Reece fails to impress with her bland, situationally-appropriate rhetoric - the usual toothless puff about "creating opportunity". But even with her I'm willing to listen.

And I especially look forward to a serious, gloves-off debate.