And Here I Thought He Never Met a Camera He Didn't Like...

I've made no bones about how I feel about Luke Ravenstahl as Mayor. One of the things that has particularly annoyed me about him is that you can count on him to be arm in arm with any actress that happens to visit Pittsburgh (Sarah Jessica Parker, Sienna Miller, etc.), at any parade (or late night talk show), at any big sporting event (U.S. Open, Steelers games, etc.), and seemingly any place where filming was taking place. Look up "media whore" in the dictionary and you'll likely see a big picture of Ravenstahl.

But it seems he's found a camera he doesn't like: at any mayoral debate, one of which was scheduled to take place on KDKA last Wednesday evening. KDKA postponed the debate, citing logistical difficulties in airing the memorial event for the fallen police officers and also wanting to put "some time between the coverage of this emotional story and the debate." However, KDKA steadfastly denies that the debate was canceled: "It was our intention to postpone the debate and reschedule it, not to cancel it." (italics mine)

Now according to today's article in the Post-Gazette, Ravenstahl's camp said there wasn't time in Ravenstahl's schedule to fit it in. Patrick Dowd, the City Councilman who's running against Ravenstahl, scoffed at this excuse, saying, "I have a busy schedule. I have five children. My wife has a job. I have a job. Who's he kidding that he doesn't have enough time?" Dowd pointed to Ravenstahl's having time to meet with potential campaign funders, while accusing him of not attending community-oriented meetings. He added "that a mayor who has never run in a contested primary is using last week's tragedy to avoid a discussion about public safety and other critical issues facing our city is an absolute outrage."

Ravenstahl responded with both guns blazing: "I find [Dowd's] comments disgusting, offensive, and completely out of line. Pittsburgh deserves an apology. Shame on you, Patrick."

Ravenstahl can name call all he wants, but this is the second time he has ducked out of a debate this election season. Last month, the Post-Gazette invited Ravenstahl to participate in a town hall-style debate and he declined the invitation (maybe he heard Rihanna was in town?); Dowd accepted the P-G's invitation.

I think Dowd should get campaign t-shirts (or pins) printed saying "Where's Luke?" sort of like the "Where's Waldo?" artwork, because it seems that this is one camera Ravenstahl is fighting hard to avoid.