Pepper Meets Flakes

As I joined the crowd of bloggers and indie-media types that accumulated for the meeting with mayoral candidate David Pepper it occurred to me that on strictly visual terms we don't make a very impressive group. The mainstream press has a reputation for being a little scruffy - but the "alt-press" looks like they're going to ask you if you know anyone who is holding.

Don't get me wrong, I include myself in their number - and I don't make a very good pseudo- journalist myself. I kept on feeling a strange compulsion to ask Pepper vague questions like "Why on earth do you want to bother being mayor?" Or "What was the most difficult job you ever held?" Or "Where do you want to be in 20 years?" These inquiries can spur some revalations if posed to ordinary people in the context of a job interview. But any experienced politician will answer in smooth, ingratiating tones - saying all of the right things.

So Pepper got asked about campaign finance, the system of city government in Cincinnati, and his plan for public safety and downtown. Too often the conversation spiraled back towards topics that seem secondary - the personalities of council members, the technical details of taxation. I think the public would benefit from knowing if candidates have the leadership skills necessary to take on an executive role and push through an agenda that clearly addresses real issues. (Maybe I'm old-fashioned like that.)

Pepper appears to have an actual plan. He has some answers on safety and development. I'm not sure yet if he has the perfect combination of leadership skills; although I was impressed with his adept answers to some of the screwball questions. His body language betrayed a certain nervousness (leaning back, fidgeting) - but he always answered without losing his cool. I suppose this is the result of a great deal of practice in public council meetings, where shouters and kooks are too often granted a microphone.

My neighborhood has too many closed shop fronts. My nieghborhood has too few families on the sidewalks. But my neigborhood does have people that want to make the city strong and vibrant. Can Pepper, or any candidate, step up and take full advantage of that?

More coverage of this event at The Dean's website.