And the Winner Is…

The initial notes from the YLC sponsored forum at up at Metroblogging. Here's my opinion of who I think came out on top of this debate.

This is the only forum I'll show up to, so today was pretty much the candidates' change to impress me. Going in, based on what I've read and researched, I was willing to toss my support in one of two directions: Karl Dean or David Briley.

Fortunately for those of us in attendance, there would be a little humor present, courtesy of longshots Kenneth Eaton and Cheryl Tisdale. So I decided what the heck; I'll open my mind and give any of these 7 folks a shot at my vote. They all would have a chance until they were eliminated, one by one:

1st Elimination: Cheryl Tisdale – I wanted to pull for her, but she didn't have enough ammo to take this one. I'm all for getting anyone involved in politics. I'm all for newcomers to the political sphere. But c'mon , Cheryl, you at least need to have something to say. I appreciate that you're an attendance officer at a school and that you don't like the way politics are done and you want to change them. But, you have to have something to say. When you're asked, "As mayor, what would you do to help with job growth?" you have to say something other than, "I think job growth is up to the individual. Everybody has to do their part at their job and do a good job." Also, Cheryl promised not to bring Nashville into the 21st century, but the 26th century. I appreciate the forward thinking, but planning like that is a little bit out of my range.

2nd Elimination: Bob Clement – Did you know that Bob used to be a Congressman? If not, he'll work that into every answer. I'm glad he's played the game on a national scale, but I don't care about that. Also, the name of the group you were speaking to was the YLC, not the DLC. I'm no Karl Rove, but I think you should know the name of the host organization if you're going to thank them from the mic. And, no one cares about your office of volunteerism. That's exactly the kind of bureaucratic fluff a Washington man would bring to Nashville.

3rd Elimination: Kenneth Eaton – I really thought ole Kenny could surprise us, but alas, he went down in flames. In his own words, he's a businessman who wants to run the city like a business. While I understand what you're saying, both Enron and Whole Foods are/were businesses. Please clarify which kind of business you'll run. And, I don't appreciate your 'no panhandling' zone. Good luck with that one.

4th Elimination – Buck Dozier – Buck, you know how to say the right things. I appreciate your native-Nashvillian status, but that does not a mayor make. You've done quite a few things and your resume is long, but we need more dreams than memories in our next mayor. You had a chance today to really lay out where you'd like things to go, but you didn't offer anything new. Sorry.

3rd Elimination – Howard Gentry – So close, Howard! You know a lot, and I believe you're a good man. But I don't think you have the ideas to step in there and bring the appropriate change to Music City. Like Buck, you're not laying out a vision for us. Everyone wants better schools and lower crime. But that's not what wins my vote. Tell me about how in 8 years I'll be walking with my kid downtown to see a baseball game in the shadow of new, green development while the small business I started is thriving and my kid's public school is tops and I have as many choices where to dine and play as any other city. Captivate and inspire me; don't placate me.

And the Winner Is – So it came down to the big two: Dean and Briley. In the back of my mind, Karl Dean always seemed more mayoral. Briley seemed cool, but young. But, it was Briley's vision that won me over.

Dean has great ideas for improving schools, growing businesses, and making Nashville a great place to live. He'd be a great mayor. But, Briley sees something. He sees something that is possible within the next 8 years. He sees a green city and he knows why our environmental awareness needs to improve. He makes me want to do my part to be a great citizen of this great city. And that's what it takes to get my vote.